Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence. Detail your methodology and findings. Provide accurate and specific evidence. Include relevant materials or media. End with a strong conclusion. State your research question or subject in the introduction.

Answer: The first sentence of each paragraph should state what the paragraph is about. The subsequent sentences should explain the topic in more detail and provide evidence. In this way, you move from general to specific information. For example, a topic sentence could be, "Above average rainfall contributes to increased likelihood of landslides." The subsequent sentences could discuss how much the likelihood is increased based on the amount of rain, and how this was determined. Explain how you collected data and information for your investigation. List the methods used, like research or lab testing, as well as the sources, such as lab reports or interviews. Tell the audience what you observed or discovered and draw conclusions based on facts. For instance, you could write, "World population and landlocked state population density statistics were obtained from 2 sources. The mean population density was calculated for each set of data." Then, detail the method used to find the mean density, state both mean densities, and compare them. Evidential support should be relevant and detailed. Statistics, lab reports, and mathematical conclusions are examples of good sources of evidence. For instance, if writing about volcanic eruptions, provide findings from a lab report that explain the composition of samples taken from a volcanic site or eruption. You may have graphs, charts, or images that help explain your subject. If so, include them in the appendices and label them clearly. Don't forget to discuss the materials in the text as well to explain their significance. Maps or photographs of the area may be particularly helpful for a geographical report. For example, include a photo of a landslide and list where and when it took place. Alternatively, add a link to video footage of a volcano. Restate the question or subject, then summarize the methods you used to answer the question or explore the subject. State your findings and discuss impacts or ramifications of your research. Use your conclusion to connect all the information you provided. For instance, list all the factors that contribute to a landslide. Discuss how landslides affect animal and human populations as well as their impact on the environment. You need to tell the readers what the paper is about, and why it matters, in the introduction. Explain how and where the study was carried out, and define any pertinent terms that the audience needs to know. Outline the structure of the report as well. For example, if writing about population density, define "landlocked states" and explain what units would be used to discuss population density (such as people per square mile). It's actually better to write your introduction last, rather than first! That way you'll be able to quickly outline what's to follow.

Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Perform aerobic exercises to burn off fat. Spend 20-30 minutes in a sauna daily to sweat out drugs. Add 2 cups (400 grams) of Epsom salts to your bath water.

Answer: Certain types of drugs (most notably cocaine and the THC from marijuana) build up in the body's fat cells. So, reducing your body's fat will also reduce drug levels. One of the best ways to burn fat is through sweating, and aerobic exercises tend to make you sweat a lot. As you burn fat and sweat, you'll help remove drug residue from your body. Aerobic and other sweat-inducing exercises include. Biking or hiking. Running or jogging. Jumping rope. While it doesn't require any physical activity, sitting in a hot, steamy sauna is a great way to cause your body to sweat. This will flush out drug metabolites. Saunas can be found in community centers or gyms, often next to the pool. Other ways to increase your sweating and flush drug toxins out of your skin and fat cells include: Participating in hot yoga. Sunbathing. Be aware that sweating in a sauna may only flush out a small amount of metabolites. Also, avoid saunas if you've recently been binging on drugs, as the sauna's heat could be dangerous. When you're drawing the water for a bath, pour the Epsom salts into the bathwater. Soak in the salty water for at least 15-20 minutes. The salts will open your pores, which will allow toxins to be pulled out of your body. You can purchase Epsom salts at any supermarket or health-food store. Epsom salt also contains magnesium, which is an important mineral that can help your body remove toxins (including chemicals leftover from drug use).

Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Talk to a counselor at school. Speak to a therapist if you feel disturbed or upset by your grandparent's death. Join a grief support group.

Answer: If you are younger in age and struggling with the death of a grandparent, you may want to reach out to a counselor at your school. Talk about any emotions or feelings you may be having and how you struggling to process these feelings. Often, your grief can lead to other issues, such as doing poorly in school or feeling socially isolated from others. Sharing your feelings with a counselor may help to alleviate some of your sadness and grief, allowing you to start to feel better. The counselor may suggest coping with your grief by taking up extracurricular activities you enjoy doing. She may also help you recognize any triggers in your external environment that could cause you to feel sad, upset, or depressed. The counselor can also teach you positive coping strategies, where you channel your negative feelings into positive actions, such as doing relaxation exercises, socializing with family and friends, getting enough sleep, and maintaining a healthy diet. You can also seek professional help from a grief counselor or a therapist that specializes in grief. Talk to your parents if you are of a younger age and experiencing intense feelings of loss that will not go away or that are conflicting with your day to day life. The therapist may suggest writing down your feelings and emotions in a journal, run through role playing exercises with you, and help you to process any feelings of "unfinished business" with your deceased grandparent so you can gain a sense of closure. There are many grief support groups that you can join, whether in your area, or online. Look for a support group that focuses on the loss of a grandparent or an elder. Often, it can be very comforting to talk to others who are experiencing very similar emotions as you in a safe, welcoming environment.

Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Be silent at first. Reassure the person of your confidentiality. Be encouraging when you do speak. Ask meaningful and empowering questions. Wait for the person to open up. Do not interrupt with what you feel or think about the "telling". Reassure the speaker. When giving advice remember to make it neutral and not too influenced by your own experiences.

Answer:
It might sound obvious and trite, but one of the biggest obstacles to listening is resisting the urge to voice impulsive thoughts. Likewise, many people falsely express empathy by sharing similar their own experiences. Both "gut" responses can be helpful, but they are usually overused and, ultimately, abused. Put aside your own needs, and wait patiently for the other person to unfold their thoughts at their own pace and in their own way. If the person is telling you something pretty private or important, then you should make it clear that you're a trustworthy person who can keep their mouth shut. Say that the person can trust you, that whatever is said stays between you two, and that your word is your bond. If the person is unsure of whether or not you can really be trusted, then he or she will be less likely to open up. Also don't force anyone to open up to you as this makes them uncomfortable or angry. Of course, when you say that what the person says will remain confidential, it should be true, unless there are circumstances that prevent you from keeping it to yourself, such as if the person is suicidal and you're deeply concerned. If you can't actually be trusted in general, though, then you'll never be a good listener. It's important to use empathetic sounding back at appropriate intervals during the conversation so the speaker doesn't feel like you're not listening at all. It's helpful to "summarize and restate" or "repeat and encourage" the main points. This will help the conversation feel fluid and will make the speaker less self-conscious about talking. Here's what you should do: Repeat and encourage: Repeat some things the speaker said and, at the same time, provide positive feedback as encouragement. For example, you might say, "I can see that you didn't enjoy having to take the blame. I wouldn't have either." Go easy with this technique, though. Use the empathetic sound back as a nudge from time-to-time because if you overwork it, you will come across as patronizing. Summarize and restate: It is highly useful to summarize your understanding of what the "teller" has said and to restate it in your own words. This reassures the speaker that you have truly been listening to what he or she is saying and that you "got it". It also provides the speaker with an opportunity to correct mistaken assumptions and misconceptions on your part. Make sure to leave the door wide open with statements like, "I may be wrong, but..." or "...Correct me if I am wrong." This technique is especially useful when you find yourself getting frustrated or you sense that your listening focus is wavering. Refrain from probing or putting the other person on the defensive. Rather, aim to use questions as a means by which the speaker can begin to reach his or her own conclusions about the issues being raised. This can help the speaker make his or her own conclusions without sounding judgmental or too forceful. Here are some things to keep in mind: Once you have shown empathetic listening, it is time to move into empowered listening: Re-frame the questions you ask. For example, "You didn't enjoy having to take the blame. But I cannot understand why you feel blamed rather than merely being asked not to do something that way." Wording the question in this manner presents the speaker with a need to respond directly to your lack of grasping something. In the response process, the speaker should begin to move from a more emotional response to a more logical and constructive response. In the process of encouraging a constructive response, an active listener must be ever-so-patient and let the speaker acquire his or her full flow of thoughts, feelings and ideas. These may, at first, start as a trickle and the full flow may take a long time to develop. If you press too early and ask too many personal, probing questions, that may actually have the opposite of the intended effect and may make the person feel defensive and reluctant to share any information. Keep your patience and keep your place in the "teller's" shoes. It sometimes helps to imagine why the "teller" has worked into such a situation. Instead, wait for the other person to ask your opinion before breaking the flow of their discourse. Active listening requires the listener to shelve his or her own opinions temporarily and patiently await appropriate breaks in conversation. When the conversation breaks, provide a summary or an empathetic concurrence. If you interrupt the person too soon, then he or she will be frustrated and won't fully absorb what you're saying. The person will be eager to finish saying his or her part and you'll be causing a nuisance and a distraction. Abstain from giving direct advice (unless you're asked for it). Instead, let the individual talk the situation out and find his or her own way. This empowers both the individual and you. It is the course most likely to result in beneficial change and self-understanding for the "teller" and for you. Whatever the conclusion of the conversation, let the speaker know that you have been happy to listen and to be a sounding board. Make it clear that you are open to further discussion if need be, but that you will not pressure him or her at all. In addition, reassure the speaker of your intention to keep the discussion confidential. Even if the speaker is in a terrible situation and saying something like, "It's all going to be okay" seems completely inappropriate, you can still reassure the speaker by saying that you're there to listen and to help. You can even pat the speaker's hand or knee, put an arm around him or her, or give another reassuring touch. Do whatever is appropriate to the situation. You don't want to overstep your bounds when it comes to touching. Offer to assist with any solutions if you have the ability, time and expertise. Do not build up false hopes, though. If the only resource you can provide is to continue to be an active listener, make that very clear. This, in and of itself, this is an extremely valuable help. Think about what is best for the person in question rather than what you did although this may help.