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Isabella Ramicone

Professor Gary Vaughn

English 2089

3 March 2017

Anorexia: The Words Behind the Illness

You noticed the unhealthy habits formed by your child. You noticed the aversion to your

cooking, the rapid weight loss, and a once bubbly and energetic personality overcome with

exhaustion and anger. The physicians confirmed what you knew to be true, but you could not

help but wonder. Wonder why societys definition of an eating disorder differs so greatly from

that of a medical professional. Why no two cases are alike and how you could have prevented

your childs suffering. In an attempt to understand, you begin your own research, seeking out

information about the disorder and its adverse effects on the body and mind. You discover an

encyclopedia of resources, from journal articles to blog posts, detailing experiences in various

formats. The results of studies are chilling, going in depth into the medical severity with terms

that ignite fear inside of you, detailing the long term effects and mortality rate. You find the

testimonials and stories moving and inspiring, showing that there is light, that one can recover

and live a full life. All of these sources seek to provide information about the unknown, whether

it be through medical studies or personal experiences.

An analysis of the sources is necessary to assay the effectiveness of the transmission of

information about eating disorders. The vast information available represents a unique genre

with a variety of approaches and styles. The sources vary in how they define the disorder and

how that definition is used to achieve a literary goal. Eating disorders represent a genre of

literary analysis. In writing within this genre of study, authors employ different techniques and
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styles to provide information about the severity of the illness and draw attention to treatment

methods, symptoms, and the ability of recovery. Despite the common goal, an individual source

may rely on evidence, outside materials, scientific studies, or personal testimonials in order to

effectively transmit information about the disorder. The resources available are extensive, and

each subgenre within can be broken down and further analyzed. In studying genre, especially

related to eating disorders, it can be seen how the flood of available information can be discussed

to raise awareness about the severity of the illness and inspire treatment methods. The sources to

be discussed include a scholarly article, a news article, and a popular source. Each article,

although representative of the same genre, differs greatly in its use of rhetorical strategies and

literary techniques. Such elements, such as author perspective, direct statements or assertions,

and the use of images exist to serve the authors purpose and bring greater meaning to the

writing. The unique style present in each can be analyzed in order to better understand not only

how the writing contributes to the genre, but also to how the writing is understood, interpreted,

and used.

The three media discussed include a scholarly paper, a news article, and a popular blog

post. Despite stemming from a variety of backgrounds and utilizing a variety of literary

techniques, they incorporate many of the same elements. These elements serve a unique purpose,

but are significant in that they promote the goal of the genre: to make the reader more aware of

the severity of eating disorders and the work that must be done to better understand and help

those affected by them. One primary source of information about eating disorders is found in

scholarly articles. These elaborate and descriptive papers are generally written for an audience

with a scientific background, for the contents and experiments described involve highly

specialized language and a format that does not flow like a typical media article. One such paper,
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The Significance of Bradycardia in Anorexia Nervosa, primarily authored by Malka Yalahom,

MD, provides a scientific definition of the disorder, specifically in terms of its cardiovascular

complications, and describes a study conducted to raise awareness of the diagnosis in those

displaying bradycardia, weight loss, and behaviors associated with the disorder. A second source

within the genre, Anorexics Process Food Choices in a Very Different Way, written in Time

Magazine by Belinda Luscombe, can be considered a mainstream news writing. This source is

readily available to the general population and provides a summary of a recent scientific study

focused on how those with Anorexia tend to make decisions related to food. The article provides

an overview of the study, potential successful therapies, and input from professionals in the field.

A third source, 5 Things I Wish My 18-Year-Old Self Knew About Anorexia, written as a

blogpost on www.elitedaily.com by Ellie Tansey, is written on a platform designed for a younger

audience and is an informal article about one girls experiences with an eating disorder and a

reflection of what she may have done differently based on the knowledge and experiences she

has gained. It is the most informal of the three, but provides a direct insight into how one lives

with and overcomes an eating disorder. Despite the variety of information, references, and

writing styles found in the aforementioned sources, the writing transmits the information

necessary in order to raise awareness and provide information about the disorder. Each source

effectively uses author perspective, direct statements, and visual aides in order to transmit

information, support the desired goal, and evoke a response from the reader.

The Significance of Bradycardia in Anorexia Nervosa details a study conducted to

understand the relationship between a heart condition and the eating disorder and includes the

details of an entire experiment, as well as analysis and statements of relevance. Perhaps in a

different manner than many research-oriented papers, the author provides his own perspective on
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the topic, referencing an experience with a patient and providing a unique research perspective

from the voice of the researcher. He very uniquely paints the issue. At that time, I realized that

not all physicians are acquainted with the simple, easy to check physical sign of bradycardia in

AN, and thus I became involved and decided to collect data concerning this issue (Yahalom, 83).

The author very directly states the purpose of the study, providing the reader with what prompted

his interest in the genre, what inspired the research, and why it is crucial that the research was to

be conducted. This proves to the reader that there is a human connection to the issue described

and sets the tone for the remainder of the paper, instilling in the reader that if the qualified

physician believes there to be an issue with bradycardia and Anorexia, maybe I should as well.

Another important rhetorical strategy utilized was the use of direct statements and

assertions. Throughout the article, the author uses deliberate, factual statements in order to

present the information completely and sufficiently so the reader may understand the desired

goal. The objective of the present study was to summarize and identify cardiac rhythm disorders

in a series of consecutive hospitalized adolescent patients with AN, and to verify the clinical

significance of bradycardia in this entity (84). This pointed statement lets the reader know that

any point made and any information obtained and read is to be verified in the remainder of the

paper. The authors use of pointed and direct statements introduces the main point, brings it to

clarity and focus, and paves the way for elaboration and effective transmission. In addition, the

discussion and results sections of the paper serve a unique function, as they report the data found

and summarize its meanings and relevance. This is unique in that the author does not provide his

opinion, but rather a report of what was discovered and why it is significant to the understanding

of the disorder. Among psychosocial disturbances, eating disorders have the highest mortality

rate. A 21-year follow-up of 34 patients with AN showed that 16% of them died of eating
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disorder-related complications (87). This appeals to logos. It utilizes logical statements that are

not intended to provoke an emotional response, but provide knowledge and significant

information about the disorder. In this method of discussion, the author is successful in stating

the severity of the illness by using pointed statements that rely primarily on fact, rather than

feeling.

A third point of comparison is the use of tables, figures, and images to provide visual

support for the data and to pass information to the reader in a way that may be more easily

understood. Scientific articles are not reliant on words, but on data obtained in charts and graphs

in order to further illustrate and articulate the findings of the study. The data tables are clearly

organized and displayed. This shows specific results of the study and displays all the necessary

parameters so that the reader is able to see precisely what the research aimed to determine and

what the findings mean to the greater population. The use of charts and figures is also significant

in that it allows the reader to follow the process, to learn along with the researcher, and to draw

conclusions as they read. This provides the reader with a sense of control, permitting them to

develop individual inferences and compare with the authors findings. However, charts and

figures often apply a barrier to the readers understanding. They tend to hinder flow; words are

blocked, and graphs, images, and tables seem to be thrown into the writing, causing the reader to

jump from a table, to paragraphs, and back to another image. This adds to the work of the reader,

resulting in a greater focus required and a larger reliance on inference.

A second article written, for Time Magazine, Anorexics Process Food Choices in a Very

Different Way, provides an overview of the illness, including details of its severity, and

provides a summary of research conducted at Columbia University that aimed to understand the

brains role in decision-making in those suffering from anorexia with input from clinicians and
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those involved in the research. The article was written for a popular news media source,

implying that it was created for a wider audience and the author seeks to have a wider impact on

the general populations understanding of the disorder. Throughout the writing, especially in the

opening paragraphs, the author depicts the severity of the disorder, forbidding the reader to brush

off the topic as potentially unimportant or exaggerated. The author uses direct statements and

assertions in order to accomplish this task. The opening statement draws the reader, who may or

may not have a knowledge background of what is to be discussed, in and immediately provides

them with information to foster an understanding of the topic and why its gravity must be

discussed. Anorexia is the third most chronic illness among adolescents. It leads more often to

death than any other mental illness. Therapies that have the greatest success involve extensive

family engagement, with parents undertaking the task of persuading the child to eat. Its

exhausting and terrifying and demanding for parents, especially if recovery is slow. The author

paints a relatively full picture of the illness, from the effects on the individual bearing the

disorder, to the severe impact on the entire family and those in contact with the individual. This

is a different perspective than held in a scholarly paper, which tends to focus solely on the

individual with the illness. The articles use of direct statements differs from other media in that

the statements tend to be simpler and more easily understood. The author draws her own

inferences from a primary source, bringing the findings to a level that can be understood by the

masses versus a select few. This is accomplished by using direct quotes from professionals

within the field. The part of the brain theyre using is different from the part of the brain

healthy people seem to be using, says Daphna Shohamy, a neuroscientist and associate

professor of psychology at the universitys Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, and one of

the authors of the study. Direct quotes, especially those from a credible source, cause the
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writing to be more justifiable. They permit the reader to visualize the process, understand the

researchers perspective and attitudes, and better relate to the study. These statements speak to

how the source can be analyzed in order to determine the effectiveness of the transmission of

information about the disorder. The statements used by the author allow the reader to understand

multiple perspectives at one time, formulating a single opinion encompassing the author, the

researcher, and their own individual ideas on the importance of research on eating disorders and

the implementation of treatment methods.

The Time Magazine article also utilizes an introductory image to not only aid in setting

the tone of the article, but to provide a visual representation of the words of the article to form a

connection with the reader and provide them with an image to reflect on as they read. The image

chosen is titled Teenage girl sitting over plate with head in hands. This image depicts

exasperation, exhaustion, and fear. From this simple image, the reader can see the difficulty in

the daily thought process and mental operations felt by someone suffering with the disorder. This

serves as a direct appeal to the readers pathos. It opens the readers eye to the physical aspects

of the illness, allowing them to draw connections to their own opinions and experiences, as well

as makes them more receptive to the message of the author. In triggering an emotional response,

the reader truly understands the authors point. Although the author may not be considered a

scientific professional, they have provided the reader with source material, background, and a

strong opinion that instills in the reader a sense of why the issue is important and must be further

discussed.

A third article, 5 Things I Wish My 18-Year-Old Self Knew About Anorexia, written

for www.elitedaily.com, is a popular article detailing one youngs girls reflection on her life with

an eating disorder, the lessons she has learned, and what she would tell her former self given the
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opportunity. She provides a different view from most other forms of media in that it is her own

perspective. Her words represent her story, her feelings, and her life. This is how she shapes her

casual article into something of increasing relevance. In painting the issue from her own personal

experiences, she is able to articulate the severity of the issue, detailing the daily mental and

physical trials, as well as provide a firsthand account of how and why recovery from such a

disorder is possible. In a similar fashion to the other forms of media, the author begins her article

with a statistic. Hitting a nerve? Well, youre actually in the majority. Sixty-five percent of

American women between the ages of 25 and 45 have behavioral issues with food, and an

estimated 20 million suffer from anorexia, bulimia or binge-eating disorder. This statement calls

attention to the prevalence of eating disorders, especially in American society. Although a

relatively inexperienced author, her forceful tone reinforces the importance of the writing and

allows the reader to see that her writings and experiences are not ones that can be pushed aside,

but that must be acknowledged and dealt with so as to inspire others to seek out guidance and

treatment. Through her words, she calls attention to the emotions she desires to provoke and

justifies why it is imperative that she speaks so candidly.

Perhaps the most effective technique used by the author is her use of direct statements

and assertions. The main focus of her writing is the reflective list of the five phrases and pieces

of advice she would give herself if she were again in recovery for her eating disorder. This list is

filled with dramatic, simple ideas that utilize little variance in vocabulary or sentence structure.

Some of these include 4. People Will Leave You, and 5. Start today. These short pieces of

poignant advice are followed immediately by a detailed example of the daily elements of living

with an eating disorder. Her use of dramatic language in her direct statements is also seen in her

effective use of language in the article. Do you know your metabolism is slowing to compensate
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for everything youre not eating? Do you know your missed periods might mean youll never

have children? These sharp, rhetorical questions instill fear in the reader and represent the

authors urgent plea. In her use of these statements, she does not offer facts from a scientific

study, but focuses more heavily on the social elements deemed necessary to live and why living

and interacting is healthier than living with a food obsession, over-exercise, and a life of

restriction.

A third point of comparison is the authors use of an image in order to provide the reader

with a visual representation of the words to come. The image provided at the beginning of the

article reveals the dramatic and severe nature of the article and of the topic to be discussed. The

image depicts a young girl who appears to be struggling gravely, which provokes strong feelings

within the reader. It instills a sense of despair and a focus on the physical body, but also an

insight into the struggles felt within the sufferers mind. The image is successful in conveying

the idea that an eating disorder is a multifaceted illness; it is capable of overtaking the physical

and mental elements of ones life and the reader is able to appreciate this insight prior to taking

in the information provided by the author, allowing them to more clearly understand the severity

of the illness and its overall importance.

The authors use of rhetorical strategies directly appeals to the readers pathos. In her

expression of desire to speak to and advise her 18-year-old self, she evokes a reaction from the

reader. The reader desires to help the author; they want to feel sympathy and understand the

daily struggles and strength necessary to overcome the illness. Her use of lists, direct statements,

and images provoke a reaction from the reader and force a relationship to form. The reader can

see how they may act in such a situation, or perhaps reflect on their own experiences with an

eating disorder. Because of her writing, the author appeals to a wide variety of individuals and is
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successful in reinforcing the importance of her genre. Although not a formal article, the author is

recognized as one who has had an eating disorder, one who recognizes its importance, and one

who has insight into the necessary paths to understanding.

The three articles discussed represent the wide variety of information available to the

public that provide a background, insight, and analysis into living with and recovering from an

eating disorder. The genre, although seemingly broad, is highly focused, specific, and caters to

all levels of experience, whether it be professional and scientific, or social and popular. Each

source effectively utilized rhetorical strategies to convey the desired information to the target

audience and open the door for discussion on a relevant topic. As eating disorders grow in

severity and frequency, it is important that these writings exist and that authors adapt and utilize

such strategies to promote awareness and effectively illustrate what needs to be done to bring

about change. The strategies employed by the authors, including perspective, direct statements,

and visual images, provided a unique take on the genre and its interpretations that separated it

from other work within the field. The scholarly articles use of fact-driven data, graphs and

figures, and a detailed experiment provided a scientific view of the disorder and how work is

being done by medical professionals to better understand and treat the disorder. The Time

Magazine articles creative use of summary, professional perspectives, and a visual

representation of the illness was effective in making the topic approachable for all readers

without sacrificing the details and severity of the disorder. The popular article, written as a

reflective piece utilized an organized list, strong, dramatic assertions, and an emotional image to

provide insight into the difficulties of life with an eating disorder and why its effects should not

be sugarcoated, but dealt with head on. Her approach was compelling and effectively articulated

the severity of the illness and its urgency. Despite the varying use of rhetorical strategies, each
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source found success in passing information to the reader on a sensitive subject through the use

of language and appeals to reason and emotion. As a sensitive genre, words hold an increasing

amount of power, and rhetoric is perhaps one of the most important skills in bringing about a

conversation to acknowledge a need and find a solution. How a topic is portrayed reflects

dramatically on how it is interpreted, and through the use of the strategies discussed above, the

writings in this genre are an accurate reflection of how words can compel an audience to become

aware of an issue and inspire change.

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Works Cited

Luscombe, Belinda. "Anorexics Make Eating Decisions in a Different Part of Brain." Time.

Time, n.d. Web. 02 Mar. 2017.

Tansey, Ellie. "5 Things I Wish My 18-Year-Old Self Knew About Anorexia." Elite Daily. N.p.,

08 Mar. 2016. Web. 02 Mar. 2017.

Yahalom, M., MD, M. Spitz, L. Sandler, N. Heno, N. Roguin, and Y. Turgeman. "The

Significance of Bradycardia in Anorexia Nervosa." The International Journal of

Angiology : Official Publication of the International College of Angiology, Inc. U.S.

National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 02 Mar. 2017.