INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Even if you're not sewing together your costume, you should still gather the materials you've decided to use. Lay everything out and start to make a plan for how you're going to put them together. Once you have your materials together, make sure you have the correct measurements for the clothes you're creating. Double checking these measurements before you create a template and begin cutting out fabric can save you a lot of wasted time and money. For pants, you will need the following measurements: waist, hip, crotch depth and full leg length from waist to floor. For shirts, you will need the following measurements: neck, chest, shoulder width, arm length, armhole length and shirt length. For shorts, use the pant measurements you have, only shortening the pant length to the desired length. For skirts, you simply need waist and hip measurements. The length and fullness of the skirt will vary depending on what type of skirt you want to make. Make sure that the material you choose to use is not see-through or itchy if you are making clothing as part of your costume. Creating a template for your costume on paper first gives you a chance to double check measurements. This is a good technique regardless of whether you're gluing or sewing your costume Transfer the template to a piece of felt with a pen and use scissors to cut out the template before gluing it together. Using your template, make clothing for your costume out of fabric. This might require either sewing or gluing material together. It's best to take this step slowly as you double check measurements and try things on as you make them. Using a glue gun, paste on objects or embellishments to the clothing you've made or the existing clothing you're using for your costume. For example, you and a partner could cover a green outfit in real or fake leaves, wrap a toy snake around your neck, and hold an apple in your hand for a quick and easy Adam and Eve costume. Once you've got the base of your costume, add your accessories. This might mean gluing or sewing additional material, or simply draping a cape over your shoulders or adding a tiara. You'll want to check out how everything looks together at least once before you wear your costume on Halloween. Once you have everything put together, try it on with all of the accessories and make sure you're happy with the result. You should do this a few days before Halloween so you have time for changes if they're necessary.

SUMMARY: Gather your materials. Double check your measurements. Create a template. Make the clothes of your costume. Add embellishments. Add accessories. Try it on.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you are choosing your own topic, then you will want to make sure that it has multiple sides. The topic should be controversial, with at least 2 clear sides. Sometimes a topic might seem to have 2 sides, but in actuality most people would agree on 1 side. For example, you wouldn't want to write a paper arguing that children need proper care, as no one would disagree with that stance. A better topic may be taking a stance on what should be done if children are not receiving proper care. You need to fully understand your issue in order to choose and defend a position. Consider the background information, recent developments, and the reasons behind each side. Remember to examine at least 2 sides of your issue. Visit your local library to find books, journals, and newspapers. Access online databases, credible websites, and news sources. To decide if a source is credible, look for peer-reviewed journals, check the credentials of the author, locate the information in two separate sources, and check the date to make sure the information is the most recent available. You should also avoid self-published sources. Based on your research, write down the reasons for and against each position that you are considering taking. This will help you choose a position that is easy to defend using the evidence that you have collected. Looking at both sides not only helps you pick the best position, it will also help you choose a good counterargument. For example, if you are writing a paper about whether or not your community should invest in new park equipment, your two sides would be either in favor of the new park equipment or against it. A pro of buying new equipment might be purchasing safer equipment, while a con would be the expense of the purchase. You may have strong views on the topic, which could help guide your choice. If you do have an opinion, make a list of the reasons behind it to see if they can help you build an argument. In some cases, it's easier to argue a position if you don't have strong opinions either way. This is because you can focus on the evidence, not on your personal views. How your paper is received will depend on the audience and their stance on the issue. If you are preparing your paper for a class, it could be helpful to consider the views of your instructor. Similarly, a paper such as a policy paper would benefit from localizing the issue, just as a paper for an international journal would appeal to more readers if it includes a wider worldview. While you don't have to change your position to fit your audience, you may want to adjust your reasons behind the position or the counter-argument you choose.

SUMMARY: Make sure your topic is arguable. Research your topic and the alternative sides. Make a pros and cons list for at least 2 positions on your topic. Think about your views on the issue. Consider your audience's views on the topic.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Your project will have some text on it to represent your ideas. On your sketch, identify where the text will go. Use your research to write your text, though put it in your own words. In addition, make sure you are citing your sources, which means you are saying where you got the information. Your teacher should tell you how should cite your sources or what guidelines you should be using. If you don't know how to write according to those guidelines, try an online resource such as Purdue's Online Writing Lab. It covers the basics of the major citation styles. If you're doing an artistic project, begin painting or drawing the pieces. If you're using something such as papier-mache, start building your sculpture. If you're designing it on the computer, start making your art or gathering images to use. Write or type out your text. Put the finishing touches on the visual parts. Glue or tape the project together as needed, so it makes one cohesive whole. Use what you sketched earlier to pull your project together into your final draft. Before you turn it in, make sure you covered everything your teacher asked you to. If you skipped something, see if you can add it in, even if it's last minute.

SUMMARY: Write out your text. Paint or draw your project. Pull your project together.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Monitor the growth of the seedlings closely. Don't let the seedlings get too big, as more leaves will form, which can cause crowding. It's easiest to wait until the seedlings are tall enough to grasp. Seed leaves are replaced by true leaves as the seedlings grow. Look for leaves that match the adults, as seed leaves are more rounded and simpler than true leaves. Waiting for the true leaves to appear helps you pinpoint the healthiest seedlings to keep. Thinned seedlings have a greater survival chance if the weather is not too hot or cold. Moisten the soil with a hose or a watering can if it's too dry. It's easier to pull up roots from damp soil. Only start thinning out when the temperature is cooler. The remaining seedlings need time to adjust to the extra air and light before the increased sunlight exposure during the next day. This prevents the seedlings from getting stressed and helps them to grow into healthy adults. Look for the seedlings that appear bright, healthy, and disease-free. Use thin wooden sticks like toothpicks or popsicle sticks to mark these seedlings. Check that there is only 1 seedling per cell or that you have followed the recommended spacing. Taller seedlings aren't always stronger. Avoid choosing tall and spindly seedlings, as these may not become healthy adults.

SUMMARY:
Thin the seedlings when they are 23 inches (5.17.6cm) tall. Look for 1-2 sets of true leaves on each seedling. Pick a mild day when the soil is damp. Wait until the evening to give the seedlings a good chance to adjust. Locate the strongest and healthiest seedlings to keep.