Dharsheena A/P Raja Segaran (0800247)

B9, April 08

The issue being discussed in this review is thinness. The first article is In Pursuit Of
Thinness (Article A), written by an unknown author whereas, `Body Image: Is Being Thin
Really In? (Article B) is the second article, written by Jocelyn MacDonald from Cole Harbour
Regional High, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Article A revolves around how women have changed
their appearance to be beautiful. Article B on the other hand, focuses on a womans feeling
towards her body figure. Judging from the titles of Article A and Article B, the title In Pursuit Of
Thinness of Article A implies that the issue will be thoroughly discussed from various points of
views. In Article B, the word Really In in the title shows that the subject would be further
discussed from a humane point of view. The style of presentation and the ways and means of
communications with the readers between these two articles differ greatly. As a matter of fact,
Article A presents issues from various aspects. History is the first aspect discussed in Article A.
For example, in Paragraph 1 Line 2, it is stated that the Ancient Chinese aristocrats practiced
binding their feet as a symbol of femininity. Secondly, citations are also used. For example, in
Paragraph 2 Line 17, doubled during the last two decades, which is taken from Comerci 1924.
Besides that, there are also suggestions and points of views from many resources (Paragraphs 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9). Unlike Article A, Article B is presented with a narrative effect, starting
from the role of mass media in publicizing fashion industry (Paragraph 1 Line 1) to the
importance or priority given to a persons look. There are a few rhetoric questions sandwiched
between the paragraphs which indirectly pushes her question across. For example, in Paragraph
11 Line 52, Who decided this is in and thicker is ickier? As a whole, the perspective put forth
by Jocelyn Macdonald is far more convincing than that of in Article A.
Both Article A and Article B differ in approach because each article is meant for readers
of different classes. Article A contains a lot of names and citations. Article A centers on research

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Dharsheena A/P Raja Segaran (0800247)

B9, April 08

done on reasons for women shaping their body and the effects of that. Therefore, Article A will
only give impact on those who are well educated. On the other hand, Article B is very straight
forward and can be easily understood. This is because the language used in Article B is simple.
Due to this, readers will be interested and pay more attention to Article B rather than Article A.
The first approach shows that Article A is meant for readers who are well versed in the issue
discussed. Apart from that, Article A is also suitable to be read as research material and to be
used as reading material for journals. The approach in Article B targets readers through feelings
and enthusiasm. Readers of Article B will be filled with curiosity and questions. This is due to
the fact that Article B begins with the influence of fashion industry on women which is then
narrowed down to questions raised on the importance given on a persons outer look.
In both Article A and B, it is agreed that the mass media plays an important role in the
issue of thinness. In Paragraph 7 Line 76 of Article A, it is stated that The effect of many current
advertising methods is that the body is turned into a thing, an object, a package (Kilbourne). In
Paragraph 1 Line 3 of Article B, it is stated that Every day we are surrounded by television
shows, billboards, commercials, and magazine ads that show beautiful people with beautiful
faces. By comparing Article A and Article B, Article A is more acceptable and appropriate. This
is because Article A includes concrete evidence and reasons. This makes Article B less
convincing.
The tone used in Article A can be said as detached because no strong words are
incorporated into the writing and the writer does not directly state his stand on the issue, and
objective because the article is undistorted by emotions. However, in Paragraph 9 Line 104,
readers can infer from the way he concluded that it is important that women should begin to
accept themselves for who they are, regardless of their body type and to feel comfortable in the
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Dharsheena A/P Raja Segaran (0800247)

B9, April 08

body they live in. If women continue to pursue the elusive, eternally youthful body beautiful
(Orbach 13), they are only setting themselves up for failure. Article B, unlike Article A, conveys
its message in a personal tone, using a first persons point of view in the narration of the article.
The writer presents her point of view in a very involved and emotional tone, using strong words
and brief description. For example, Twiggy, and skin and bones. In Paragraph 6 Line 28, a
questioning tone is adopted which will make the readers reflect on the situation. The readers will
also be indirectly influenced to doubt whether it is really worth being skins and bones. Is being
beautiful really worth it?
Article A gives the readers a lot of supporting evidence that provides the readers with a
wider view of the issue being discussed. This includes the citations and references from various
sources such as Comerci, George D., Freedman, Rita, Horne, R. Lynn, Kilbourne, Jean,
Murray, Ruth L.E., and Orbach, Susie. For example, The picture a person has in his mind of
how his own body, that is, the way his body appears to him (Murray 602) in Paragraph 3 Line
24 and Body is perceived as acceptable or unacceptable, providing a foundation for self
concept (Orbach 78) in Paragraph 4 Line 33. All these reasons are valid enough to encourage
readers to consider that beauty shouldnt be given high priority. It also indicates that beauty is
only external and we should not give importance to it.
Article B also gives the readers supporting evidence of the issue being discussed.
Statistics were given to show that the writer opposes thinness. For example, in Paragraph 9 Line
38, For the 97% of the women that dont look this way we get depressed, of course we do. The
article also discussed a recent study conducted to investigate the importance given to a persons
looks. In this study, two average people (one male and one female) and two more attractive
people (one male and one female), who have the same qualifications, were asked to dress the
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Dharsheena A/P Raja Segaran (0800247)

B9, April 08

same and apply for the same job. In the end, the attractive people were hired and the average
looking people were rejected. The result of the study conducted shows more importance is given
to a persons looks.
Article A is written with less bias although readers can deduce that the writer is also
pushing to mould a persons beauty, albeit encouraging careful thought of consideration. Article
B on the other hand is strongly biased as the writer is emotionally discussing the issue. The
difference between the two articles bias is mainly due to the authors purposes in publishing the
article. Article A is written to educate and inform readers. Article B, however, is written so that
the readers can conclude that thinness is not good. Article B tries to persuade readers that being
thin is not great. It is also written to change readers opinion on being thin.
Both these articles are effective in serving their purposes respectively. Article A did not
mean to influence the readers strongly but to encourage careful consideration and reasoning
among those involved. So, with the extensive citations and evidences from other famous people,
readers are encouraged to ponder the issue thoroughly. Article B is written to open readers eyes
to let them know that external beauty is not important and being beautiful is not worth it. Article
B is also effective in serving its purpose as people are easily persuaded by emotional means.
After analyzing and comparing both the articles, I have concluded that Jocelyn
MacDonald has done a better job in writing this article. This is due to the fact that she has written
the article in such a way that it has a narrative effect. She has also used simple language and an
emotional tone. Last but not least, I end my review by stating that Article B is much more
practical and reliable in achieving its purpose and convincing me.
(1.405 words)

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