In March, I taught a one hour session to legal nurse consultants at the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultant’s annual meeting. I challenged them to share their best writing tip. I’ve compiled the tips in this ezine, eliminated duplicate entries, and selected the first tip as the prize winner. The winner was Barbara Boschert, who won the Writing Handbook for LNCs. Read the prior blog post for the winning entry.
In reports, I always include links to websites. They can provide pictures of equipment or articles that are pertinent to the case. Tracy Barton, Millerstown, PA
In the first paragraph of your report, list all the records you reviewed. This prevents potential for misunderstanding if all records are not sent by the attorney. Molly Feliciano, Silver Spring, MD
Have somebody else proofread. Proof hard copy as well as on computer for a better overview of the finished product. Trish Councell, Aurora, CO
Write a letter or email and save as a draft. Set aside. Go back later, reread and then mail or send. Never write when emotionally involved. Wait until emotion subsides so the subject can be addressed objectively. Jennifer Henson, Virginia Beach, VA
Read the report word by word backwards from the end to the beginning to check your words for clarity and spelling. Read your report out loud a sentence at a time to check for sense, flow, paragraphing and grammar. Susan Smith, Warriors Mark, PA
Check punctuation. My husband sent me a card one time and he didn’t put a period between the thoughts: “I’m sorry I love you.” Anita Garrison, Bartlett, TN
If I need an action from someone, in an email I will put {action needed} or {action needed by __} in the subject line. Gaylene Malmberg, Seabrook, TX
Always re-read your report from the perspective of the client for clarification of important points, concise language, etc. Secondly always “hold” the report and re-read the next day before submitting to your client. Check for grammar, spelling, sentence structure, etc. Look at it with a fresh mind. Mary Kay DeGeorge, Crownsville, MD
Want more tips? Read our ezine by filling in your information in the optin box on the website.
