When I decided to pursue a career as a medical writer, I came across On Writing Well by William Zinsser.
In the first chapter, Zinsser recounts a conversation with a surgeon who had taken up writing as a hobby.
The surgeon claimed that writing was easy and enjoyable. Zinsser, a seasoned professional writer, saw it differently. He described writing as difficult—a lonely journey that is anything but fun.
I laughed when I read this anecdote because it mirrors a common misconception. Many people—not just surgeons—believe writing is easy until they attempt it themselves. They soon discover that conveying ideas clearly and effectively is more challenging than it appears.
Writing is, indeed, difficult. Yet, as a medical writer, I view it as a vital tool to communicate scientific and medical knowledge. My focus isn’t on writing beautifully but on writing simply and effectively.
Scientific findings are often complex, obscure, and not always accessible to the public. Yet science is meant to drive humanity’s progress. So, how can we communicate science in a way that allows as many people as possible to understand and benefit from it?
This is where medical writers come in. I strive to write in simple sentences. Simple writing doesn’t mean simplistic; in my view, simplicity is a sign of true understanding. Richard Feynman popularized the idea that to truly test your understanding of a topic, you should be able to explain it to a five-year-old. Imagine trying to explain quantum theory to a young child!
I once attempted to explain postprandial somnolence—feeling sleepy after eating or food coma—to a fifth grader. In just five seconds, he lost interest, and my explanation seemed to make him even more drowsy. This experience taught me that simplifying complex concepts is not easy; it requires deep understanding and careful choice of words.
Simplifying is difficult; complicating is easy. I often notice this when listening to certain public speakers. They can fill a lot of time talking without conveying anything substantial or understandable. It makes me wonder whether the complexity is intentional or a mask for a lack of clarity.
The medical writer’s most challenging task is using language to make complex scientific and medical knowledge accessible.
So, how can we achieve this?
- Use strong verbs. Strong verbs convey action and intention clearly, ensuring your message is both direct and engaging.
- Favor the active voice. The active voice makes writing more dynamic and easier to understand by clearly specifying who is performing the action.
- Eliminate clutter. Remove unnecessary words, jargon, or convoluted phrases that can distract from your core message and make your writing harder to follow.
Writing requires practice. After all, if we can’t explain it simply, do we truly understand it ourselves?
Interested in learning more about medical writing check the book: “From Doctor to Writer”