Problem: Article: The "bar" test ensures that your idea is clear and your storytelling is effective. Before you write your presentation, make notes sketching out your message. Think of it as a story, with a beginning, middle, and end. Then ask a colleague or friend who knows nothing about your project to listen to your summary. Deliver your summary to them in friendly, direct language, as if you were telling the story to a friend in a bar. In fact, you can tell the story to a friend in a bar. However, telling a colleague over coffee can work just as well. Get them to tell you what their takeaway was. If they can summarize your message accurately, that's a good sign. Find a friend, colleague, or mentor who you trust to give you useful feedback. Rather than waiting until your presentation is "finished," deliver it to them while it's still a draft. That way, they can give you tips not just on your delivery, but on the organization of your content as well. Ask them to be your coach. Give them your presentation once or twice and let them ask you questions and give feedback. Ask them to point out moments that are dull or confusing. . It's important to rehearse in front of people because it will make you less nervous when the time comes. If you tend to get nervous when you give presentations, you can go further during your rehearsals in order to reduce your nerves. Write down what you're afraid of. What exactly worries you when you give a speech? Looking foolish? Being asked a hard question? Write down your exact fears, and then consider them each individually. Think about what you will do in each situation. For instance, if your fear is, "I'll forget what I'm saying," you can prepare a plan like, "If I forget what I'm saying, I'll pause, scan my notes, and find the next important point I need to make." Catch your negative thoughts, and calm them. If you think, "I'm going to get nervous and sweaty," replace it with, "I have important information to deliver and everyone is going to pay attention to that." You don't want to go over your time frame and get cut off, or wear on the patience of your audience. Time your rehearsals, especially those you give in front of others, to see that you are staying within the time you have. Give yourself extra time if you plan to take questions, or if you anticipate lots of digressions. Try practicing in front of your dog, your mirror, or your family. Practice speaking with an engaging tone. Gesture and emote as if you were addressing your audience. Know your presentation backward and forward. This doesn't mean sticking to a strict script every time. Instead, when you rehearse, improvise freely. Deliver your main points, but include quips and anecdotes that occur to you as you go. You'll remember the best ones when you actually deliver the presentation.
Summary: Give it the "bar" test. Practice your speech in front of a colleague while you're still developing it. Prepare for nerves Time yourself carefully. Practice repeatedly.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Choose 9in (23cm) pans that are at least 2 inches (5.1cm) deep. Spray the inside with baking spray to prevent the marble cakes from sticking. To make a large, single-layer cake, use a 9in 13in (23cm 33cm) cake pan. Open a 15.25-ounce (432 g) box of yellow or white cake mix and put it in a large mixing bowl. Ignore the instructions on the box and instead add 1/2 cup (100 g) of granulated sugar and 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 g) of salt. Add 4 eggs and these liquids: 2 teaspoons (9.9ml) of vanilla extract 13 cup (79ml) of canola oil or vegetable oil 4 tablespoons (56 g) of melted butter 14 cup (59ml) of whole milk 1 cup (240ml) of water Turn a hand or stand mixer to low and beat until the eggs are combined. Then turn the mixer up to medium speed and beat the batter for 2 minutes. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula once or twice. Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually beat in 2/3 cup (83 g) of all-purpose flour or 3/4 cup (75 g) of cake flour. Beat just until the flour is mixed into the wet batter. Put 3 tablespoons (22 g) of unsweetened cocoa powder into a separate mixing bowl and add 2 tablespoons (24 g) of sour cream. Stir or whisk the cocoa until it's incorporated. Then stir in 1 cup (340 g) of the batter from the other mixing bowl. This will make the chocolate batter for the marble cake. Divide the plain white or yellow cake batter between the prepared cake pans or pour the plain batter into the large cake pan. Then dollop large spoonfuls of the chocolate batter over the plain batter in the pan. Leave about 2 inches (5.1cm) of space between the blobs of chocolate batter. Insert the skewer so it almost reaches the bottom of the pan and then drag it in a figure-8 pattern so it moves through several of the chocolate blobs. Then insert the skewer into another part of the pan and make another figure-8. Do this 1 to 2 more times so each chocolate blob is marbled. It's important to not over-swirl or the batters will mix and you won't be able to see the marbled effect. Put the cake pans in the preheated oven and bake them until they pull away from the sides of the pan. To test if they're done, insert a toothpick into the center and pull it out. If it comes away clean or with just a crumb, the marble cake is finished. If batter sticks on the toothpick, bake the cake for 3 to 5 more minutes and check it again. Turn off the oven and transfer the cakes to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Carefully flip the cakes out of the pans and leave them to cool completely before you frost them with 3 cups (700 g) of your favorite chocolate buttercream, ganache, or icing. Cover the leftover cake and store it at room temperature for up to 2 or 3 days. You can also refrigerate it for up to 5 days.

SUMMARY: Preheat the oven to 350F (177C) and grease 2 round cake pans. Put the mix, sugar, salt, eggs, vanilla, fats, milk, and water in a bowl. Beat the ingredients in the bowl for 2 minutes. Stir in the flour until it's incorporated. Mix the cocoa, sour cream, and 1 cup (340 g) of the batter in a another bowl. Spread the plain batter and spoon the chocolate batter on top. Use a skewer to swirl the batters. Bake the marble cake for 30 minutes. Cool the cake completely before you frost and serve it.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: When your honoree arrives, you can jump out and yell surprise, but you can also add to the surprise by making a lot of noise. Give your guests instruments like whistles or shakers, or instruct them to sing or clap when the honoree arrives. Instead of the traditional surprise approach, have guests walk in on the guest of honor, instead of the guest of honor walking into the surprise. Choose a day that appears "typical" to the guest of honor, and instruct your guests to casually file in one by one. Watch your honoree glow with shock as they see the number of their loved ones arriving to honor them. If you are planning an outdoor event, surprise the honoree by showering them with items like silly string, or water from water guns or water balloons. If you are choosing the water option, make sure the party is water-themed so that the guest will dress appropriately; either have on a swimsuit or have a change of clothes handy. Consider your honoree's reaction before taking this route. Some people will not be happy about getting their clothes wet or having their hair covered with silly string. Begin serving food and drinks ahead of time. This will help detract from some of the spotlight and ease the honoree into the party more easily.
Summary:
Make as much noise as possible. Consider a quiet surprise. Use silly string or water guns. Make sure your party is in progress, when the guest of honor arrives.