{"id":1434,"date":"2017-10-19T07:12:20","date_gmt":"2017-10-19T07:12:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmjebmspotlight\/?p=1434"},"modified":"2017-10-20T09:19:23","modified_gmt":"2017-10-20T09:19:23","slug":"twelve-rules-for-writing-a-blog-for-bmj-ebm-spotlight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmjebmspotlight\/2017\/10\/19\/twelve-rules-for-writing-a-blog-for-bmj-ebm-spotlight\/","title":{"rendered":"Twelve rules for writing a BMJ EBM Spotlight Blog"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>These notes are for anyone considering posting a blog on <a href=\"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/ebm\/,\">BMJ EBM Spotlight<\/a>, but especially for those with little or no previous experience of writing <a href=\"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmj\/2015\/01\/30\/when-i-use-a-word-blogging-on\/\">blogs<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right\">Carl Heneghan, Jeff Aronson<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<ol>\n<li><b><i> Keep it simple \u00a0<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tackle only one problem or issue. Tell the reader why it is interesting and important. If it doesn\u2019t interest YOU, write about something else.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><i> Keep it short<\/i><\/b><b> \u00a0<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To cater for today\u2019s short attention spans, limit your blog to 800 words (like these instructions). There is no lower limit&#8211;sometimes even 300 words can convey an important message.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><i>Write clearly<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0Use plain English (see the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.economist.com\/styleguide\/introduction\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Economist\u2019s style guide<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">). Consider defining specialised terms, listing definitions in a separate box. Here are a few examples of how to unclutter your writing:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201c<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/thewritepractice.com\/kill-your-darlings\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Kill your darlings<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201d, especially adverbs like \u201cvery\u201d and unnecessary adjectives&#8211;cut them out.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Use the active mood&#8211;it\u2019s usually (although not always) better than the passive.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cIt has been shown that X does Y\u201d <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2192<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u201cX does Y\u201d (the reference you give will show that it\u2019s been shown).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201con a daily basis\u201d \u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2192<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u201cdaily\u201d.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cis dependent (up)on\u201d <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2192<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u201cdepends on\u201d.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li><b><i>Choose an enticing title<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0In editing your blog we shall create a top line quote, highlighting the main point. Your title is the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.copyblogger.com\/how-to-write-headlines-that-work\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2018first, and perhaps only, impression you make on a prospective reader.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2019 \u00a0So make it compelling, like these examples:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Is Michael Gove right\u2014<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmj\/2017\/03\/30\/carl-heneghan-should-the-clinical-trials-directive-be-scrapped\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">should the clinical trials directive be scrapped?<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Using systematic reviews to reduce research waste\u2014<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmj\/2017\/03\/31\/using-systematic-reviews-to-reduce-research-waste-who-really-cares\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">who really cares<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When I Use a Word . . . Judgement or algorithm? <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmj\/2017\/08\/18\/jeffrey-aronson-when-i-use-a-word-judgement-or-algorithm-head-or-formula\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Head or formula?<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<ol start=\"5\">\n<li><b><i>Consider starting at the end \u00a0<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Starting with your conclusion is called the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/webwisewording.com\/inverted-pyramid\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Inverted Pyramid style<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, which means putting the most important information up front, to act as a hook. Then logically guide the reader through the argument that leads to the conclusion.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><i>Set the scene \u00a0<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Describe the most newsworthy information: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? (see<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Five_Ws\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">); this can help in setting the scene, and context, for your blog. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><i>Cite the relevant evidence \u00a0<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Well-researched blogs stand out. Include the most recent high-quality evidence, preferably the highest level of evidence you can find (see the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cebm.net\/oxford-centre-evidence-based-medicine-levels-evidence-march-2009\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Levels of Evidence<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">). It is desirable to cite relevant systematic reviews, particularly to give context to the results of a new study.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>When searching for evidence consider using the PubMed <a style=\"background-color: #ffffff;font-size: 1rem\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/clinical\">Clinical Queries<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> interface, entering the appropriate search term and [TI].<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Instead of references, use hyperlinks (highlight the text to which the citation refers, key Control K, and paste in the URL).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"8\">\n<li><b><i>Remember the patient \u00a0<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you are discussing the results of a new study, say what differences, if any, the results might make to patient care.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><i>Criticize the study when necessary \u00a0<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Consider the effects on the study results of any biases or confounding factors. Based on the likely impact of the results, threats to validity, or other lines of debate (e.g. conflict with the results of other studies), provide a summary (with a bottom line) that will inform real-world care. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><i>Include images<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0It is good to stimulate readers visually. Try to include one or two pictures. [Don\u2019t forget to obtain copyright permission or use images already in the public domain.] The featured images <\/span><b>must <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">be 380 x 250 pixels.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><i>Reflect, refer, and revise<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0When you\u2019ve finished writing, put the piece away for a day or two, then go back and edit it, making it snappier, correcting possible errors, and adding important points you may have forgotten the first time. Meanwhile, you should have sent it to colleagues, asking them to read it critically.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><i>Engage<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0When it\u2019s published, advertise it on Twitter and whatever forms of social media you prefer. If others comment on your blog, engage with them, if what they\u2019re saying seems important.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To get the details right in your blog and create great content you may find the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.contentmarketinginstitute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/leibtag_content_checklist.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Creating Valuable Content Checklist\u2122<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> by <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/contentmarketinginstitute.com\/2011\/04\/valuable-content-checklist\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ahava Leitbtag<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> helpful. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h5><b>How to submit your blog<\/b><\/h5>\n<p>All the blogs we publish are reviewed and approved by one of our associate editors before being posted. Submit your post as a word doc to <a href=\"mailto:cebm@phc.ox.ac.uk\">cebm@phc.ox.ac.uk.<\/a>;\u00a0<b>Include your name, institution, a thumbnail picture, short bio about yourself and a conflict of Interest statement.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Of note, we are not able to publish all blogs submitted to us.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmjebmspotlight\/files\/2017\/06\/Carl-Heneghan.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1324\" src=\"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmjebmspotlight\/files\/2017\/06\/Carl-Heneghan.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"101\" height=\"98\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmjebmspotlight\/category\/carl-heneghan\/\">Carl Heneghan<\/a>, Editor in Chief<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmjebmspotlight\/files\/2017\/10\/aronson.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1436\" src=\"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmjebmspotlight\/files\/2017\/10\/aronson.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"101\" height=\"101\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmjebmspotlight\/files\/2017\/10\/aronson.jpg 160w, https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmjebmspotlight\/files\/2017\/10\/aronson-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 101px) 100vw, 101px\" \/><\/a>Jeff Aronson, Associate Editor <a href=\"http:\/\/ebm.bmj.com\/\">BMJ EBM<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; These notes are for anyone considering posting a blog on BMJ EBM Spotlight, but especially for those with little or no previous experience of writing blogs. Carl Heneghan, Jeff Aronson Keep it simple \u00a0Tackle only one problem or issue. Tell the reader why it is interesting and important. If it doesn\u2019t interest YOU, write [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmjebmspotlight\/2017\/10\/19\/twelve-rules-for-writing-a-blog-for-bmj-ebm-spotlight\/\">Read More&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1472,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14375,14374],"tags":[14343],"class_list":["post-1434","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bmj-ebm-spotlight","category-carl-heneghan","tag-featured-list"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmjebmspotlight\/files\/2017\/10\/download.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmjebmspotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1434","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmjebmspotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmjebmspotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmjebmspotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmjebmspotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1434"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmjebmspotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1434\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmjebmspotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1472"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmjebmspotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1434"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmjebmspotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1434"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stg-blogs.bmj.com\/bmjebmspotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1434"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}