Interlude: Unessential Components, Introvert Networking, and Talking Nerdy
Have you ever wondered why cinderblocks have holes in them?
I remember helping my dad build a retaining wall when I was a kid. He would stack the cinderblocks and fill them with cement to make the wall stronger. And I remember thinking, why not just use solid blocks of concrete?
I recalled this memory recently and did a little research. One reason that cinderblocks have holes is to reduce their weight while maintaining the essential components that support their function. This reduced weight means that masons or contractors can carry a lighter load and build things faster and easier. And lighter weights also mean you can build a structure higher without collapse from a heavy load.
What does this have to do with writing?
Imagine that cinderblocks are the content and language in your writing. When you remove the unessential components, you create a lighter cognitive load for readers so they can digest the information faster and easier. And the lighter load also means that you can build a more meaningful document without burdening readers with unessential information.
When you remove the unessential, you illuminate the essential.
Now onto this week's round-up...
💌 Round-up
💻 From My Desk
How Introverts Can Navigate Networking at Conferences
Are you an introvert who struggles to network at conferences and other events? In this video, you’ll discover 10 actionable strategies to build meaningful connections while staying true to your personality and energy.
📆 Upcoming
Education Sessions at the 2025 AMWA conference
Next week, I'll be at the 2025 American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) conference presenting tips and tricks for solving common grant proposal pitfalls and hosting a jam session for new to mid-level freelancers. If you're attending and see me out the wild, come say hi!
...Oh, and if you're interested in sponsoring a seminar or workshop for your group, I'm booking events for spring 2026. Just reply to this email and we can exchange ideas!
👓 Reading
Nonregistration, Discontinuation, and Nonpublication of Randomized Trials: A Systematic Review
"This systematic review assessing 347 RCTs receiving ethical approval in 2016 in the UK, Switzerland, Germany, and Canada found that 5.8% were unregistered, 31.1% were discontinued (predominately because of poor recruitment), and 20.5% did not make results available. Industry-sponsored RCTs performed better than non–industry-sponsored RCTs in making trial results available (often through trial registries) and industry-sponsored RCTs were less likely to be discontinued due to poor recruitment."
Adherence to RECORD reporting guidelines among observational studies using routinely collected health data published in general medical journals: a metaepidemiologic study
"Among 196 studies using routinely collected health data published in high-impact general medical journals, we found that adherence to RECORD checklist was moderate, with gaps in reporting. RECORD adherence was not associated with journals’ endorsement of RECORD or other factors such as geographic region, funding source or year of publication. Moreover, RECORD reporting was not associated with study quality as measured by the NOS. While studies published in RECORD-endorsing journals were more likely to mention a reporting guideline, endorsement alone was insufficient to ensure optimal adherence."
🖥️ Watching
Talk Nerdy to Me
"Take your science, subtract your bullet points and your jargon, divide by relevance (meaning share what's relevant to the audience), and multiply it by the passion that you have for this incredible work that you are doing. And that is going to equal incredible interactions that are full of understanding." I love that the speaker used an equation to describe how to communicate science well. Special thanks to Helen W. for sharing this video with me.
Thank you so much for reading.
Warmly,
Crystal
