Conflicts can escalate when both parties are yelling at each other. By speaking in a slow, cool voice, you can help the other person feel at ease. Even if the other person raises their voice, keep yours low and calm. Avoid telling the other person to “calm down.” This can make them feel angrier and more defensive. Instead, ask them what can be done to help the situation. For example, you can say, “I understand that you’re upset about your broken window. Why don’t we discuss what can be done in a way that is fair to everyone.” An apology can go a long way to solving tension. You might not feel as though you have done anything wrong, but you should consider how you might have offended the other person. A good apology will include what you did wrong as well as what you will do to make it up.  You can say, “I’m really sorry for insulting you. I did not realize that what I said was hurtful, and I understand now that it was a really stupid thing to do. I hope that you can forgive me.” If someone is accusing you of something you did not do, don’t take the blame. You can deflect the accusation by sympathizing with the other person. For example, you can say, “I’m sorry that your lunch keeps disappearing from the office fridge, but I’m not the one who is taking it.” Active listening is a form of communication where you repeat or paraphrase what the other person is saying to you. Ask the other person about their feelings or version of events. Listen without interrupting. Afterwards, rephrase what they said.  For example, you can say, “I understand that you’re upset. You’re right. I spilled a drink on you, and now you’re worried that your dress is ruined.” If the other person seems defensive, you can ask questions that will elicit the answer “yes” from them. This may help them feel less defensive. For example, you can say, “You are saying that you think this situation is unfair, is that right?” Sometimes, a solution will not be found. In this case, you might just have to let go of the problem. If it will not affect your daily life, let the issue drop. You and the other person might just have to come to terms with the fact that no one will win the argument. You can say, “I understand your point of view, but I do not agree with it. I think we will just have to move on. I still respect you as a person, and I hope that this does not get in the way of our relationship.”

Summary: Use a calm voice. Apologize. Practice active listening. Agree to disagree.


When describing the application of a splint or cast, it is necessary to understand the basic terms regarding the proper orientation and position to splint your injury. Two terms are particularly important:   Flexion —  A bending movement that decreases the angle between a segment and its proximal segment. For the purposes of making a splint for the hand, think about this as the movement applied to clenching a fist. Making a fist uses flexion of the muscles in your fingers.  Extension — A straightening movement that increases the angle between body parts. You can think of this as the opposite of flexion, or making a fist with your hand.  Extension will be moving your joints away from each other, or opening your from a closed fist. Splints should be applied with the idea of splinting the joint above and all the joints below the injury site, to keep free movement of the injury to a minimum and restrict movement of the surrounding tissues The type of splint depends on the injury. What follows in the next two methods are general guidelines. However, there are specific injuries that require slightly different splinting techniques, including:   Extensor tendon injuries — For this type of injury, the purpose of the splint will be to prevent any flexing of the hand and fingers.  Place the split along the palm-side of the hand (volar side).  The wrist should only have about 20 degrees of extension and the Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) about 10-15 degrees flexion (not straight).   Thumb injuries — For injuries solely to the thumb, a thumb spica splint can be used and will allow the uninjured fingers to function normally. The interphalangeal joint of the thumb should be splinted in a straight position. The thumb spica splint will immobilize the wrist and thumb, adhering to the policy of splinting above and below the injured joint.   Single finger injury — For injuries only to one finger, you can purchase aluminum splints with foam padding, which can be shaped to the right position. Alternatively, you can also use a tongue depressor cut to the appropriate size as a splint.   Little finger (or "pinky") injuries — When the only injury occurs to the smallest finger of your hand, an ulnar gutter splint can be used and will allow range of motion to the other uninjured fingers, possibly allowing for continued day-to-day use of the hand. The splint will be applied to the outer edge of the little finger running alongside the ulnar bone (the opposite side of the thumb). Often the little finger will be attached to the ring finger in the splint to provide greater support and the wrist is immobilized (since the splint extends down the wrist). It should be a hard, straight object that is at least as long as the distance from the middle of the forearm to the tips of the fingers. Ideally, use an object that will form to the shape of the arm, wrist and hand. Rolled up newspaper provides adequate support to make an impromptu hand splint. Many first-aid kits have splinting material that is firm enough to hold a fractured hand in place, but with a handle that the injured person can grasp with their fingers.

Summary: Know the terms for applying splints properly. Think about how to immobilize the joints near the injury site. Note that there are different splinting techniques. Find a splint.


A hook is the way you get a reader interested in your essay. For a discussion essay, you could use a quotation from someone whose viewpoint you agree with, for instance. For an example or anecdote, start by telling a short story about something relevant to your topic. For instance, you might write the following for an essay on immigration, "When I was 4-years-old, my parents told me we were going on a long trip. After a bus ride, we spent nights walking, my dad carrying me most of the way. One day, we crossed a river. That day marked our first day in our new country." In the next few sentences, you'll move from your hook, which is broad, to your thesis statement, which is narrow. As you go, you'll bring up the main topic of your essay to give your readers an idea of where you're headed. You should present both sides of the issue in a neutral way before stating your thesis. For example, you might write, "Immigration is a highly-debated issue. It is controversial because some people fear how it affects the resources of the country the people are immigrating to, while others believe the improved quality of life for immigrants is what’s most important." After your transition sentences, you'll add your much narrower thesis statement, which tells the reader what you plan to argue. You may want to include some phrases the help the reader understand what you'll cover as your main points. For instance, your thesis statement might be, "Immigration is good for the country because it increases diversity, infuses the country with new talent, and broadens the population's perspective, and it should be encouraged with a few basic safeguards in place."
Summary: Begin with a hook such as a quotation or anecdote to engage readers. Introduce your topic in your transition sentences. Work on a thesis statement to establish your argument.