Summarize the following:
The first time you read through your text, take notes on things that stand out, such as the main conflict, the characters' motivations, the tone, and the setting.   Mark pieces of the text that seem interesting or noteworthy. Does the author seem to be making a major statement in one section? Are they suddenly being more philosophical? Highlight or make a note about that section. For instance, one of the main quotes you see repeated from George Orwell's novel 1984 is "War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength." As it's the Party's (the country's only political party) main slogan, that keys you into the fact that it's going to be important to the story. It's a good idea to use a certain color highlighter to mark this statement every time it's made. This makes it easier to spot the statement so you can analyze where, when, and why Orwell is repeating the line. Literary devices are things the author uses to tell the story or make a point. They could include alliteration, imagery, metaphors, allusions, allegories, repetition, flashback, foreshadowing, or any number of other devices the author employs to write the story or poem.  For instance, imagery is how the author uses vivid language to help create mental pictures. It can set the tone of the work. Take this example from George Orwell's novel 1984, which is presented as the fourth paragraph in the novel: "Outside, even through the shut window-pane, the world looked cold. Down in the street little eddies of wind were whirling dust and torn paper into spirals, and though the sun was shining and the sky a harsh blue, there seemed to be no colour in anything, except the posters that were plastered everywhere."  Just from this short text, you get a sense of the harshness of the world, drained of color and very cold. Themes are the major ideas the author seems to be repeating throughout the text. They can be things like religion, government, good versus evil, authority, social structure, coming-of-age, war, education, or human rights, to name a few. Identify the themes as early as you can in your reading, as this makes it easier to annotate examples of the themes as you read. In 1984, some of the main themes Orwell focuses on are war, authority, and social structure. The form refers to how the text is constructed. In a long work, it can mean how the work is divided and whether it's in first-person or third-person. In a poem, look at the line breaks, the stanza arrangement, the shape of the poem, and even the negative space the writer uses. Think about why the author chose this particular form and how it helps present the ideas.  Think about how the form and content relate to each other. Then, consider how they might be in tension with each other. For example, a poem often contains less information than a novel, so the writer might use the form to draw attention to the unknown or unanswered questions. No work is written in a vacuum, so the time period and location where the author is writing will affect the text. Research where the author lived, the time period the novel was written in, and what was going on at the time. For instance, 1984 came out just after WWII in 1949, when fascism had threatened to take over the globe. However, equally important, Orwell had witnessed the problems of totalitarian regimes in places like Spain and wanted to warn against the advancement of totalitarianism in any form, from the political left or right. An author can have several purposes for writing a text. Your job is to identify at least one of them you can write about. Don't worry about what you choose, as long as you can back up what you think the purpose is with evidence from the text.  When identifying the author's purpose, examine the historical context of the novel, as well as the author's themes. You can also read other analyses and reviews of the text, as well as interviews of the author. For example, one of Orwell's main purposes in writing 1984 was to show how if citizens don't keep their government in check, it can lead to a totalitarian government where every movement and thought is scrutinized. Connect the notes you took on the text with what you consider to be one of the author's main purposes. Think about how the author is using these devices to make their point. For instance, in the slogan "War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength," you get a introduction to the author's purpose. It gives the reader a view of what's ahead: citizens in this society are required to swallow contradictory statements from the government without question, a concept known in the novel as "doublethink." Focus on one element of the story that exemplifies what you think the main purpose is. Think about what stands out about that particular topic to you. Why does it seem important? For example, maybe you decide that you want to focus on how imagery sets up the tone for the novel 1984. Why is that important? Without that imagery, the novel would be very different, and Orwell would have had difficulty setting up a believable world for the reader.

summary: Write down ideas as you read through the text. Note the literary devices the author uses. Focus on the key themes the author seems to be expressing. Look at the form of the work. Consider the historical context of the work. Decide what the author's purpose is in writing the text. Brainstorm about how the author shows their main purpose. Decide on your argument by focusing your topic.


Summarize the following:
Though this type of acid may cause you to have a reaction if your skin is sensitive, it's the best over-the-counter cleaner for whiteheads and blackheads. It treats blackheads by reducing swelling and unclogging blocked pores. Try looking for a foaming cleanser with this product in it. You can also apply it as a cream, gel, or ointment.  Because your skin is sensitive, test it on a small area of your face first. If you break out or itch, move on to another product. Salicylic acid may make your skin more dry or irritated, especially when you first start using it. Try using it only in small amounts, and increase the amount you use as your skin adjusts.  Use the cleanser once or twice a day. Use your cleanser with salicylic acid to cleanse your face while you're having a break out. Splash water on your face first, then rub the cleanser in. You can use a washcloth if you do it gently but don't scrub too hard. Wash the soap off, and dry your face off. Another natural cure some people have had luck with is a raw honey-cinnamon mixture. Honey and cinnamon both have natural antibacterial properties, so they may help kill off skin bacteria responsible for breakouts. Simply combine equal parts of raw honey and cinnamon powder or a few drops of cinnamon oil. Gently rub it onto your face. Once you've thoroughly rubbed it in, cover it with a light cotton strip or a thick paper towel. Leave it for about 5 minutes before pulling the strip off and rinsing.  The honey will help clear bacteria, as well as act as light glue that pulls up blackheads.  Cinnamon encourages a healthy glow, as it increases blood flow to your face. This method is a common one to help reduce the appearance of blackheads. Simply pour boiling water into a bowl. Lay a towel over your head and the bowl, so the steam is concentrated on your face for about 10 minutes. The steam will soften up the dirt in the blackheads, so gently wash your face with warm water after you steam it. You can add an antibacterial essential oil to help add punch to the steam cleanser. Lavender, thyme, peppermint, and calendula have antiseptic properties. Though it may seem counter-intuitive since you're trying to avoid clogged pores, moisturizers keep your skin hydrated. The key is to skip ones with oil in them, as that can clog your pores. Look for labels that say "non-comedogenic," "oil-free," or "non-acnegenic."
summary: Try salicylic acid. Use a honey-cinnamon cleanser. Try steam. Use a moisturizer.