2D Text Box (Shape) problem!

Can someone help? I’m totally lost. The effect don’t work, after watching numerous tutorials and googling for hours, I can’t get this to work AT ALL. Whether I apply the effect directly to the empty composition or directly to the text layer in the comp, adjusting the effect simply won’t work. When I try to connect the shape and the text at the dropdown in the effect setting directing it to the according text layer - nothing happens. They don’t connect - so I can’t design text and shape together. I can’t change positions, can’t scale, change colours, strokes. The newly created form simply doesn’t move at all. It stays just one individual shape and one individual text, no chance of getting them to work together. Its SUPERFRUSTRATING!! HELP!