How to of the Day

How to Deep Fry a Turkey
How to Deal with a Needy Significant Other
How to Answer Essay Type Questions in Literature Examinations

Posted: 16 Nov 2016 04:00 PM PST

This delicious, alternative way to cook a turkey is an extremely popular dish in the United States, particularly around the Thanksgiving period. Because deep frying a turkey is less time-consuming than using an oven or rotisserie grill, many are choosing to spend less time fretting over the turkey and more time celebrating with friends and family, while still enjoying a delicious turkey dinner.

EditIngredients

< 16 Lb turkey (see Tips)
- patted dry, inside and out
- wire or plastic truss that holds the legs in place removed
2 Tbsp seasoning
Oil with high smoke point (peanut, refined canola, corn oil or sunflower)

EditSteps

Season the turkey. Begin by sprinkling cayenne pepper over the top of the turkey and around the legs, rubbing it in as you go. Then turn it on its side, sprinkle more cayenne and rub it in. Completely turn the turkey over upside down before sprinkling and rubbing the underside. Continue until the entire body has been well covered and rubbed.
- There are many different ways to season the turkey, so feel free to look up recipes. Most of them involve rubbing the turkey with seasoning or injecting it with marinade.
- Try to get the rub under the skin as the skin is often tossed on a big bird once it gets overcooked.
Make the metal handle. This method is recommended if you do not have a deep frying basket. Place the turkey on its shoulders (where the head would be) and begin to spear the wire through it, just underneath the breast and by the wings. Carefully pull the wire through and loop the wire around about three times to make a metal handle. Twist the ends of the wire around your handle so there are no sharp ends.
- It is very important to do a little test to make sure that your handle is totally secure when lifting up the turkey. Only when you are convinced that the handle is strong enough should you move onto the next step.
- To get the oil to the hard to reach spots, make incision in the leg skin where it pulls against the body to allow the oil better access.
Prepare the burner. The frying of the turkey must be done outside, in a dry and well ventilated area and not near anything flammable. Set the gas burner on a level surface because this is one of the safest options to ensure that the fryer doesn't tip over. Keep the propane tank as far away from the fryer as possible and make sure it is not on, under or near any flammable materials. When not set up properly, a deep fryer can explode. Read the instructions that came with your fryer.
- Never use the fryer in the garage or on the deck when oil is in the pot.
Prepare the oil level. Fill the pot halfway with water. Then roughly half fill the bucket with water, which should represent the same weight as your turkey. Place the bucket into the pot to make sure the water does not go past the top of the bucket; it should be at least below the rim. If it is too high, then discard some of the water. The water line will represent the quantity of oil you will need, so make a note of it. Remove the bucket and tip away the water from the pot.
- Alternatively, you can put the turkey itself in the empty pot and add enough water to just cover (1-2 inches above) the turkey. Again, the level should be at least below the rim. Take the turkey out and measure the depth of the water with a ruler. Dry the turkey thoroughly afterward.
Dry the pot. It is extremely important to thoroughly wipe the pot dry with some kitchen roll. You must not leave any water in the pot as hot oil and water can be a very dangerous combination.
Add the oil. Pour the oil into the pot to the level where the water was. You should have somewhere between of oil in the pot. Light your gas burner and adjust to a high setting, then place the pot carefully down onto the burner plate. Place the thermometer into the oil and allow the oil to heat to a temperature of 350 °F (175 °C). The time it takes to heat to cooking temperatures varies.
- You should monitor the temperature throughout the heating and cooking process. Depending on your burner and outside conditions, the oil can heat up to dangerous levels very quickly.
- Put on a protective jacket/apron and gloves. You may also wish to put on safety goggles to keep oil from splashing in your eyes.
Check the temperature. Once the oil has reached 350 °F (175 °C), you're ready to fry. Make sure you have on your protective gloves and jacket when handling the turkey or working around the hot oil. With the metal hook attached to the wire loop handle of your turkey, lower the turkey with extreme care into the hot oil. Even with the bird patted dry, there will be a violent reaction when it hits the hot oil. Do this very slowly and be aware of any hot splashing oil.
- It is strongly recommended to turn off the burner while the turkey is being submerged, then to turn it back on once the turkey is in. Boiled over oil hitting the burner is the cause of most accidents.
- For a large bird, use a pole of some sort like a hockey stick. Put it through the handle and have someone help lower the bird into the pot. This will help keep your distance from the oil as it reacts to the bird.
Fry the turkey. Allow 3-4 minutes of cooking for every 500 grams (1lb). Monitor the temperature by leaving a candy thermometer in the oil (hung from a copper wire) as the turkey cooks. Never leave the hot oil unattended during the cooking process! When the bird is dropped and the fluids begin to cook out, the boiling off of these fluids tends to cool the oil, after which the oil temperature may tend to rise. Halfway through the cooking process, check to see how the turkey is doing by briefly lifting it out of the pot, again using the metal hook attached to the wire handle. Then lower it back into the pot for the rest of the cooking period.
- Cooking time can vary based on factors such as outdoor temperature and the temperature of the bird.
- If the oil begins to smoke at any time, lower the heat. Overheated oil can lead to combustion.
- To control the temperature if it starts to rise, adjust the burner to turn down the heat.
Finish the frying. Once the turkey begins to float to the top of the oil, allow it cook for an additional 15 minutes. Once cooked, carefully remove your turkey from the pot, give it a little shake to disperse the excess oil and transfer it back onto its platter. Check the internal temperature with the meat thermometer. The temperature should be at least 165 degrees F (75 degrees C), but preferably 170 degrees F (77 degrees C) in the breast and 180 degrees F (82 degrees C) in the thigh. Turn off the flame. Let the oil cool completely, making sure it's in a spot where nobody (especially kids and pets) will run into it. Remove the wire and serve.

EditVideo

EditTips

A deep fryer can also be used for other poultry or seafood.
Immediately wash your hands, utensils, equipment and surfaces that have come in contact with raw turkey.
This is best done with two people--one to watch the fryer and the other to engage in cooking.
Try serving your turkey with some golden roasted potatoes and a choice of vegetables. You can find recipes for these right here on wikiHow.
Electric fryers are available. They can be used indoors but do not heat up as quickly. They do, however, contain a thermostat with a timer and a thermal safety shut-off.
To reuse the oil, let it cool then put it through a fine strainer. If breading, herbs, or spices were used, put it through a cheesecloth as well. Cover and refrigerate it. It can be stored and reused until deterioration begins.
Smaller turkeys (8-10 lbs) are more suitable for deep-frying because the longer cooking time of larger turkeys (over 15 lbs) can cause over-cooking of the skin (as well as increased difficulty and risk in submerging a large bird). If you do have a large turkey, it is recommended by the National Turkey Federation that you deep fry it in sections, with the legs/thighs first and the breast second.

EditWarnings

Make sure other people, especially children and animals, are kept away from the cooking area at all times.
Be sure to turn off the flame while submerging the turkey.
Keep a fire extinguisher nearby! Except for Christmas Tree fires, deep frying a turkey is the greatest cause of fires during the holidays.
If the turkey is not fully thawed, the ice can react with the hot oil to cause a boil-over and a flame hazard.
Do not leave the fryer unattended at any time.

EditThings You'll Need

1 40 litre (70 pints) cooking pot
1 temperature gauge
1 gas burner and bottle of gas
Approx peanut/ vegetable oil
1 metal handle or hook
of wire for wrapping turkey
1 pair protective gloves
1 protective jacket or an apron over a long-sleeved shirt
1 foam extinguisher (in case of an emergency)
1 large clean bucket -roughly same size as turkey
kitchen roll/paper towel
1 pair of pliers
1 meat thermometer

EditRelated wikiHows

How to Deal with a Needy Significant Other

Posted: 16 Nov 2016 08:00 AM PST

Everyone has insecurities and needs assurance from their significant other from time to time. However, sometimes that neediness can get to an unhealthy point. If your partner is overly needy, learn how to deal with them so you can make the relationship healthier for both of you. You can do things such as setting appropriate boundaries, working on your relationship, and seeking professional help to improve your situation.

EditSteps

EditSetting Appropriate Boundaries

Encourage separate interests. A good way to get some space from a needy significant other is to encourage both of you to pursue separate interests. Both of you may have things you like that the other doesn't, and this is a good thing. Suggest that your significant other get involved in an activity they like to do and then you do the same.
- For example, you may encourage your significant other to join a fitness program or recreational sports team, get involved with a volunteer organization or join a community theater. You may suggest they take an art or photography class, or join a club.
- Be supportive and positive about your significant other's pursuit of a new activity. Make it a positive thing. For example, you might try saying something like, "I think it is so cool that you are learning how to decorate cakes! That's a really great skill to have."
- If your significant other only likes what you like, then help them find their own interests. Ask them what they like, what they did before you got together, and what have they always wanted to learn.^[1]
- Refrain from saying things like, "We need some space" or "This is a good way for me to find some friends who aren't you."
Set boundaries about going out without each other. You and your significant other may have many of the same friends, but you probably have your own separate friends, too. When you go out with your friends, you should set boundaries about contacting each other while visiting with others.^[2]
- For example, when you're out with your friends, it might be frustrating for your significant other to text you non-stop. Instead, set a limit about number of texts and phone calls you both make to each other when you are with other people, such as just checking in with each other once per night.
- There's nothing wrong with texting or calling to let your significant other know you have changed plans or will be coming home later, but neither of you should obsessively text the other.
Suggest doing tasks alone. To help establish your own identities and independence, suggest to your partner that you do tasks alone. You don't have to do everything together as a couple. Not every moment has to be spent together. Doing things alone doesn't mean you love or care for one another any less.^[3]
- For example, you can go to the grocery store or to wash your car alone. You can go workout or go to work in the yard without your significant other. You can even watch television or movies alone.
Be honest about your time apart. When you decide to do things apart, reassure your partner that you care about them. Tell them what your plans are and talk about the fact that you can share your experiences with them after you return.
- Tell them that this is a good time for them to do something on their own as well, and that you are excited about hearing about what they did in their personal time.
Meet new people. To help your significant other reduce their dependence on you, make an effort to go out and meet new people. This can be through friends you already have, through family, or through social activities.
- Encourage your partner to make friends. Tell them that you think meeting new people and going out with others is a good thing for them.

EditWorking on Your Relationship

Raise the issue. Instead of ignoring the issue until you explode and get mad, talk about the issue as soon as possible. Be open and honest about your feelings, but kind and caring towards your partner. You may be able to work through the problem if you talk about it. Perhaps your partner has a problem with some of your behavior or is uncomfortable about certain things. Knowing this can help you come to a solution.^[4]
- Try initiating the conversation by saying something like, "I feel like we are spending a little too much time together and I think I need more space. Can we discuss this?"
- Try to focus on the future and be specific about what you would like to see change. For example, you might say something like, "I think it would be good for us to have one evening apart every week. You can spend time alone with your friends and I will spend some time with my friends."
Listen to your partner. Listening to your significant other's feelings and taking them seriously will help open the pathway to fixing the problem. Showing that you care enough to talk about the issue, work through it, and take their criticism seriously may help lessen their neediness.
- Ask your partner an open-ended question about what he or she thinks about what you just shared.^[5] For example, try saying something like, "What do you think about this?"
- Make sure that you remove all distractions before you start talking so you can give your significant other your full attention. Put away your phone, turn off the TV, shut down your computer, and choose a quiet time and place to talk.
- While your significant other is talking, face them and make eye contact. You can also show that you are listening by nodding and using neutral statements, such as "yes," "I see," and "go on."^[6]
Let your significant other know what your needs are. Your partner may not know that you want more space or that you think they are too needy. Sit down with your significant other and talk to them. Let them know that you love being with them and spending time with them, but you would like a little more space.
- Explain that you want to do things for yourself, like work out, enjoy a hobby, or relax. Tell them that you may need half an hour to decompress after work alone, or you may want to have a night out with your friends. It is good to be specific about what your needs are so that your significant other will know what to expect.
- Try to explain your needs to your significant other by saying something like, "I understand that you love spending time with me, but I am a different person with different needs. I need more time to myself to get certain things done."
- Avoid waiting until you are angry and frustrated to deal with this. That can lead to fights and words that you may not mean.
Work on building trust. One way to help reduce the neediness of your significant other is to work on building trust between the two of you. Trust in a relationship is one of the most important things, especially if your partner has insecurities that causes them to be overly attached or emotional.^[7]
- Being reliable, doing what you say you're going to do, and being open and honest are cornerstones of building trust in a relationship. Help your partner know you care by being someone they can count on.
- Don't lie to your partner, even if you are trying to spare their feelings. If you lie and your partner finds out, it may make them more insecure and make the more needy.
- Be there for your partner. Your significant other may be needy due to past relationships, mental health issues, or other reasons. Don't leave your partner or ignore their needs. Establishing boundaries and space for the two of you doesn't mean you should abandon your partner. Make sure they know you care.
Set relationship goals together. One way to help deal with your needy significant other is to establish goals for your relationship together. Talk to one another about what you want and need from the relationship. Be specific about the goals and make sure they have clear and concrete markers.^[8]
- Goals can be about anything. Talk about where you want to be in one, two, five, or even twenty years.
- For example, your goals might be to take a vacation together to an exotic location combined with spending one night a week doing an activity alone or with other people.
Acknowledge what upsets each of you. Many times, when you are in a needy, clingy relationship, things will trigger an emotional, needy response. As you start to deal with your needy partner, be honest and discuss what the problem is. This will help open up the path for compromise and rebuilding the relationship.^[9]
- For example, if your partner gets upset if you don't answer texts, try explaining why you do this sometimes. For example, you might say something like, "I can't always check my phone at work. I get busy and I can't respond to your texts right away, so it is better to text me after work or wait for me to text you."
- Being able to acknowledge and address the issues can bring awareness so you both can work together to eliminate the behaviors.
Know when to end the relationship. You may come to a point where ending the relationship is the only way you can set healthy boundaries. Ending the relationship may be a last resort if you want to try to save your relationship. You may choose to end the relationship if it is no longer healthy for you.
- For example, you may want to end the relationship if your significant other refuses to get help or acknowledge the problem.
- You may decide to end the relationship if your partner has become controlling.
- Another reason you may want to end the relationship is because your significant other has gotten physically, emotionally, or verbally abusive.

EditSeeking Professional Help

Find out if the neediness was caused by past problems. If your significant other is needy, there may be a reason they feel so attached and clingy to you. Talk to them about why they feel this way. Perhaps it is caused by a past trauma or relationship, a mental illness, or severe insecurities from childhood.^[10]
- Don't just write off your significant other as crazy or obsessive. There may be a reason for their behavior that you can find out and then work on fixing.
Encourage treatment for anxiety or phobias. Sometimes, neediness stems from anxieties or fears. Perhaps they have anxiety about being unable to keep you because they feel too boring, ugly, or not good enough. Sometimes, the person may constantly be worried about something happening to you or that you will cheat. If they suffer from phobias, they may extend that phobia to you. If this the case for your significant other, encourage them to get treatment for the anxiety disorder^[11]^[12].
- There are many ways to manage and treat anxiety and phobias. Suggest that your significant other see a therapist or psychologist. Psychotherapy, such as talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, can help reduce anxiety symptoms.
- Relaxation techniques, like deep breathing and meditation, can help reduce anxiety symptoms. Regular exercise, like walking or yoga, also helps manage the disorder.
See a relationship counselor. You may benefit from going to a relationship counselor. A counselor can help mitigate problems between you and your significant other. A counselor or therapist may be able to help uncover underlying issues in the relationship. When going into relationship counseling, you both should approach it with an open mind.^[13]
- The counselor may point out problems on both sides, not just on your significant other.
- A counselor can help you find healthy ways to work through your issues.
Encourage your partner to find inner happiness. Much of your partner's neediness may stem from their insecurities. Encourage your significant other to work on their self-esteem. Help your partner see them the way that you do.^[14]
- Feeling like they need to be with you always, that they're not good enough, or feeling insecure may stem from a lack of self-confidence. Encourage your significant other to focus on themselves instead of you. They need to find their own interests and hobbies.
- Help your significant other realize their good qualities. Encourage them to start seeing themselves as a separate, independent person outside of you.
- Your significant other may need to get help from a therapist. A severe lack of self-esteem is a problem that may take months or even years to remedy.

EditRelated wikiHows

End-a-Controlling-or-Manipulative-Relationship

EditSources and Citations

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How to Answer Essay Type Questions in Literature Examinations

Posted: 16 Nov 2016 12:00 AM PST

Answering essay questions on literature exams can be daunting, especially with timed exams. Before the test, you should have a full understanding of how the different parts of a classical argument fit together to make a whole. The best way to quickly write an organized essay is to outline your argument before you begin your answer. With a little bit of preparation, you can ensure a good grade on your exam.

EditSteps

EditStructuring Your Argument

Learn the six basic parts of the classical oration model.^[1] Classical oration survives today through Cicero's (106 BC - 46 BC) De Inventione — a manual for how to argue. Cicero was a philosopher, a lawyer, a statesman — in short, a man who spent a lot of time arguing. Cicero's six-part structure still influences how we argue, whether we've heard of him or not. It's engrained in our Western culture. The six parts of the classical oration model are:
- Introduction (exordium)
- Statement of Facts (narratio)
- Thesis (partitio)
- Proof (confirmatio)
- Refutation (refutatio)
- Conclusion (peroratio)
- The introduction, statement of facts, and thesis are often grouped together in the first paragraph of the answer.
Invite the reader into your argument in the introduction. Though we call it the introduction now, Cicero's Latin for this first section of the paper was "exordium." This ancient word shares a root with the modern word "exhort," which means "to urge forward."^[2] To capture the spirit of what Cicero advised in opening an argument, you should use the introduction to urge the reader forward into your paper. Many arguments open with an interesting fact or quote — a "hook" to grab the reader's attention. Explain why the subject of this answer is so important. Your goal here is to make the reader care enough to want to keep reading.
- Another way to think of the exordium is to consider where the word "introduction" comes from. The prefix "intro" means "inward," as in introspection (looking inward). "Duction" comes from the latin root "ducere," which means "to lead." This is where we get the modern words duke (one who leads) and orchestra conductor (one who leads together).^[3]^[4]
- In the introduction, you want to intro + duce, or lead the reader inward, further into your argument.
Provide background information in the statement of facts. In this section, you give readers all the information they need to understand the subject of your argument. For example, if your readers have never read To Kill a Mockingbird, they won't be able to follow your analysis of the mockingbird symbol. You must first provide a short summary of what the book's about, so they can follow your nuanced argument.
- If your reader already knows the background information, you may be able to skip this section.
- In Cicero's Latin, this section was called the "narratio," which is where we get the modern word "narrator." The narrator is the voice in a book that gives readers information that can't be delivered through dialogue or action.
- The word "knowledge" itself shares a root with narration: gnoscere.^[5] In this section, you give the readers the knowledge they need to follow your argument.
Break down your argument in your thesis.^[6] Depending on how complex and long your argument is, your thesis might be one sentence or two to three sentences. If this is a short-answer question, the thesis should be a single sentence. If you have three hours to answer this question, it might be two or three sentences. A thesis statement does three things: 1) state your claim/stance; 2) state the key issues you will discuss to support that claim/stance; and 3) provide the order in which those issues will be covered. A good model for the thesis is: I will argue [claim/stance] through an analysis of X, Y, and Z. You must address points X, Y, and Z in this exact order.
- Cicero's Latin word, partitio, shares a root with the modern word "partition," which means division or separation. When Beyonce sings "Driver roll up the partition, please," she's asking the driver to roll up the window that separates him from the passengers in the back.
- So the thesis is where you list out the different parts of your argument — your X, Y, and Z — in list form, separately.
Show the readers the evidence for your claim in the proof.^[7] These are the body paragraphs of your argument. In shorter answers, the number of body paragraphs can correspond with the number of points in your thesis. If you offered an X, a Y, and a Z, you can discuss each element in a single, brief paragraph. In longer, more advanced essay questions, though, you should feel free to spend as many paragraphs as you need on each point of analysis. If the question asks for external sources, you want to use them in your body paragraphs as the supporting evidence for your claim. Fill your body paragraphs with as many supporting quotes and statistics from credible sources as you need to prove your point.
- Note that it's not enough to just list a bunch of quotes and statistics from sources. That's not making an argument — it's restating someone else's information or argument.
- The sources you use should only be used to support your own argument. Most of what you write in the body paragraphs should be your own thoughts on the subject.
Refute the counterargument.^[8] After you've laid out your own argument, you should address the opposition position. Doing so demonstrates that you're knowledgeable on the subject and you know what the people who disagree with you are arguing. It also shows that you're not scared of a fight: your argument is so strong that you can give dissents a voice in your paper without worrying they have a better argument than you. Most importantly, though, you want to demonstrate that you can dismantle the counterargument with your analysis and evidence.
- Don't include a counterargument without refuting it. To refute means to "beat back."^[9] The only reason you include the opposing point of view is to beat it back and strengthen your own position.
Synthesize your argument in the conclusion.^[10] In the conclusion, you should transition back from your refutation of the counterargument into a restatement of your own argument. But you should do more than just reword your thesis. At this point, your readers will have read all the evidence you provided. Now, you can explain to them how X, Y, and Z work together to actually prove your claim/stance. You might note that in the thesis you state your points, and in the conclusion you explain how they fit together as a whole.
- Do not transition into your conclusion with a signal phrase like "in conclusion" or "in summary." Find a less obvious, more sophisticated transition.

EditWriting Your Essay

Begin by outlining your essay. Now that you understand how the different parts of your argument work together, you can begin sketching out your ideas. You may be tempted to skip the work of outlining your paper and jumping right into the paper. You should know, though, that this doesn't save you any time. When you outline your ideas, you'll be able to actually write your essay much more quickly than you would without an outline.
- Create a bullet point for each point you choose to make in your paper.
- Your first point should include the introduction, statement of facts, and thesis.
- You should break up the "proof" or body paragraphs into however many points you laid out in your thesis. If you promised three points, create three bullet points. If you promised four points, create four bullet points. Remember that the body paragraphs must follow the exact order of the thesis.
- Create a point for the statement of the counterargument. You can either create a new point/paragraph for your refutation of it, or keep it all in one paragraph by making the refutation a subpoint.
- Create a point for the conclusion.
Fill out your outline.^[11] For each point in your outline, fill in the important information that will jog your memory when writing the essay. You don't have to write in full sentences or flesh ideas out in detail — just jot down whatever you need to keep you on track when you're lost in your sentences later.
- If you're using external sources, you should include them in your outline. You don't want to accidentally leave out a great source because you got caught up in the writing and forgot about it.
Write your topic sentences into your outline.^[12] The first sentence of each paragraph is called the "topic sentence," and it serves as a thesis for the paragraph. A thesis tells you the scope of what will be argued in the whole paper. A topic sentence tells you the scope of what will be argued in the paragraph. But the topic sentence does more than just point forward to what its paragraph will discuss. It also reaches back to create a smooth transition from the previous paragraph. Transitions can be difficult when you're in the middle of the essay. When looking at an outline, you can see how all the pieces fit together.
- Use transition words like furthermore, similarly, or indeed to transition between agreeing ideas. ^[13]
- Use "conflict" transition words and phrases to transition between conflicting ideas — like the counterargument and your refutation of it. Examples include however, in contrast, on the other hand, or conversely.
Use the outline to write your essay. If you put some thought into your outline, you should be able to follow it line by line to create the content of your essay. Even with a strong outline, you may have trouble getting the writing process started. Especially if the exam is timed, just start writing, even if you think it's terrible.^[14] If you just sat there staring into space, you wouldn't have anything down at all. This way, at least you have something to show, and you can always delete the bad material when you find your way to stronger language and points.
- Make sure to refer back to your outline repeatedly during the writing process. This is the roadmap of your answer. Don't wander away from it and get off-course.
Decide when to correct errors. Think about what the exam is testing. Are you being tested on your analysis or on your ability to write? The answer to this question will determine how much effort you should put into editing your sentences as you go.
- If you're being graded primarily on the content of your argument, leave grammar and spelling editing for your last step.
- If you're being graded primarily on your grammar and spelling, by all means, correct your errors as you go!
- In most cases, you won't be graded on one or the other. Keep your specific teacher or standardized test in mind. Have a strategy for when you plan to correct your errors before you take the test.
Proofread your essay before submitting it. Hopefully, you have time left over when you finish writing your essay, before you have to turn it in. Use this time wisely. Even if you're sick of working on the answer and you just want to be done with it, use this time to proofread your writing.
- If you're in an isolated room, read the essay aloud to yourself to look for grammar errors that sound wrong. It's easier to hear mistakes than see them on the page.^[15]
- Read your sentences backwards to look for spelling errors you might skim over if you were reading the sentences normally.^[16]