Article: Some people like to write on a computer, whereas others work better with pencil and paper. There are pros and cons to each, so think about which way will work better for you. If you're not sure, you can try each method and see which feels more comfortable to you. A computer will let you erase and edit more easily, and also let you undo mistakes and save alternate drafts with ease. Pencil and paper makes you slow down and really think about what you're writing on the page. Studies have also shown that writing by hand strengthens the brain. Acrostics may sound complicated, but they're really not! All you need to remember is that the first letter of each line, when read vertically, must spell out the topic of the poem. The topic is often a single word, but can be more than that if you'd like. Consider this example of an acrostic poem about the sun. Keep in mind that the word you choose to serve as the first letter of each line will determine the length of your acrostic. Choose a word that corresponds with the length you want to write. If the word you want to write about is too long or too short, consult a thesaurus for synonyms. For example, if "love" is too short, you might try "friendship," "adoration," "devotion," "tenderness," etc. Remember that you can also use multiple words for your subject if you'd like. This is an easy way to add length. What do you want to write about? Choose a subject that you have a lot to say about, and hopefully one that gives you the opportunity to use your writing chops with sensory imagery and inventive language. Some helpful brainstorming activities might include: Keeping an ongoing notebook where you keep track of things you want to write about Making lists of the characteristics of the thing you want to write about For example: your mother's personality, her appearance, your favorite memory of her, how her voice sounds, what her perfume smells like, etc. Taking a walk and making notes about what you see in your notebook Taking inspiration from a piece of art. How does your favorite song or painting make you feel? Write about yourself! Who do you know better than yourself?
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Decide what materials to use. Understand how acrostics work. Brainstorm.
Article: Essential oils are distilled from leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots, or other elements of plants or herbs. They're often added to neutral, or "carrier" oils such as jojoba, grapeseed, almond or olive oil. Essential oils can help circulation, cleanse the scalp to encourage follicle growth. Unlike water-based treatments, oil is easily absorbed by the skin. Herbal oil treatments for hair loss can be found in many natural food stores or pharmacies. Massaging essential oils into scalp also increases relaxation. One of the causes of hair loss is stress, which releases cortisol around the hair follicles and causes them to deteriorate. Thus, using an herbal essential oil to help care for hair loss will be effective on two fronts! Simply add 3 to 4 drops of essential oil (or a blend) to a tablespoon of a light-textured carrier oil, such as jojoba, grapeseed, almond or olive oil. Peppermint oil stimulates the scalp, improving hair growth and treating the scalp. It will also help the overall health of the scalp, and increase the ability of the hair follicles to bind to the hair. Mustard oil, combined with a tincture of henna, is an ancient remedy for balding hair. Boil henna leaves together with a few drops of mustard oil, then strain into a clean glass jar. Massage into scalp daily for best results. Other essential oils that have been shown to be effective for treating hair loss include clary sage, lavender, lemongrass, rosemary and white thyme. Gently move your fingers over the scalp. This serves to stimulate circulation, and relax the tension of the scalp. Be careful not to pull or tug at the hair. Work the oil into the hair by gently rubbing oil onto the length of the shaft. The longer you leave the oil on your scalp and hair, the more benefits you'll be likely to see. For best results, allow oil to remain on your scalp overnight. You may wish to wrap your hair in a warm, dry towel as the oil soaks into the skin and hair. This will prevent oil from getting on your sheets and pillow. During the day, wearing a shower cap will help prevent the hair oil from staining furniture or clothing. Oil that's been used to treat your hair and scalp will have been absorbed by this point. What's left on your hair is excess. Depending on your hair type and consistency. It may be easy to rinse out, or it might take several repetitions with your regular shampoo. If your hair continues to feel oily, wash again using a clarifying shampoo. Clarifying shampoos have been specially formulated to help restore hair to a healthy balance. Follow any shampooing with gentle conditioner.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Treat hair loss with essential oils. Make an herbal oil tonic of your own. Massage oil into hair and scalp. Leave oil in for an hour or more. Rinse the remaining oil from your hair and scalp using warm water.
Article: Remember that mildew starts to grow wherever moisture is present. Be aware that damp dirty clothing can start to stink up before it ever makes it to the washer, even if it didn't smell bad when you first stripped it off. Use wet clothes as an excuse to start a load as soon as you take them off. If this isn't possible, don't ball up your wet clothes and dump them in the hamper. Let them air-dry on a hanger, drying rack, or clothesline before adding them to your other dirty laundry. If you forgot all about your last load sitting in the washer, wash it a second time to get rid of any funky smells that may have developed in the meantime. Use the highest temperature possible that's still safe for your fabrics. Instead of detergent, however, choose between adding color-safe bleach or chlorine to kill the mildew and eliminate that smell. Or, if you want to avoid chemical products, use plain white vinegar instead. These all smell pretty strong in their own right, so you may need to wash your clothes a third time with laundry detergent to get rid of any residual smells. If you're really prone to forgetting about that last load in your washer, take preemptive action. Add several drops of lavender essential oil to your load when pouring in the detergent at the start of your cycle. Use this mold-resistant product to protect your clothes from developing mildew for longer. This can stall mildew from growing for at least a couple of days. If the washer itself is the smelly culprit, fill the drum with hot water. Add 2 cups of white vinegar. Let the water sit for 30 minutes or so. Then start a regular wash cycle without adding any laundry. Give it a test sniff once it's done and repeat if necessary. Remember that mildew loves moisture and darkness. So don't shut your washer's lid or door once you empty it. Either leave it open all the time for more air circulation and light, or give it at least the length of your dryer's cycle to air out before you close it. If the washer tends to stink up on its own pretty frequently, reduce the amount of liquid detergent and fabric softener that you use. Keep in mind that these are thicker than water and don't always dissolve all the way during a wash cycle. This means that residue is left inside your machine, which can be a breeding ground for mildew. Remember that many detergents are concentrated, so you only need a little bit. If you experience buildup in your machine, check the detergent's directions for recommended amounts.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Wash wet clothes right away. Rewash clean clothes left in the washer. Prevent mildew with lavender essential oil. Deodorize your machine. Air your washer out after each use. Cut back on the detergent if needed.