HEALTH WRITER HUB

Clear Health Writing

Checklist
Michelle Guillemard, Health Writer Hub Founder
 CONTENTS
Before you begin
Checklist Basics
Good writing
Engagement
Readability
Relevance
Quality control and compliance
Overall impression

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 AS A HEALTH WRITER,
YOU ARE A PUBLIC
HEALTH ADVOCATE.

HEALTH WRITER HUB

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Before you
begin
Thorough background research is the
foundation of strong writing. Complete
these essential steps before you start
your writing projects.
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Is your idea original?
Have you defined your target
audience?
Do you understand your topic
thoroughly?
Have you defined your purpose
and objectives?
Is your topic useful and helpful?
Have you researched your topic
extensively?
Did you consult a variety of
high-quality sources and
experts to enhance your
understanding?
Have you read the full studies,
not only abstracts or press
releases?
 Basics
Have you used plain English?
Are your sentences two lines
or less?
Have you clearly defined or
removed medical jargon?
Are your paragraphs short
(max 4-5 lines)?
Is your writing culturally
appropriate?
Are your words short (mostly
three syllables or less)?
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 STRONG WRITING

Have you included active verbs?

Have you changed passive voice to active voice?
Have you used inclusive language – ‘you’ and ‘we’?
Have you used positive language?
Is your writing conversational?
Have you broken a few grammar rules?
Are your sentence lengths varied?

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 ENGAGEMENT

TELL STORIES EXPLAIN SIMPLY ASK QUESTIONS

Have you told a story or Have you defined Do you ask your readers
included an anecdote? complex terms in plain questions and
English or included links encourage them to
to simple definitions? reflect?
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 Readability
READABILITY IS THE EASE AT WHICH YOUR
READERS CAN READ YOUR WRITING

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 Readability

Is your content well Have you included Is there plenty of white

formatted? clear subheadings? space between
Is your font size and Do your subheadings paragraphs?
type easy to read? contain key points? Have you linked out to
Have you used bold Have you included relevant content?
and italics if bullet or numbered Have you included at
appropriate? lists? least one image?

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 Relevance

SUITABILITY PAIN POINTS TONE OF VOICE

Is the topic relevant to Have you addressed Is your tone of voice

your target audience? your audience's pain appropriate for your
points, questions or subject matter?
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 Quality control and
compliance
BE A RESPONSIBLE HEALTH WRITER

Have you double checked your facts?

Is your messaging socially responsible?
Are your health claims accurate
Have you linked claims to their original sources?
Have you consulted your local marketing and
advertising guidelines?

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 STEP BACK, AND CONSIDER
YOUR CONTENT AS A WHOLE

Are your take-home messages

memorable?
Have you continued your reader's
journey?
Overall
Can people with low health literacy
skills understand your writing?
impression
Is your content scannable?
Have you sought feedback?
Are you satisfied with, and proud
of, your final version?

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INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH WRITING
is our flagship, 6-week, CPD-certified
online course teaching you how to
write high-quality health news, feature
articles, blogs, web copy and sales
Want to
copy. learn more?
Visit healthwriterhub.com
Email michelle@healthwriterhub.com