INPUT ARTICLE: Article: An organized binder is easy to navigateyou should know the approximate location of each paper. This is not possible when you insert loose sheets in between papers or fill folders full of papers. Three-hole punch the papers you wish to keep in your binder. Insert the papers into the correct section and subsection. If the paper is important, place it into a sheet protector. An overstuffed binder is more difficult to keep organized. In addition to throwing away unnecessary papers, you should remove returned assignments and tests from your binder. Organize these assignments and tests and place them in a filing cabinet or box. Even in the best organized of binders, it is possible to lose sight of an essential fact or important date. Find a way to catch your own attention. Consider using a flag to mark significant information or highlight dates you need to remember.

SUMMARY: Three-hole punch loose papers. Place returned assignments and tests into a filing cabinet. Mark significant information and dates with flags and highlighters.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Researchers have concluded that there are three major factors that determine the outcome of requests for favors. These are (1) the asker's credibility, (2) the demonstration of need, and (3) the offer of repayment. As you brainstorm what you will say in your inquiry, devise ways to foreground your ethos, or personal credibility. Explain that you are a good, hard-working person. You might say, "I have been at the same job for 12 years," or "I volunteer at my local church." If you are communicating to a specific group, demonstrate your ongoing inclusion. Reddit users, for example, are far more likely to assist someone who has already been a member of their community over somebody who creates a new account and then asks for help. The second, and arguably more powerful, factor has to with the demonstration of need. As you brainstorm what you will say, think of ways to express why you need this help. Mention the other ways you have tried to solve this problem. You might say, "I have already spoken with a lawyer," or "I have been in touch with my local representatives," or "I have initiated a fundraiser through my church." Mention the other factors that contribute to this need. You might say, "I am also currently putting my daughter through college," or "My husband recently lost his job." Explain why this need is urgent. You could say, "If we do not solve this problem by next Monday, we could lose our house." Third, individuals are more likely to offer help if they feel you will work to repay the favor. You may not be able to repay money, or return the exact favor, but perhaps there is some other way you could "repay"? Think about what you have to offer. What can you offer the person who helps you? A home-cooked meal? Free advertising on your website? Think of some way you could pay this favor forward. Rather than paying your benefactor back, consider promising that you will help someone else in the future. You might say, "I'm not able to repay this money. However, for every $10 I raise, I will spend a Saturday volunteering at my local soup kitchen." You might say, "Each donor will receive free advertising space on my personal website."

SUMMARY: Foreground your personal credibility. Demonstrate your need. Offer to repay the favor.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: In order to properly practicing blocking, you'll need three players. One person will do the passing, the second will try to receive the ball, and the third will execute the block. If you're practicing for the sake of playing competitively, it's a good idea to practice with your teammates. After all, improving their blocking skills will work out for your team just as much as honing your own. You should alternate between each of the three positions while you practice. This will make you a more dynamic player, and it will give the other players a chance to practice blocking too. If you have a coach, he will try passing the ball. You can do this with two players as well. If you're blocking, stand in front of a wall and try to block shots from hitting the wall. A two player practice isn't as recommended however, as it robs the dynamic element from the exercise. The most common method of getting a foul call is through physical contact with a member of the opposing team. This happens often when players are attempting to block shots. As a result, you should cater your blocking to minimize risks of bumping into a player. This can be helped by jumping upward, and using your body as an obstacle, rather than actively reaching out and grabbing the ball. You shouldn't try to actively grab the ball out of the opposing player's hands. If you do, you'll get a foul call. A foul call will offer the other side a chance to get a 3 point shot without risk of being tampered with by your side. Although height and size are obviously important to shot blocking, agility is necessary in order to get you to a place where you can block. In competitive environments, opposing players are going to be moving fast. In most cases, you'll only have a few seconds to get between the other player and the net. Run to block the other player's path, and rotate quickly to face them. It may help to do "run and rotate" exercises in your own time. Luckily, these can be accomplished without help from anyone else. Keeping your feet in control during all stages of a blocking technique will limit the risk of a foul, and ensure you're in proper position to continue playing smoothly once the block is completed. Don't put one foot in front of the other. Keep them evenly spaced apart, and relatively parallel with one another. As you ready yourself for a blocking move, it's good to arch your legs in a squatting stance. This will give you the built-up force necessary to execute a proper block. Because jump shots are some of the most-used shots in basketball, knowing how to time your jump is imperative. Hold your blocking hand up to give yourself extra height, and jump up to meet the opposing player at his highest point. One way to time properly is to watch the other player's feet as they leave the ground. This will only allot you a split-second of time to react, but with enough practice, you'll begin to find yourself jumping on instinct. Jump directly upwards when you're blocking. This will limit the risk of coming into contact with the other player. In executing a block, you'll need to raise one of your hands up in the air to impede the ball's course. The surest way of deflecting a ball is to use the hand that's closest to the ball relative to your body. While most players will harbour a preference of one blocking hand over another, it's important to get both hands versed in blocking mechanics. This will make you a more versatile, and therefore more effective player. It's important to use your hand as an obstacle impeding the natural arc of the ball, rather than reaching out and grabbing it. Grabbing the ball directly could result in a foul call. Like all competitive sports, some of your success in basketball will rely on your honed instincts. This sort of thing only comes with a lot of practice. Even when you're blocking shots consistently, it's a good idea to keep pushing yourself until you're able to do so without consciously thinking about it.

SUMMARY:
Assemble a group of three. Avoid contact with the shooting player. Run and rotate between the shooter and net. Stabilize your feet. Master your jump timing. Block using the hand closest to the ball. Practice until it's second nature.