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ENGLISH 3307

TO: ENGLISH 3307 STUDENTS


FROM: ELIZABETH HECK
DATE: JANUARY 30, 2014
SUBJECT: WRITING STYLE AND TECHNIQUES OF PROFESSIONALISM IN DIETETICS

After interviewing Dr. Allisha Weeden who is a Registered Dietitian I have found that although
the field of dietetics is a diverse profession, professional writing is important to all related jobs in
this field and the ability to write to a variety of audiences is a key component.
Background
The field of dietetics consists of Registered Dietitians who are nutrition experts. They are usually
part of a medical team working together for the specific needs of patients. Utilizing medical
nutrition therapy, they work in hospitals, private practices, and other health-care facilities. They
are also known to work in community and public health settings, along with conducting research.
Steps to Become a Registered Dietitian
1. Obtain a bachelors degree and complete required coursework that is approved by the
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
2. Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program at a health-care facility
3. Pass a national exam and continue education requirements to maintain certification
Writing Style and Location of Articles
There are many different types of writing in this field but the majority of the writing is in the
form of patient/public education handouts and professional writing such as grant proposals and
research articles. Some good examples of writings targeting the general public can be found on
the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Mayo Clinic websites. Many dietitians are now
also starting blogs to help share information with the public. As for professional writing, the
Journal of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is an excellent source. Most of the articles
published are written by dietitians.
English 3307 Class 2 January 30, 2014
Important Characteristics
It is essential to have the ability to write the level of understanding for the general public,
other healthcare professionals, and other dietitians.
Express ideas clearly and concisely to the variety of audiences, especially the public
Legitimate references indicate whether the writing is valid
Findings
After reading articles from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Mayo Clinic, and
blogs written by dietitians, I have found that although they are different sources they all
had the following major similarities:
The articles were easy to follow along with their use of simple language and definitions
Gave clear tips/steps on how to achieve the recommendations they provided
Presented cited references

I reviewed two journals, one of which discussed interventions with vitamins B6, B12, and
C in pregnancy and one that discussed mineral deficiencies in young adults. They both
provided interesting, in depth information which I found useful because I did not have
prior knowledge of this material. I found that these journals were unlike the previous
articles that I reviewed. They followed a strict format of abstracts, methods, results, and
conclusions. They were lengthy and although they gave some background information, it
would be somewhat difficult for the general public to understand the material and
complex charts and tables. They did have extensive amounts of references but these
articles were written for other professionals rather than the public.
Conclusions
After my interview with Dr. Weeden and researching articles published in this field, I found that
professional writing is required for the career in dietetics. Dietitians consult both the public and
other professionals and need flexibility in their writing to convey their information to both
audiences. Although my classmates fields may differ from mine, the ability to convey
information to a variety of audiences is pertinent to many individuals.

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