Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Read examples of shape poems. Analyze the examples. Focus on an activity or hobby you enjoy. Get inspired by nature. Pick your favorite object or an object of sentimental value.

Answer: To get a better sense of what you can do in a shape poem, you may want to read several examples of the form, such as:  “O sweet spontaneous earth” by e.e. cummings.  “Vision and Prayer” by Dylan Thomas.  “Concrete Cat” by Dorthi Charles.  “Butterfly” by David Schondelmeyer. Review the examples and think about how the author uses the form of the shape poem. Consider several questions, including:  How does the author use the shape of the poem to heighten the meaning of the poem? How does the text and the shape interact in the poem? For example, Charles’ “Concrete Cat” uses the text to form the shape of a cat, with each word forming it’s shape on the cat’s body. “Whisker” forms a whisker on the cat, “eye” forms an eye. This creates an interesting visual representation for the reader. How do the line breaks in the poem, created by the shape, add meaning and detail? For example, in Schondelmeyer’s “Butterfly”, the shape of the butterfly limits the number of words Schondelmeyer can use in the poem. But the shape also allows Schondelmeyer to create mirroring text and text that connects the two sides, or “wings” of the poem. To get inspiration for your shape poem, you may choose to focus on an activity you enjoy, like playing tennis or reading books. Or you may focus on a hobby, like woodworking or singing. You could then use this subject as the inspiration for your poem. Another area of inspiration could be the natural world. You may have a favorite tree in your backyard or a flower bush you like in your neighborhood park. You may be inspired by nature on a larger scale, such as a famous waterfall in your area or a river that runs through your city. Get specific and choose one aspect of nature or the natural world as the subject of your poem. You may also be inspired by a particular animal in the natural world, such as the fierceness of a lion or the grace of a gazelle. You may then pick an animal and use it as inspiration for your poem. You may decide to jump right away to an object that you value for sentimental reasons and use it as inspiration for your poem. Maybe you have a family heirloom that has been passed down to you from your mother or a lucky pen that you refuse to throw away. You could then write a poem in the shape of the object that focuses on why you love the object so much or why you value it.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Check your lease for ambiguities or discrepancies. Determine whether your landlord is fulfilling all terms of the lease. Find other loopholes.

Answer: If anything in your lease contract is unclear, you may be able to use that to your advantage. Read and reread your lease for any instances of poor clarity. Also look for terms in the contract that may not be legally enforceable. For example, if your lease agreement says that your security deposit is non-refundable unless you continue the lease for a certain number of months, this is illegal. Security deposits must be returnable. Violations of habitability and safety can allow you to break a lease. However, there are also other common terms in a lease that may allow you to find a way out if the landlord isn’t fulfilling them.  For example, many leases have “quiet enjoyment” or similar clause. This requires the landlord to ensure that no tenants are disruptive. If you’re constantly bothered by your neighbor’s loud parties and you have notified your landlord and your landlord has not taken action to remedy the situation, you may have grounds to break your lease.  Another common term that might be violated pertains to service animals. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a landlord cannot enforce a “no pets” policy on tenants who require a service or therapy animal. If your landlord has tried to force you to get rid of a necessary service animal, you may have grounds to terminate the lease. Many landlords rely on boilerplate lease forms. However, because lease laws vary by state, your lease could be invalid when your landlord has used a form with language that isn't legal in your state. It can be difficult to find these loopholes if you're not an attorney. Consider hiring a tenancy attorney or having a tenancy advocate review your lease. Even if the consultation costs a few hundred dollars, it could be worth it if you find a way to legally get out of your lease.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Place up to 3 females per male in the breeding pen. Provide your quail with 14 to 16 hours of light daily. Keep your pen at around 70 °F (21 °C) to encourage breeding. Provide your quail with straw and hay so they can nest.

Answer: In the wild, quail are monogamous, so they pair off. When they’re kept on farms, male quail may breed with 2 or 3 females. You can pair your breeding quail in 1:1, 1:2, or 1:3 male-to-female pairs.  Don’t place more than 1 male in a cage at a time. The males will fight to establish dominance and impress the females. Paired quails will usually produce more eggs and will pay more attention to their chicks. However, you will likely have more live chicks if you breed the male with 2 or 3 females. If you want to eat the eggs, don't put a male into the cage. Female quail will lay eggs whether or not the male is present. However, they must mate with a male to produce fertile eggs that will have chicks. You can keep as many as 5 females together at one time. Sunlight is best for your quail, but you can also use an artificial UV lamp. This encourages the quail to breed because they typically mate during spring and summer when the days are long. Don’t give them more than 16 hours of light daily, as they need at least 8 hours to sleep at night. Use a heater or fan to adjust the temperature of the breeding pen. Cool or very warm temperatures will discourage the quail from mating. Place a thermometer in the pen so you can monitor the temperature and make adjustments when necessary. In nature, building a nest is part of the breeding process. Paired quail will build a nest together before they mate. Giving your quail plenty of fresh straw and hay will encourage them to build a nest and lay eggs. Change out soiled straw and hay that isn’t used for nest building. Replace it with fresh straw and hay so the birds have a clean, comfortable environment.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Smile. Fake competence. Adjust your body language. Relax.

Answer:
An easy way to look and act happy is smiling. But did you know that smiling can actually boost your mood? Smiling can induce feelings of happiness just as happiness can cause a smile.  Try smiling with your whole face, not just your lips. Feel your cheeks and eyes change when engaging a large smile. This kind of smile is associated with positive emotions.  If you’re feeling upset or grumpy, combat those feelings with a smile. Try to connect with the sensations of smiling and begin to feel happiness. Getting through an uncomfortable situation while looking or feeling unfazed is a skill, and much can be attributed to confidence. If you have a presentation and feel fearful, tap into your innate confidence, even if public speaking is enough to make you run and hide. Tell yourself you can do it. Chances are if you exude confidence (even if it’s forced or unnatural at first), people will believe you are competent.  Speak loudly and clearly and act as if you are fully confident in your abilities. The opposite is true, too. If you go into a presentation feeling fearful, lots of things can give away your fear, such as shaky voice, lack of eye contact, acting flustered, etc. If you’re closed off, looking down, or crossing your arms/legs, people may assume you are unapproachable. People with proper posture report higher levels of positive mood and self-esteem than slouchers. Changing your body language can help your mind believe that you are confident.  Practice puffing your shoulders out (as a way to appear/feel bigger) or putting your hands on your hips. Practice doing triumphant poses, such as pumping your fist in the air before a nerve-racking situation. Relaxation can help calm any anxiety you may be feeling and can help you feel more at ease. If you are feeling tense, restless, or unhappy, try some relaxation techniques to help you feel more balanced. This can be especially helpful before a big presentation or something that makes you feel anxious.  Slow your breathing and start counting your breaths, 4 seconds inhale, then 4 seconds exhale. Once this feels easy, extend to 6-second intervals, observing your breath moving in and out of your body. Use muscle relaxation to soften tense muscles. You can do progressive muscle relaxation, which focuses on different parts of your body at a time, releasing any tension you feel. Start with your toes, then work on muscle groups through your legs, hips, stomach, chest, arms, shoulders, and neck.