How to write effective medical writing samples that get you noticed

If you want to build a standout medical writing portfolio, how you present each medical writing sample is just as important as the writing itself.

Whether you’re applying for freelance gigs or in-house roles, including the right types of samples – and the right details about each – can make all the difference.

Types of samples to include

Not sure what kind of medical writing samples to showcase? Your samples should reflect your interests, strengths, and the type of work you want to attract. Here are common types of samples to consider:

• Patient education materials — brochures, handouts or blog posts written in accessible language
• Health or medical articles — news stories, feature articles, Q&As for general or professional audiences
• Clinical summaries or reports — research study summaries, treatment updates or product info
• Copywriting samples — social media posts, landing pages, email campaigns for health products or services
• E-learning content — scripts or modules for professional or patient education
• Internal documents — staff training guides or newsletters (adapted if needed)
• Speculative samples — high-quality unpublished pieces you create to showcase your skills

Your goal is to demonstrate your ability to communicate complex health information clearly and effectively across formats and audiences.

How many samples do you need?

It’s a common question: how many medical writing samples should you include?

• Aim for 4 to 6 strong samples to provide variety without overwhelming your reviewer.
• Quality beats quantity every time. Choose your best most polished work.
• Tailor your selection to your goals. Showcase samples that align with the roles or clients you’re targeting.
• Showcase versatility but stay focused. Display range without losing the message of your writing niche.

Remember, your sample collection is always evolving. Keep adding new pieces and refining the set as your skills grow.

Details to include with each medical writing sample

To make your medical writing samples truly stand out, include these essential details with every piece. These help potential clients or employers quickly understand the context, quality, and impact of your work:

1. Title
   Clearly name the article or asset. Use the published headline if you have one. If it’s unpublished or a sample, choose a descriptive title that reflects the content, e.g., “Patient Information Leaflet on Type 2 Diabetes.”
2. Brief description
   Summarise the piece in a few sentences. What is it about? What are the main themes or messages? This snapshot helps readers grasp the core without needing to read the full sample.
   Example: “This article explains the basics of precision medicine to a general audience, using case examples to show how treatments can be tailored to genetics.”
3. Target audience
   Who was the piece written for? Patients, healthcare professionals, caregivers or the general public? Showing you can tailor tone and content to specific audiences is key.
   Example: “Written for oncology nurses looking for up-to-date treatment summaries.”
4. Purpose
   What was the goal? To educate, inform, persuade or promote? Explaining the purpose reveals your strategic approach to communication.
5. Word count
   Include the total word count. This helps demonstrate your ability to work with both brief explainers and longer in-depth articles.
6. Publication details
   Where and when was it published? If it’s unpublished or part of a sample pack, say so clearly. Transparency is important, and unpublished samples still show your writing range across formats like digital, print, internal docs or patient education.
7. Feedback or testimonials
   Add any positive comments from editors, clients or readers. Even short quotes like “Clear, concise and patient-friendly” add credibility and show the value of your work.
8. Results or metrics
   If available, include engagement stats like views, shares, downloads or audience feedback. Real-world data supports your effectiveness.
   Example: “This blog post received over 10,000 views and was shared widely on social media.”
9. Case studies or real-world examples
   Note if the piece involved research, interviews or the use of clinical evidence. This shows your ability to incorporate accurate, evidence-based content.
10. Transferable skills
    This is a crucial part that elevates your portfolio beyond just topics covered. What skills does each piece demonstrate? Reflect on how your writing shows your capabilities:

• A piece on genomic testing can highlight your skill in translating complex science into plain language for patients.
• A conference summary demonstrates your ability to listen actively, summarise effectively and deliver quickly.
• A product landing page shows your grasp of persuasive writing and health copy principles.
• A public health factsheet can reveal your talent for using evidence to encourage behaviour change.

Identifying transferable skills helps clients and employers see how your expertise fits their needs, even if the topic isn’t an exact match.

Don’t forget additional context

Add any other relevant details that give insight into the piece. This might include challenges (tight deadlines, complex approvals), collaboration with medical experts or technical skills like adapting regulatory documents for lay audiences.

How to organise your medical writing samples

Once you’ve gathered your samples, think about how to present them clearly and professionally:

• Choose your platform: Consider a PDF portfolio, an online folder (Google Drive, Dropbox), or a personal website.
• Group by theme or format: Organise samples by type (e.g., patient education, copywriting) or target audience for easy navigation.
• Name files clearly: Use descriptive filenames (e.g., “Patient_Education_Brochure_2024”) to help reviewers find what they need.
• Create tailored versions: Prepare different sample sets for different audiences — one for healthcare clients, another for pharma, etc.

Using portfolio platforms like Contently or Clippings.me can simplify this process and give your samples a polished presentation.

Tailoring your samples for different roles

Not all roles require the same samples. Tailoring your selection can improve your chances of landing the job or client:

• Consider the industry or client type: Healthcare providers may want patient education samples while pharma clients might seek clinical summaries or regulatory writing.
• Highlight relevant skills: Emphasise samples that showcase expertise most important for the specific role.
• Update regularly: Keep sample sets fresh and aligned with evolving job markets and your growing skills.

More resources on creating a medical writing portfolio

If you’re creating a medical writing portfolio and are looking for some assistance, check out these resources:

• How to Create a Medical Writing Portfolio course – An on-demand course that walks you through setting up a professional polished portfolio.
• Build Your Portfolio Masterclass – A private coaching program where you’ll create eight standout pieces with expert support.
• 110 Websites That Accept Health Article Pitches – Discover exactly where to pitch and get published this year.
• Health Writing Template Package – instant access to templates for news, features, patient handouts, copywriting projects, CVs and more.