ENGL 4202 Writing for Health and Medicine

Like most scientists, healthcare practitioners often publish their research in academic journals. However, they also must communicate complex science to the patients they are treating, and often to the public at large. Writing for Health and Medicine is a writing workshop focused onhelping students develop the storytelling skills needed to communicate health care, medical, or scientific perspectives and messages to a variety of audiences and through multiple mediums. Over the course of the semester, we will explore a range of writings by physicians and other health care practitioners, and also by patients and journalists. We will cover every step in the writing process, from brainstorming to researching to writing to revising as well as the steps needed to pitch and publish an article or essay. Assignments will include reviews of articles and books, podcasts, social media, op eds, and narrative writing. This course is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in the health and medical fields; however, it is appropriate for anyone with an interest in the health sciences who wishes to improve their writing skills.