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Imperfect: A Story of Body Image by Dounya Awada is the fourth in a series of graphic
novels written by young adults for their peers.

Dounya, a Muslim girl living in Las Vegas, Nevada, shares her very personal story of battling
eating disorders when she was a teenager, in order to help other young people suffering
from this affliction.

Dounya Awada is a 24-year-old, devout Muslim, happy, healthy, and very much alive. But
just a few years before, she nearly starved to death.

Her struggle began when she was six years old.

Little Dounya wanted nothing less than to be perfect, like her mother. She pushed herself
hard every day, excelling in schoolwork and at home. She had to be the cutest, prettiest,
smartest girl in the room. The slightest hint of imperfection led to meltdowns and
uncontrollable tantrums. Her parents loved her fiercely but were unable to understand what
was happening to their little girl.

Being perfect all the time was exhausting. In Dounya’s culture, food is nearly synonymous
with love. Food is nourishment, nourishment is love, love is life. Dounya began to eat to fill
the growing need within her. She grew in size, eventually hitting over 200 pounds at just
age 15. Food became her only friend. Her peers mocked her. She felt utterly alone.

As is the case for someone with dysmorphia, Dounya’s obsession with food did a turnabout,
and she began rigorous exercising and dieting. But even a substantial weight loss didn’t
satisfy her. She looked in the mirror and still saw the fat girl she used to be. She began the
ugly cycle of bingeing and purging, eventually hitting a low weight of just 73 pounds.

Dounya’s horrific struggle with eating disorders has led her to advocate for boys and girls
facing the same hurdles with which she struggled. She is now studying clinical psychology,
and hopes to open an eating and dysmorphic disorder facility in Las Vegas for boys and girls
with her disorder. If her story helps just one person to recognize the beauty of their
imperfection, then her pain will have been worthwhile.

Zuiker Press is proud to publish stories about important current topics for kids and
adolescents, written by their peers, that will help them cope with the challenges they face in
today’s troubled world.
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Text 2
https://youtu.be/Nml-w10HuPk

Compare and contrast how both creators present the transformation of the
characters in the texts

Text 1, an essay 'Imperfect’, by Dounya Awada, gives a synopsis of the struggles she faced with
eating disorders during her early childhood while text 2 is a film from the title “addicted to running”
that portrays the dangers of drugs and how Jackie Kenon (main character)recovered from the use of
drugs. Despite the fact that forms of the two texts differ, they both use flashbacks and use of language
to convey their intended message of transformation after dire challenges. However, due to the fact
that the forms are different, the way in which the purpose has been achieved vastly differs.Each text
has used its own creative way which is appropriate and suitable for their intended audience.

Both the author and filmmaker ought to share female characters to signify how they were able to
endure their difficulties through different ways.Text 1 uses female character to convey the struggles
she faced with eating disorders. It clearly elucidates how Dounya used exercise as a means to reduce
her weight. The author says “she began vigorous exercise” This shows that Dounya was motivated
to reduce her weight through massive exercises. Similarly, text two has used a female character to
show how Jackie suffered during her early age when she started using drugs. The film shows this
suffering by using a still image in min “0:24 - 0:28” which has helped the audience to see clearly
what the character went through. However , through workouts Jackie has been able to recover from
the use of drugs. In addition, text 2 shows Jackie exercising which has helped convince the targeted
audience that through exercise challenges can be overcomed. This is distinctly featured in min “0:09
- 0:21” Where the character is exercising. Despite the fact that the two texts employ the use of
women as their characters, they both managed to convey the use of exercise as a key element of
transformation.

Text 2 employs the use of flashbacks. In min “0:22- 0:24” the character gives a flashback of how she
started using drugs while she was young which resulted to addiction .The film maker has used still
images to show the character's change in health after using drugs during her early age.Through the
use of flashback and still images the text 2 has managed to evoke a feeling of sympathy to the
targeted audience. . Similarly, text 1 illustrates the use of flashbacks where the author gives vivid
descriptions on how the character suffered with eating disorders which almost sent her to grave. The
author outlines, “She grew in size, eventually hitting over 200 pounds at just age 15” which
depicts how the character increased in weight which made her uncomfortable. Through this flashback
and vivid description the author has explicitly managed to show how the character endured the
struggles she was facing with eating disorders.

Text 1 one focuses on the theme of eating disorders and how it can affect young kids self esteem. The
author says “she felt utterly lonely” which shows the character’s self esteem was lowered because of
her eating behavior. This resulted in her being secluded by her peers. The author has elucidated that
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through the use of exercise weight can be decreased.After the obstacles and challenges faced by the
character successfully ended through rigorous exercises the character started advocating for the
children with the same problems.On the other hand, text 2 visualizes the theme of dangers of drugs.
The film maker has brought this out by showing how the character struggled during her early age
with the use of drugs. This resulted in her poor health and being addicted to drugs. In min “0:16 -
0:25” the character has vividly explained her struggles with drugs during her early age . In addition,
through the use of camera angles the filmmaker has managed to show the characters emotions which
has made the audience feel disturbed and uncomfortable. For instance in min “0:23 - 0:27” the
character has used close ups shots to demonstrate characters emotions and make the audience feel
empathetic towards the character.

Despite the fact that or {in as much as} the two texts use exercise as a key element to signify
transformation they employ different languages and cinematic techniques. Text 1 utilizes the use of
choice of words and phrases while text 2 employs the use of cinematic techniques to mirror out the
struggles and challenges faced by the characters before their transformation. Text A has employed
choice of words and phrases like “battling eating disorders, horrific struggle and hurdles” to
show how the character was struggling with eating disorders. Through the choice of words and
phrases the author has managed to make the text disturbing and create an emotional response.
On the other hand, text 2 has utilized specific cinematic techniques such as camera angles and
slow motion to clearly show the character's situation and the struggles she faced during her
early age. This is featured in min “0:16 - 0:25” where the film maker has used slow motion and
medium shots to show clearly how the character's health was worsening after drug addiction. This
has helped the audience to have a picture on the dangers of drugs and how it can affect someone's
health negatively.

In conclusion, despite the fact that the two texts used different techniques, they both managed to
convey their intended message of transformation after ups and downs. Text 1 has used flashbacks,
imagery and vivid descriptions which has helped to convince the audience that through exercise and
hard work problems can be overcomed while text 2 has used body language and audio visual to
convey its message of transformation . Despite the fact that the 2 texts have achieved their message
through creative ways, text 2 has managed to bring into life the challenges faced by the character
through the use of camera angles. The film maker has used mostly close and medium shots which
has helped the targeted audience to see the real effect of drugs, this was contrary to text two which
unfortunately did not bring out.

To conclude, text 1 and 2 have successfully used varied techniques to convey their intended message
of the struggles faced by soldiers in their daily life.Text 1 has predominantly used choice of words ,
vivid descriptions and phrases which has helped the audience to understand in detail the difficulties
faced by soldiers and the significance of having strong emotional stability. On the other hand, text
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two has also managed to show the strong emotional stability of soldiers through the use of cinematic
techniques and body language.Despite the fact that each text have achieved their intended message
through its creative ideas, Text 2 has successfully brought into life the challenges faced by soldiers
through the use of sound and lighting which has contributed greatly in making the audience have a
clear view of the struggles faced by soldiers. This was in contrast to text 2 which unfortunately did
not bring out.

To conclude the two texts have successfully managed to convey their intended message of a peaceful
environment in improving one's mental tranquility. Text 1 has predominantly used vivid description
and language techniques to show how mental wellness can be achieved while text two has employed
cinematic techniques like lighting and sounds. Despite the fact that the two texts have managed to
convey their intended message, text two has been more effective in bringing into life the necessity of
a peaceful environment by using cinematic techniques. This was in contrast to text two which
unfortunately did not bring out.

To conclude the two text have successfully managed to portray the intended message of
transformation in the community. Text 1 has utilized the use of vivid description and use appropriate
diction to bring out how building a strong bond in the community is a key beginning to success. On
the other hand, text twi has predominantly employed cinematic techniques such medium close

Point of concern

( In stating the differences use ; the use of language in the written text and cinematic techniques in the
film ) This is in paragraph 2

Sample….Lucy Muthoni

1. Despite the fact that the two texts use male characters to bring out the soldiers' problems, they
employ different language and cinematic techniques.

2.Text A uses imagery while text B utilizes camera angles to show the challenges faced in wars.

3.Text A has employed the use of imagery whereby the writer says, “I ran eight times from the top
floor of the barracks down to the courtyard in my shirt at two o'clock in the morning,” to show the
challenges they go through as recruits before they become fully ready to go into wars. This involved
challenging physical exercises such as running.

4. On the other hand, text B uses a specific camera angle in minutes 02:16 to 02:21 whereby it
focuses on the soldier who is holding a letter from his family with teary eyes to express his loneliness
due to limited interaction with his family.

Mine “ showing contrast)

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In as much as the two texts explore a common theme of transformation,the filmmaker and the author
have employed the use of language and cinematic techniques to show how the characters were able to
endure difficulties.

Despite the fact that the two texts use exercise as a key element to signify transformation they
employ different languages and cinematic techniques. Text 1 utilizes the use of choice of words and
phrases while text 2 employs the use of cinematic techniques to mirror out the struggles and
challenges faced by the characters before their transformation. Text A has employed choice of words
and phrases like “battling eating disorders, horrific struggle and hurdles” to show how the
character was struggling with eating disorders. This has helped the targeted audience to have
a picture of how the character was suffering and also to sympathize with the character. On the
other hand, text 2 has utilized specific cinematic techniques such camera angles and slow
motion to clearly show the character's situation and the struggles she faced during her early
age. This is featured in min “0:16 - 0:25” where the film maker has used slow motion and medium
closeups shots to show clearly how the character's health was worsening after drug addiction. This
has helped the audience to have a clear picture on the dangers of drugs and how it can affect
someone's health negatively.

Not to the standards and does not imply the format…needs more rectifications

Text one is a written text ‘Aunt Pegg’ of narrative text.The text is written by author Marian Rhys
while text 2 is an audiovisual text of title ‘Matilda (1996)[Clip]-The Trunchbull’.Text two is a
narrative type of text.To bring out the theme which is Insensitivity in Adults towards kids, the two
text have used different technique and features.The written text has used language features like
assonance, similes and vivid descriptions.The audiovisual text has used cinematography techniques
like camera angles, voice overs and sound effects.

It is inarguable that the two texts are similar in some aspects.Both text share a common message of
insensitivity in adults towards kids.This is because we can clearly see in the written text how aunt
Pegg is treating the children. She is very strict towards the children in that the children were unhappy
with the situation. This suggests this when she says “She kept us occupied all the time , sweeping the
house yard, tidying the house and learning to cook tasteless , crumbling cakes.” The video has also
showed this theme in minute 2:00 -2:15, where Mrs Trunchbull gets a boy red handed eating in class
and with no feeling of remorse she throws the kid out of class through the window.This has an effect
on the viewer since it will give them a negative attitude towards Mrs Trunchbull.

Additionally, the two text have comparable characters and characterisation.The two characters from
the written and the audiovisual text respectively known as Aunt Pegg and Trunchbull have been
characterized as Martinet and disciplinarians.This is because aunt Peg does not hesitate to punish the
children whenever they go wrong.This is clearly demonstrated in paragraph 8 where it states that
“when we reached home we were given a stern lecture on ‘philosophy’ and ‘morals’ and sent us to
bed with just a slice of bread.”This action leaves the readers questioning the cruelty portrayed by
Aunt Pegg towards the kids.Similarly, Trunchbull is exhibited in the video as a cruel and insensitive
teacher who locks the pupils in the chokey whenever she found a student was indisciplined.In the
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audio visual text one of the characters called Hortensia narrates between minutes 2.44-2.52 on how
she was locked in a chokey to make her never repeat their indiscipline actions. The two text
simultaneously portray the character traits of these two characters .

The two texts however differ in terms of setting. This is because the events in the written text happen
at home whereas the events in the audio visual text happen at school. Use of these texts enable the
audience to understand that some adults can be insensitive no matter their setting .We are introduced
to the setting of the written text in paragraph one, where the children were left at home by their
parents for two weeks.In the audio visual text, we see Matilda alighting from a vehicle and the
narrator explains that it was her first day in school.

In conclusion, the two texts might have used different features and had different forms, but they still
managed to portray the message of insensitivity in adults. They therefore manage to show the
audience how insensitive some adults can be mistreating the little ones in one way or the other.This
teaches the audience to carefully select people who are going to stay with their children at any given
place and time.

Through the use of emotive language the author has successfully managed to evoke a feeling of
sympathy to the targeted audience.

Both text one and two are similar in that they both talk about females who have used
exercise has a means of transforming themselves. In the first text the author has
highlighted how the character in the text had to do much in order to lose weight and
transform her lifestyle. The author says, “She began the ugly cycle of bingeing and purging”,
this shows the immense exercise that the character did in order to lose weight and live a
healthy lifestyle, while in the second text the filmmaker has used different scenes and
camera angles to show this. The filmmaker shows different scenes showing the character in
1:00. The filmmaker has used this to show this in order for the audience to see the
transformation in her life and proof that in order to transform you have to put in work.