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Who I am: Jeremy Cygler, general internist in the University of Toronto academic hospital system.
What I did: This past spring, I took a persuasive writing course at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health. The course taught me several styles of persuasive writing, including how to write and pitch an op-ed – which I used to get an op-ed published in Harvard Public Health Magazine.
Why it matters: My op-ed advocates for healthcare systems to invest directly in affordable housing. Advocating for this is essential to improving the lives of the people who are experiencing homelessness, precariously housed, and extremely rent-burdened.
What I learned: Going through the process of writing this piece helped me learn that it takes several drafts to get a piece where you want it to be – and that it’s important to let yourself write a sub-par first draft! Working with editors at a publication was also new to me, and getting fresh eyes on my writing, along with feedback, helped me work out the kinks and arrive at a more refined final product.
