3 Modes of Writing Summary Description Analysis Summary A condensed retelling of some larger whole. Uses broad, general terms. Emphasis on objectivity and concision. Description Specific statements, practices, or details. More concrete than summary. Emphasis on particulars. What’s Missing? Summary: Abstract and concise. Description: Precise and detailed. Neither offer’s the speaker’s insight on information conveyed. Analysis The process of breaking down a text into component parts and examining them separately to speak about the whole.
Says more than what’s apparent.
Process of investigation, contemplation, and connection. Summary Review
“The CDC is a government organization that fights
disease, whether foreign or domestic, through research. It protects people from health threats and uses critical science in response to crises. This section of the website is devoted to men’s health topics.” Descriptive Review
“The CDC Men’s Health page discusses men’s health
topics. Users can browse the collection using a left-hand toolbar. The material is geared toward men of all ages and is sponsored by the CDC. The content provides practical information like facts, statistics, and articles about conditions affecting men. The statistics section is quite large. I would recommend this website to others.” Analytical Review #1 “The Men’s health section of the CDC website has four major categories, none of which is explored in any real depth. For instance, the “Healthy Living” category lists only four resources: a downloadable calendar lacking any health substance, tips for healthy living (which leads to a dead page), health reminders for safe Super Bowl celebrations, and summer health tips. These topics seem randomly assigned to this CDC subsection and just barely relate to men’s health. There is no content on prostate cancer, cardiac disease, alcoholism, or other preventive health measures that speak specifically to men’s health issues. The most substantial portion of this page is its collection of .pdf publications relating the leading causes of death among men. While these may be interesting to researchers, ultimately they don’t serve much practical purpose for consumers, as they are mostly statistics without commentary.” Analytical Review #2 “Although the CDC is a respected governmental entity, users will not find links to external sources or references here to assess the content’s credibility. Further, there is no comprehensive listing of topics specific to men’s health available to users. The page’s “Featured Video” section contains a single video with no method to search previous entries, and the “Test Your Knowledge” section collects random quizzes that aren’t specific or even related to men’s health (for instance, one quiz titled “Kids and Rabies”). This site’s content provides little use to consumers and seems randomly assigned to the site.” Takeaway Analysis always makes an attempt to justify the HOWs and WHYs of whatever judgments the writer makes.
Attempts to “get beneath the surface.”
Provides evidence that informs interpretation. Usability vs. Content Usability Concerns Content Concerns • Understandability • Currency • Ease of use • Accuracy • Audience appropriateness • Completeness • Visual design/appeal • Depth • Navigation • Speed Content Currency Look for dates of publication and/or revision. Is content in-line with contemporary medical thought? How current is the research? How relevant is this information to TODAY’s audience? Content Accuracy Does the website promote evidence-based information? Does it mislead users, sell “snake oil” treatments, or falsely interpret data? Are there potential conflicts of interest or profit-motives influencing the content? How correct are the site’s claims? Content Completeness Does the site do a good job covering all aspects of a given health topic? A certain topics, branches, or debates missing? Will the reader need to visit other resources for understanding? How self-contained is the site’s information? Content Depth Does the material go into sufficient detail?
Is the website worth
visiting based on its level of nuance?
How useful is the site
as a health resource? Tips for Content Review Aim for specificity Avoid “It should/shouldn’t be on HWN” Keep your sights on content, not usability Move beyond like/dislike Strive for fair, insightful objectivity… ...But don’t be afraid to make judgements
The Ultimate Medical Consultant Interview Guide: Fifth Edition. Over 180 Interview Questions and Answers by Senior NHS Consultants, Practice on Clinical Governance, Teaching, Management, and COVID-19