Writing well is an important skill to have in the field of public health. Professionals often have to communicate in writing critical information to the public or their peers. Poor writing makes your message difficult to understand. Errors in grammar, punctuation, and word choice call into question your professional expertise. Clear communication also requires knowing how to rewrite technical information for lay audiences and different media.

I teach a one-credit distance course through the Department of Health Services Extended Degree Program at the University of Washington. The course is appropriate for all skill levels.

Students receive help with:

• Rewriting technical information for lay audiences
• Tailoring content for different media, such as magazines, newspapers, and the Internet
• Writing research papers
• The "nuts and bolts" of writing
• Editing your own writing
• Overcoming writer's block