Article: Choose a pot large enough to blanch one to two cups (250 to 500 mL) of whole kernel corn at a time. Place a metal steamer basket or fine mesh strainer at the bottom of the pot. Add roughly two to three inches (five to seven cm) of water to the pot. Use enough water that the surface of the water is roughly an inch ( two and a 1/2 cm) below the steamer basket or strainer.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Prepare pot for steaming. Pour kernels of corn into steamer basket or strainer. Cover pot and raise heat to bring water to a boil. Steam kernels of corn for approximately four minutes or until tender. Remove steamer basket or strainer with corn from the pot carefully. Plunge corn into ice water bath to stop cooking process. Use or freeze whole kernels of corn.
Article: It's in most people's nature to put off things they don't want to do. However, you should apologize sooner rather than later. If you wait, your guy is only going to get angrier or more hurt. Don't try to apologize when your guy is sitting down to a football game or reading a good book. Choose a time when he's not distracted by something else, and ask if you can talk. If he already knows what you've done, he probably can guess what the conversation will be about. If you need to confess, it might not be as easy for him to guess. That means that you convey with your tone and attitude that you are sincerely sorry for what you did. Don't try to laugh it away, or play it off with a joke. Look him in the eye, and with a serious tone, say you're sorry. For instance, you could say, "I'm truly, truly sorry about what I did." Also, you need to accept that what you did was wrong in the presence of your guy. That means naming what you did wrong to acknowledge that you know what you did. As an example, you could say, "I know that when I made a joke at your expense I hurt your feelings. I should've thought before I spoke. I know you're sensitive about that issue." Finally, you have to acknowledge how you could do better in the future. This part is how you start to make the situation better. You can't take back what you did, but you can talk about how you intend to change your behavior in the future. As the end of the apology, you could say, "Next time, I'll try to bite my tongue before I speak. You deserve better from me. I love and respect you, and I want to show you that with my actions." If this conversation is the first he's heard about it, he's probably going to be angry. Let him give voice to his anger, but don't try to offer a defense. He needs a chance to talk about it. Even if he did know about what you're apologizing about, he still needs a chance to talk about what he's feeling and why. Give him an opportunity to speak about why what you did hurt him. You can give him a space to talk by saying, "How do you feel about what I've said?" Finally, show that you understand what he's feeling. Show you are listening and that you understand why he's upset. One way you can show you're listening is by repeating back what he's said. That is, you can say, "What I hear you saying is that me making jokes like that makes you feel belittled and disrespected. I totally understand that, and you are totally valid in feeling that way."
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Don't put it off. Pick a good time. Show regret. Take responsibility. Talk about how you could do better. Let him respond. Acknowledge his feelings.
Article: In the opening paragraph of the letter, you should immediately introduce yourself or your company and your cause specifically. Don't beat around the bush. People need to be hooked right out of the gate. Don't assume people know who you are or what your organization does. Explain those things, clearly. Begin with a description of the company (if it's a corporate letter) or yourself (if it's for personal sponsorship). For example, such-and-such firm is a nonprofit organization committed to rehabilitation... etc. Highlighting a few accomplishments right away will make it clear why it's not a risk to give you sponsorship. Make it very clear how the money will be specifically used. In the second paragraph or first, you need to make the direct request for sponsorship and explain why you are seeking it. In order to give you sponsorship, a company or person needs to be convinced they will benefit from doing so. So in the middle paragraphs of the letter, clearly communicate the benefits not to you, but to them. If the sponsors will get good publicity out of the sponsorship, for example, explain how. Be very specific: Will the event be televised? How many people will be attending? Will there be VIPS? If other prominent companies or their competitors are sponsoring your event, you might want to mention that. Give the sponsors options. They will like the fact they have different choices to match their individual needs or budgets. This means including a few numbers audience size, for example, or demographics of those they will reach. Also don't forget to thread in an element of emotional appeal - a personal story of someone who will be helped, for example, if said briefly (in a sentence or two) can be very moving. Explain how you will give the sponsors recognition for their sponsorship. Perhaps they can have free booth space at your event in exchange for sponsorship. Provide the essential details of the sponsorship deal that they will need to make their decision. Don't forget to include contact information. You might want to also include a self-addressed, stamped envelope to make it easier for them to respond. Don't forget to include the date you need a response by. Ask the sponsors how they prefer to be recognized. For example, how do they want their name to appear and do they want to be recognized? Offer possibilities but never assume. Ask. You should provide some concrete details in the letter to back up your organization or event. For example, if you're writing a letter for a charity, you should explain the background of the charity, such as when it was founded, who runs it, who it serves, and any awards or accomplishments it's received. Show don't tell. Don't just tell us the group or event are good or worthy. Convince us through showing details evidence that backs up why or how the event or group are good or worthy. Evidence is more persuasive than superlatives, generally. Just sending off a letter to a company is not the most personal way to develop a connection. Although a sponsorship letter is a good idea, follow up in a more personal manner. You could call or stop by if you don't get a response in 10 days. Remember though that many CEOS especially will be very busy and could be annoyed. So you might want to schedule an appointment or call first. Make sure that you convey excitement about your project. Avoid anything negative. You don't want to sound like you're begging or trying to put a guilt trip on them about donating.. If the answer is "maybe," don't feel bad about following up. Just don't do it immediately or too much or you might become annoying. Never be presumptuous. Don't assume they will give you a meeting or sponsorship. Simply thank them for their consideration. Don't forget to send a thank you note if you get a sponsorship.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Write a good intro. Outline the benefits. Convince with supporting evidence. Communicate background about the event. Follow up personally. Here is an example: