Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Rehearse your speech beforehand. Test your technology beforehand. Have a glass of water nearby. Start with a confident voice and body language. Don’t start off with apologies. Maintain eye contact with the audience. Don’t just read from your paper.

Answer: Take some time to run through your speech a few times. Check it for timing and trim if necessary. Ask for feedback from a friend.  This will ensure that you’re comfortable with the speech and you’ll be able to relax a bit. Memorize the first sentence of your speech. This will help you overcome anxiety of starting out the speech strongly. Bring a hard copy of your speech with you as well. If you are using any visual aids such as PowerPoint, test your technology to make sure everything is hooked up correctly and is working. Many people get a dry mouth when they are speaking, so be sure to bring some water with you. Take a small sip just before you start speaking. If you are giving a brief speech, you likely won’t need to drink any water in the middle of your speech. If your speech is longer, then you might want to find a good moment to pause and take a small sip. Don’t gulp the water down; you will risk spilling it on your shirt or making yourself cough. Start your speech with a strong voice. Make sure your body language projects confidence. Stand tall with your shoulders back and your head high. Take some deep breaths before the speech starts in order to calm your body and mind. Don’t start your speech with a comment such as, “I’m sorry if this speech seems disorganized,” or “I apologize for my nervousness.” The audience will only know it if you tell them.  If you act prepared and organized, your audience will assume that you are. Look out into the audience while you’re speaking. If you feel shy or embarrassed about looking at people, choose a spot just above the audience’s heads or a point on the back wall. It is more difficult for the audience to pay attention when you are only reading directly from your paper. Instead, look up frequently to assess the audience’s engagement with your material.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Know your risk. Reduce these risks. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Enroll in a first-aid class.

Answer: One of the most effective ways to prevent shock is to understand who is at risk. The conditions and situations listed below increase the likelihood of shock:   Severe injury Blood loss Allergic reactions Anemia Infections Dehydration Heart problems Drug and alcohol use While you can't anticipate all injuries, accidents, or diseases that might lead to shock, you can take some preparatory measures against this medical condition.  For example, if you or someone you know has a known allergy, make sure to carry an epinephrine pen to reduce the risk of anaphylactic shock or a severe allergic reaction. Stay hydrated to prevent the body from going into hypovolemic shock.  Research ways to reduce the risks of heart disease and cardiogenic shock and what activities and situations can increase risk of shock in these individuals. Regular exercise and a healthy diet prevent some of the major diseases that increase risk of shock. You should also schedule regular physicals and talk with your doctor or a medical professional about any underlying conditions that might lead to shock. Taking a first-aid class will help you get the training you need to assess whether someone might be experiencing shock and offer advice on how to care for that person until medical professionals can take over.  Local hospitals and community centers often organize these classes or can direct you to resources in your area. You can also find courses through the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, St. John Ambulance and the National Safety Council.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Wear a dress or suit. Prepare for what the judges will ask. Be genuine. Tell the judge how you feel when responding to a difficult question.

Answer: A suit or dress will be appropriate for the interview stage of the pageant. Consider what you will be most comfortable wearing, and how you would like to be perceived. You don’t have to have an outfit made just for the interview. A department store outfit will be fine. Just make sure the outfit it professional and youthful. A good dress for an interview would be knee-length or slightly above, slightly conservative, and not too flashy in design. A solid color is ideal. The judges will almost certainly throw unexpected questions your way, but there are some questions that can be expected during the interview process. For example, you can watch past pageants to get an idea of how the interview will go. You can also ask former contestants what the interview process was like. Make sure to keep up with the news before the pageant to stay well-informed by keeping a notebook with everything you’ve learned.  For example, questions about world affairs, your goals, who you are, who you admire, and your best and worst qualities are common for pageant interviews. Some other subjects that may come up are friends, family, travel experiences, favorite music and movies, your biggest disappointments. You might think there is a typical “pageant personality,” but pageant winners have all sorts of personalities and interests. Don’t try to be anything other than who you are. You should be professional and kind, but sincere. Have fun with the questions and think about them carefully before answering. A question may be difficult because the answer could easily be controversial or simply because you don’t know the answer. When in doubt, go with your gut feeling. Don’t try to give an answer that sounds intellectual or “right.” Instead, tell them how you honestly feel. The judge may not personally agree, but you will be respected for having the courage to be honest.  For example, if you are asked about a war you don’t agree with, don’t tell them about your opinion of the war. Instead, tell them about how you feel or would feel about a loved one being away at war. Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know” if you genuinely can’t think of an answer.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Imagine your boss is watching. Avoid badmouthing your ex at work. Stay cool if your ex starts dating another co-worker.

Answer:
Whenever you’re around your ex at the workplace, imagine you’re your boss is observing your every move. Doing this will ensure that you don’t say or do anything that reflects poorly on your personal or professional reputation. When the emotional wounds are still fresh, it can be tempting to make critical remarks about your ex in the workplace. You may even find yourself judging their efforts at work, although you never saw any issue before.  Skip the criticisms, as they’ll only make you the bad guy. Instead, show your professional integrity by finding something nice to say about your ex’s work. For instance, you might share with a coworker, “I really admire the creativity John has brought to the table on this project.” Speaking highly of your ex will earn you the respect of the entire office. Plus, you’ll feel pretty good about yourself, too. Avoid going overboard when complimenting your ex at work--otherwise, everyone may think you're still into them. There’s a good chance that your ex will move on after your breakup, and they might move on with another person at the office. Such a circumstance will likely test your strength of character. However, keep in mind that others will be watching you closely—don’t give them any reason to doubt your professionalism.  To reduce the bad energy, avoid your ex and their new lover as much as possible. When you must interact, keep it brief. If you must, use your lunch breaks to vent to an unbiased friend or journal about your feelings to release tension.