- Length. If your blog post exceeds 500 words, please provide a summary and then link to the actual document (e.g. Google Doc, OneDrive). If you need assistance, please contact Kristin. If you create a video, the optimal length is 2-3 minutes.
- Be professional. As medical students and physicians, we should represent our profession well. Adhere to rules of ethical and professional conduct at all times.
- Be responsible. Carefully consider content and exercise good judgment as anything you post can have immediate and/or long-term consequences and carry the potential for significant public impact and viral spread of content. Therefore, all statements must be true and not misleading. Make sure that you differentiate opinions from facts.
- Be respectful. Do not use defamatory, vulgar, libelous and potentially inflammatory language and do not display language or photographs that imply disrespect for any individual or group because of age, race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, marital status, genetic information, military status, or any other protected characterization or group.
- Follow copyright laws. Comply with copyright laws. Make sure you have the right to use material before publishing. Only publish photos and content you have the right to post.
Online Writing Guidelines
- Use good grammar and spelling. Proofread, proofread, proofread.
- Write with your audience in mind: Who are they? What do they need to know? What do they want to know? How will they use your information?
- Ask questions in your writing. Be open-ended and open-minded when writing about a topic. Convert “Why?” questions into “What?” questions, for example “Why did you do this?” converted to “what happened?” or “What decisions led you to do this?” often generates more detailed and revealing answers.
- Provide lots of links (if possible) to help readers learn more about your topic.
- Pay attention to copyright. Use other people’s work with respect and link to your sources.
- Stick to the topic.