• Map your talk – rather than just listing points in your notes try making a mind map with the information. This should help you to internalise your message rather than just trying to memorise a script. When you have such a strong connection with what you want to say you don’t need to worry about forgetting the exact words.

• Visualize your points – as you prepare, attach each key point to a visual object, place or key ‘trigger’ word to help you remember the order in which you want to talk about things. This technique will help you remember the logic of the presentation somewhat like a journey and avoid the likelihood of going blank.

• Speak out loud – practise your talk by rehearsing out loud to maximise the memorising potential. Research has indicated that when we voice our ideas our loud we are more likely to remember them.

• Listen – as you rehearse your talk record yourself and listen back as another way of memorising, particularly if you’re someone who absorbs information well through audio.

• Repeat – repetition is a key theme for memorisation. Focus on one part of the talk until you have really internalised it before moving to the next point. Research suggests we need to repeat information several times within a 30 minute period in order to successfully remember it.

• Get enough sleep – neuroscience tells us that the information transfer from short to long-term memory happens while we sleep so in order to fully internalize your points you’ll need to get enough sleep.

• Relax – science also tells us that we can’t learn or remember when we’re in the grip of fear. Learn to control your anxiety by using mindfulness or meditation techniques so you can prepare effectively as well as deliver your talk without freezing up.

Some have a talent for public speaking but most people develop it through training and practice, so use these tips as a starting point for teaching yourself to be a great presenter.

• Small talk – sometimes considered fake or a waste of time, small talk is actually a useful tool for making initial contact with complete strangers. Mention the weather or comment on the situation to open a conversation which could develop into something deeper.Ìý
• Questions – open questions will usually elicit a better response than closed ones unless the other person is particularly chatty. Ask a broad question about any topic or maybe for an opinion on something which could lead to an interesting conversation on the topic.Ìý
• Compliments – if you can sincerely compliment someone then it’s a very positive way to open a conversation but be aware that the person you’re talking to will probably be able to tell if you aren’t being genuine.Ìý
• Confidence – even if you don’t feel very sure, act confidently as you make the first step. Don’t over think your strategy, just go for it and see what happens. As long as you are friendly the other person is likely to respond in the same way.Ìý
• Help – offering to help someone is a great conversation starter, or even asking for help yourself. You could look up the information on your phone but if there’s someone around try asking them as a way of opening contact.Ìý
• Responses – after making the first move to start the conversation make sure you respond openly to encourage the other person to do the same. Give personal examples or tell little anecdotes so the other person can respond in kind.Ìý

Remember that the people around you are mostly just as keen to start talking as you are and probably have similar fears about starting a conversation. Once you start it’s likely they’ll respond well and you will not only have a good chat but possibly develop a friendship or make a useful contact.Ìý

• Know your thesis – you must be clear on what exactly your main argument is before you write the essay or it will probably be difficult for the reader to follow. Try writing your main thesis in one sentence to clarify it for yourself.Ìý
• Map your essay – write out short statements or questions based on the main points you want to make. Once you have these titles and some notes you can play with the order and find the best structure.Ìý
• Put yourself in the reader’s position – ask yourself what the reader needs to know about your thesis, how you can show them it’s true and why it’s important.Ìý
• Write a clear introduction – introduce your argument and give the reader any background information they need in order to follow the arguments. You may also want to indicate how you’ll go about answering the question or justifying your thesis but this isn’t strictly necessary.Ìý
• Construct your paragraphs – although it’s not a rule, most essays use a topic sentence to describe the main point of the paragraph then go on to demonstrate the evidence and reasons before giving personal analysis or opinion.Ìý
• Use counter arguments – to help answer your reader’s questions and back up your own arguments, include counter points to show that you have already considered any objections. Include the counter arguments alongside the relevant point in the main body of your essay.Ìý
• Link your paragraphs – a linking phrase or word can be enough to connect your ideas but sometimes you need to do more. Use the first sentence of a new paragraph to refer back to the previous idea and make a connection for your reader.Ìý
• Conclude with confidence - refer to your original question or thesis but don’t just summarise the ideas already expressed in your essay. Concluding is drawing a final conclusion from the arguments so no new evidence need be introduced. Try using a quote that illustrates your main message or putting the ideas into a wider context to leave the reader with something to think about.Ìý

Don’t forget that these are guidelines not a set of rules to be strictly followed. The structure of your essay will often emerge during the writing process so be open to changing your map or plan as your ideas develop.Ìý

• ÌýDevelop an outline – select a time and setting and plan the main plot events as well as creating your principal characters before you start writing properly. This may change as you go along but it will definitely help you get started.Ìý
• Identify themes – what are the main themes of your writing going to be? Ask yourself this question as you sketch your outline and your ideas take shape but don’t over think the content, the details will develop as you actually write.Ìý
• Know your audience – consider who you are writing for before you write much as this could change the format you select and the style you choose to write in.Ìý
• Select a format – when you’ve identified your main themes and ideas decide on the best format to present them in. Whether you’re writing a novel or short story, poem or blog post will influence the way you write.Ìý
• Create characters – start to make character profiles with basic information about all aspects of the person to help you imagine their actions, responses and how they will fit into the piece.Ìý
• Start anywhere – get writing on what seems interesting to you, it doesn’t matter if it’s the beginning or not. It’s easy to get stuck if you wait for the whole piece to become clear in your mind so write in chunks and fit them together as you go along.Ìý
• Set goals – as you plan the text set yourself some goals to keep you on track. Writing takes discipline and setting yourself targets to accomplish will help you stay motivated enough to actually complete your work.Ìý

Creative writing is a lot about having the discipline to actually write something. Often the hardest part is beginning and once you have some pieces of text, you can edit, improve and adapt to fit your objective or assignment.Ìý