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Eating Disorders: Genre Analysis of an Online Article and Film Documentary

Karyna Rodriguez

University of Texas at El Paso

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Eating Disorders: Genre Analysis of an Online Article and Film Documentary

There are many ways in which one specific topic, in this case, eating disorders, may be

presented. They can be presented via pictures, film documentaries, posters, websites,

commercials, newspaper articles or any other way related to media. Although these topics are

expressed in different genres, the core message remains the same. One way the issue of eating

disorders may be publicized is on an online article. This certain article is called ³Understanding

Eating Disorders´ and is on the website for the magazine called NIH Medline Plus. It is an

informative piece of writing that explains what an eating disorder is, whom it affects and

possible treatment methods. Another way to make this issue known is through a film

documentary called ^
 


 , incremented into six video sequences on YouTube.

^
 

 tells the story of three women whose lives have been affected by the

infamous size zero and emphasizes the complications and suffering one may endure due to their

figure of size zero. Both methods are exceptional at providing information for their audience;

however, sometimes one genre may be more effective than others.

AUDIENCE

NIH Medline Plus is a health magazine and is thus directed towards individuals who are

health conscious; this can range from adolescents to the elderly, with respect to personal beliefs

and values. The magazine may intend this information to be read by the general population in

order to become more knowledgeable and increase awareness of eating disorders. The audience

may be aware of the presence of eating disorders throughout the world but only vaguely,

knowing the general aspects of each kind. The article presents a more in depth approach towards

eating disorders while keeping it short and to the point in order to keep the readers engaged.
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^
 

 is directed towards those who strive to be size zero, mainly female

adolescents and young women. It can also be directed to the general public to increase awareness

of the health complications accompanying such a tiny size, to demonstrate the struggles of those

criticized for having a small frame and to show the pressure upon women to achieve the trend of

the supposed ideal body. The program is only about forty-five minutes long, filled with personal

comments from those affected by size zero along with those who are affected by the affected.

This personal information will help the audience to grasp an inside view on the psychological

stress resulting from eating disorders and the desire to obtain an ³ideal´ figure.

RHETORICAL ISSUES

Because this article is published in a health magazine, credibility is assumed. The

audience trusts that the information given by NIH Medline Plus is reliable. There is even a

phrase on the website that implies that all information given by the National Institutions of

Health can be trusted. It is hard to evoke emotions when an unbiased, informative piece of

information is given. Rather than evoking emotion, this article promotes awareness of the issue.

The awareness, however, depending on the individual, may cause concern to a varying degree.

Evidence in the article is given by past studies but is not credited in the article itself. The article

does include other websites offering further information on eating disorders.

In ^
 

 , credibility and evidence is derived directly from personal

experience of the three women involved in the making of the film. They share their own stories,

opinions and comments they¶ve received from their peers. This first hand experience can be

deemed reliable as to how eating disorders can affect an individual. Again, the feeling of concern
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is evoked from the film. These two specific genres are more about raising awareness than

evoking emotion, but sympathy and empathy are indeed welcome.

STRUCTURE

The online article is structured in an informative way. It is kept simple as to not distract

the audience from the information given. There is a picture on the left-hand side of a woman

with her wrists tied by a measuring tape sitting at a table with a bell pepper on the plate in front

of her. The author of this article may have considered that people frequently skim through

magazines, stopping only on the pages that stand out, such as those with pictures or prominent

phrases and quotations. The article itself is kept relatively short and to the point, focusing on

what eating disorders are, whom they affect and possible treatment methods. The length of the

article was meant to spark awareness with its information. At the end of the article, there is a box

on the bottom, right-hand corner with red letters stating the phrase ³To Find Out More,´ offering

the audience more information if that interest is sparked.

^
 

 beings with a few clips of children and adults being measured for

what may be their Body Mass Index as well as clips of children and adults exercising. This could

be a subtle message to the audience that eating disorders can affect people of all ages, even

though it is mainly seen within the years of adolescence. It then commences to express how the

current trend in the celebrity world is the desire to look thin. This introduction leads to the

presentation of the three women whose lives have been affected by size zero, one of who

developed an eating disorder, one who is criticized for being naturally thin and one who is dating

a man that has a taste for thin women. The film goes back and forth through their stories, but in
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an interesting and organized way. Even though they have different perspectives to speak of, their

stories are weaved together by their similarities.

STYLE AND LANGUAGE

³Understanding Eating Disorders´ uses an informal style of writing. It can be easily

comprehended and interpreted by the general audience. This is a good thing because if jargon

was included within the text, readers may lose interest in reading due to incomprehensible words.

Keeping the language informal will broaden the article¶s audience. The article is also kept in a

simple and generic yet effective black and white color scheme. The black letters contrasts well

among the white background, making it an easy read without any distractions. It is written direct

and to the point.

^
 

 is directed towards a more general audience than the article. It is a

British television program that is also broadcasted via YouTube in order to be watched

internationally; formal language would do no good for its ratings, as the common individual

needs a more simple vocabulary. Keeping this film documentary informal allows a broader

audience to understand what the narration is conveying as well as the stories of the three women.

The English language of the narrator and everyone else presented in the documentary is quite

easy to understand, as it is fluent. The people in the film do not speak too quickly to comprehend

nor is their accent heavy in any way that may be detrimental to the message attempted to be

conveyed.

CONCLUSION

Although there are many ways for a genre to be presented, there are some genres that are

more effective than others. It also relies, however, on how much information is given. The online
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article, ³Understanding Eating Disorders´ is more successful in conveying the message. It is

filled with more information on eating disorders as opposed to the film documentary ^
 



 , which emphasizes more on personal experiences rather than the disorders themselves.

Articles in a health magazine are very helpful pieces of information. For the most part, they are

reliable. Documentaries are helpful as well and perhaps easier to keep up with because the

audience is allowed to listen to the information rather than read it. Documentaries also offer

personal interviews, giving the audience a first hand perspective on the topic at hand. Also,

because it is aired on television and internet, it is exposed to a much larger audience. Any genre

may help spread the awareness of eating disorders or any other issue, but they are not all equally

effective.
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REFERENCES

^
 

 ÎOnline documentary]. Retrieved September 5, 2010 from

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYfJCDiQkTE

^
 

 ÎOnline documentary]. Retrieved September 5, 2010 from

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql1LFU-UgMY&feature=related

^
 

 ÎOnline documentary]. Retrieved September 5, 2010 from

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY5Y5rsUs60&feature=related

^
 

 ÎOnline documentary]. Retrieved September 5, 2010 from

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOakV5q42js&feature=related

^
 

 ÎOnline documentary]. Retrieved September 5, 2010 from

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwbyp3fvClc&feature=related

^
 

 ÎOnline documentary]. Retrieved September 5, 2010 from

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi_RKbKCVhQ&feature=related

Understanding Eating Disorders. (2008). NIH Medline Plus, 3. Retrieved September 5, 2010

from

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/spring08/articles/spring08pg17-

19.html