In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: The worst mistake you can make is to walk into a comedy set completely cold. This sets you up for nervously laughing at your own jokes! Even the best comedians need to spend some time preparing what they are going to say. Create a set list for yourself. Make a list of each joke you will tell. Think about transitions. How does one joke flow into the next? Is there some kind of logical progression? Keep in mind what kind of people you expect to see in the audience. Certain demographics will be more or less likely to enjoy certain types of jokes. An open mic at a church, for example, may not be the best place to try out very dirty material. Whether you're the type of comic who follows a script or one who tends to free-style, rehearsal will always make your set better. Plus, it is the most effective way to stop yourself from laughing at your own jokes. Set aside time to run through your entire set 2-3 times before you take the stage. The more times you rehearse your jokes, the more normalized they become, and the less likely you are to laugh. Be sure to time yourself. This way you'll ensure that you have the right amount of material, and you can move through your set without concerning yourself with time. before taking the stage. Taking the stage cold sets you up for nervous laughter. Before you take the stage, find a way to warm yourself up, and release any "silly energy." Put on your favorite song and dance around making funny noises and goofy faces in the mirror. Laugh at yourself. Move your body, use your voice, and wiggle the muscles in your face. All of these actions dispel nervous energy and prepare you to tell jokes on stage effectively, without bursting into laughter. If you do a good job of making the people around you laugh, you won't need to laugh to fill the silence. Prevent yourself from laughing at your own jokes by making other people laugh. Use vocal variation. Don't fall into a monotone delivery. Signal the punchline. Pause for a moment to let the audience know it's coming. Use a call-back. Reference something funny you said near the beginning of your set near the end. Audiences love this. If you really want to strengthen your comedy and prevent yourself from laughing at your own jokes, the only true remedy is spending as much time as you can telling jokes on stage. You can't perform once a month (or less) and expect to improve at your craft. Try to make it out 1-3 times per week. Begin by seeking out comedy open mics. You can find these advertised at coffee shops or bars, or in a local entertainment paper. Open mics are where you can practice, connect with other comics, and gain exposure. If you do well at open mics, you will be invited to perform at more regular gigs.
Summary: Be prepared. Rehearse jokes. Warm up Sharpen your comedy skills. Perform regularly.

Before you begin putting your brochure together, you'll need to know a little bit about the subject you've chosen or been assigned. Review your textbook, notes, and homework assignments to learn as much as you can. The more familiar you are with the material, the better your brochure will turn out. Other resources, such as the encyclopedia and various educational websites, can help you dive deeper into your topic. Only use sources that have been approved by your teacher, and be sure to cite your external sources on the last page of your brochure. Think about the best way to present your topic. You might offer a general overview of a complex subject, or zoom in on one or two specific points. The best brochures display information in a simple, focused way. If you're making a brochure on the Declaration of Independence, for example, you'd want to briefly summarize what the document says and name all of the people who signed it. Put your title front and center on the outermost panel, the one that will be visible while the brochure is folded. That way, it will be the first thing your reader sees. Beneath your title, display your full name to make it clear who created the brochure. Try to come up with a title that's short, punchy, and easy to remember. The title of your brochure should let your reader know what to expect right away. For a brochure about climate change, you could go with a straightforward title like "Climate Change," or think of something more attention-grabbing, such as "Climate Change: The Silent Killer." In 3-5 sentences, give your reader a general introduction to the subject you'll be exploring in your brochure. Your introduction will set the stage for the rest of the brochure and help the reader better understand the information they're about to be given. An introduction to a geography brochure on the Maldives might say something like this: "The Maldives is a country in Asia located south of India and Sri Lanka. It is made up of a chain of 26 small islands. The Maldives have a sunny, tropical climate, which makes it a popular getaway for vacationers from around the world." The inside of your brochure is where you'll actually present the facts you've collected about your subject. Devote each panel to a single subject to prevent information on one subtopic from spilling over into the next page. Writing in short sentences or even bullet points can also make it easier for your reader to follow along. Think about whether you want a basic single-fold brochure or a traditional tri-fold brochure. Single-fold styles tend to work best for shorter, more straightforward topics, whereas tri-fold brochures make it easier to organize lots of information in a manageable way. For a brochure about dietary nutrients, you might use a portion of each of the three interior panels to explain the role of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. In some cases, the amount of information you have to discuss will determine how many pages your brochure will end up being. In others, your teacher may specify a certain number of pages. Make sure you follow instructions carefully. End your brochure by offering your reader a quick recap of the most important points you covered in the preceding panels. Use simple, direct language to clear up any confusion they may have about what they've just read. A good rule of thumb is to include at least one key detail from each of your interior panels in your summary on the final panel. You can either leave the center outside panel blank or use it to list any external sources you used to do your research, such as books or websites.
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One-sentence summary -- Research your topic thoroughly and decide what information to include. Make the first panel of your brochure the title page. Provide a brief outline of your topic on the first interior panel. Use each remaining interior panel to discuss a separate subtopic. Give a short summary of your topic on the back page of your brochure.

Problem: Article: Major changes to your home and schedule cannot be discussed in bits and pieces. Set aside some time in everyone's schedule to talk about renovation plans. Understanding the "why" behind any action is a good way to build support for a plan. Let your family know that the decision to renovate is based on your desire to stay in the home for a long period of time, or because you need a finished basement for extra family space or due to some other issue or problem that needs resolving. Invite questions and talk openly. You do not have to give your kids a spreadsheet with line item details, but let them know that a lot of money will be spent and they might need to earn their own money or cut back on some of the things they want. Give your family members time to adjust. You do not want to announce a major kitchen renovation the day before the family fridge is torn out. Put together a timeline so everyone knows what to expect. Caution that the renovations might take longer than expected. Instead of telling your family members how everything will look, solicit their input. If they get to have a say in the color that goes on the walls or the tile that gets put on the new floors, they will be more receptive and helpful.
Summary:
Call a family meeting. Discuss the reason for your renovation. Talk about how the renovations will impact the family budget. Discuss the timing of events. Ask for ideas.