Edinburgh School of English blog

Going blank when giving a presentation is one of our greatest fears so many people use slides to prompt them, but ideally you shouldn’t rely on your PowerPoint presentation. Use these techniques to effectively memorise your points and give an engaging, natural talk. Map your talk – rather than just listing points in your notes try making a mind map...

It sounds easy but even when it’s your native language, starting a conversation with a stranger can be intimidating. Some situations will be easier than others but you can use these ideas to help you make initial contact with confidence.  Small talk – sometimes considered fake or a waste of time, small talk is actually a useful tool for making...

There’s no set structure for essays as it will depend on the type of essay you are writing. But there are some guidelines to help you present your arguments in a logical way for the reader. Try the following tips to help you plan your writing.  Know your thesis – you must be clear on what exactly your main argument...

Writing creative texts like novels appears to be mostly about imagination, but the reality is that you also need to be organised to accomplish your goals. Of course, there’s no single formula for successful writing but there is some advice on how make a start.   Develop an outline – select a time and setting and plan the main plot events...

Speaking in front of an audience can be hard, even if you’re talking about a subject you know very well. Not only do you have to make sure you know your material, you also have to make sure you communicate in a way that your audience can understand and, most importantly, find interesting. But this also means that giving a...