Winning English Now! Writing Persuasive Contest Essays

First Place Essay: Sheila (Earlimart,CA)

Taming Tardies

Have you ever heard of a school making their schedule start later and end later because of so many kids being marked tardy every school day? Well, the principal is now noticing all of the kids in the office being marked tardy, by more than half of a period. This is making the principal reconsider the current schedule. I really don’t think it’s necessary to change our school schedule. It’s worked out for many years, so now it has to be changed? These are some of the reasons why I think our schedule shouldn’t be changed: (1) I really don’t think some kids deserve coming to school later because of their laziness, (2) even now with our regular schedule, it starts to get dark early (imagine after the change), and (3) I also think that after changing the schedule, there is going to be a lot of things to fix.

I know you want to change our schedule because of so many kids being tardy, but some kids just don’t deserve it, because they’re just plain lazy. Some kids can stay up until twelve o’clock at night, and don’t worry about school the next day. They think they can just sleep and be tardy to school. Research studies show that about 43.99% of kids are late to school at least once in a while. Some kids just think it’s a good idea to be late. I know school is hard, but all the hard work will pay off, because in life you learn to be responsible when you work hard for things. I think students need to work hard to get up in time if they really want a good job.

After school, it starts to get dark right away on our normal schedule! We, as busy kids, still have a lot to do after school, like homework and sports. For example, in sports, we are in practice for about two hours. Imagine how it is outside when we come out of practice. When we get home, we have to do our homework and eat. Then, we want to go play, but we can’t, because it’s either too dark, or too late. A lot of kids will be walking in the dark, crossing roads with cars going at high speeds, and getting run over because they are not seen by the driver. If we do change the schedule, it will lead to a lot of accidents.

I know you think changing the schedule might sound like the best thing to do, but we are all going to be confused with the new schedule. I think with the new schedule coming in, there are going to be a lot of things to fix. Since it’s going to be dark right after school, the principal has to make sure the kids get home nice and safe throughout the week. I’m sure some kids’ parents won’t like this. There will be a lot of parents complaining. Other things like making sure all of the bells and clocks are working for the new schedules will need to be done. Now imagine how much confusion among the kids there is going to be! I think it’s just not the best thing for everyone.

I, along with other kids from school, don’t want our perfect schedule to be changed. I know changing the schedule might reduce the number of kids being late, but it’s just not good for this school. (1) Some trouble-makers and lazy kids just don’t deserve it. (2) After school, you can’t see anything because it’s dark. (3) There will be a lot of things to fix after the change of schedule. I’m calling on you to take action and do the right thing. Consider student safety and convenience first.

Second Place Essay: Jessica (Earlimart, CA)

The End of Organized Sports!

Can you believe that our School District is adopting a new tough policy [over organized sports]? The [budget] policy has lead to the end of all organized after school sports. Most students at our school believe that cancelling all sports for the whole entire year is going to be really unfair. The reason for cancelling school sports is because the school is going through an extremely hard budget problem, which leads the coaches to cancel their sports program. I want you to know that I strongly disagree with this shocking event for three major reasons: a)S are very healthy, b) we can help out our school, and c) sports are useful.

First, sports are a great way to stay healthy, especially if you’re on a team. In sports, 100% of the students run every day, and do other exercises, which are healthy, like basketball, football, and others. In fact, it makes students lose tons of calories each day that would normally turn into fat. Imagine that no more sports were out in the world or not allowed in school. What will happen? The main thing that will happen would be that your body could start to get weak and you will end up sick in bed. I understand that exercise is hard to do everyday, but most students in sports would get exercise which would help in their health, and that is very good. Being healthy is very important, especially to kids. So, why stop sports? Learn how exercise is helpful.

Next, students can help out the school and raise a little money. We can do T-shirt car washes, sell candy bars, or other things that are actually fun, and raise money in the process. I agree that students aren’t allowed to do work for the school, but students can learn how to be helpful and caring. Also, if 59% of the students who are in sports help raise money, it will teach them how to lend a hand which is a good lesson. Wouldn’t that be fun to care for our community and the school environment? By the way, helping out our school really pays off when you get older because when you apply for a job, you have a nice chance of getting that spot by being helpful and caring in the past. So don’t stop sports, and learn how to be helpful.

Finally, sports are often useful to students. Did you know that students who are in the streets are lonely and don’t have anything to do? If they are in sports, the students are off the streets. About 89% of kids pass through this and join in a sport. I agree that sports don’t teach our daily lessons, but some students want to be athletic and find sports as a career. Being in a sport can take us to the next level, like the NBA, NFL, NHL, NCAA, or other leagues. Playing in the NBA is an opportunity of a lifetime, and if students could accomplish that, they could earn millions. Being in sports is a very great thing, but if they take away sports, what can we do?

In conclusion, I disagree in having to say goodbye to sports. First, sports encourage good exercise. Second, supporting our school can keep sports and teach us how to raise money. Third, sports bring opportunities to students who might not be good at everything in the classroom. So show some support by coming to the Budget Cut Meeting this week.

Second Place Essay: Luis (Bakersfield, CA)

Fast Food on Campus

How many of you eat fast food for lunch? We want to bring fast food to the school campus. Some students do not like the cafeteria food and they want fast food. Students should get fast food at school for three reasons: (a) You will make more money, (b) students would not be hungry and will work harder, and (c) it gives kids a variety of things to eat.

The school would make more money if we had a fast food concession. The school would make more money because students wouldn’t bring lunch from home. With all that money, you could buy better teaching equipment. For example, the school could buy better projectors, whiteboards, and markers. The teachers would be able to teach better. All in all, if we make more money, we will be able to buy more and better equipment.

Students will not be hungry and will work harder if we have a fast food concession. Students will get a little smarter. Students will get better grades because they will be able to pay more attention. The school will get better test scores. To sum up, students will work harder if they are not hungry.

If we get a fast food concession, kids will get a variety of things to eat. Students can pick what foods they want. Students will be happier with their favorite foods. Sixty-two percent of my class wants to eat fast food in school. In conclusion, please bring us different types of fast foods.

As I mentioned earlier, students should get a fast food concession in the school. We would make more money. Students will work harder because they will not be hungry. Students will get more choices on what to eat. Please bring a fast food concession to our school.

Third Place Essay: Marylou (Erlimart, CA)

Cell Phones at School

The news that we were going to get a [cell phone ban] policy shocked many of us. The School Board is thinking of having a student cell phone policy for our school district. This has been discussed because of classroom disturbances and disruptions. The School Board is adopting a student cell phone policy for our school district. I want you to know that I strongly agree with the School Board. We should have a phone policy for three reasons: a) Students might get distracted by their cell phones, b) they might want to use their cell phone to cheat, and c) their phone has a better chance of not getting stolen.

First of all, students might get distracted by their cell phone during class. Many students would text their friends, gossip with each other, or have a conversation on their phone and not learn. If they have music or videos in their cell phone, they’re listening to it or showing it to another student. They’re not listening to the teacher, and they’re not learning. Fifty percent of students with cell phones during class will more than likely be texting, watching a video, or listening to music on their phone. As a result, students with their cell phones would get distracted, not learn, and won’t be ready for the CST.

Second, students might want to use their cell phone to cheat or get answers for a test. All phones have a calculator in them and can easily get the answers for a test.

Finally, their phone has a better chance of not getting stolen and staying with the person who brought it. Imagine this, a student has just bought his first cell phone and takes it to school. By the end of the day, it is stolen or lost. Twenty-five percent of students take their phone to school and it is stolen or lost. My friend has had three phones, within the last three years, and they have all been stolen at school. Like I said before, your phone is better off at home than at school, where it could be stolen.

As mentioned earlier, I strongly agree with the School Board. The school should have a ban on cell phones at school. The phones might distract the students and those students won’t learn. They can also use their phones to get answers. Their phone is better off at home than at school. Although phones can be used for emergencies or for calling parents to tell them you have tutoring, there is more bad than good that comes from a cell phone. For example, a phone can be used to cheat, it also distracts people, and it may get stolen at school. I understand that a phone is needed for certain activities, like telling your parents you’re going to stay after school, but the risks of it getting stolen or the student getting in trouble for using it are too high. You must come to the School Board meeting on January the first, and set our standards for the student phone policy.

Third Place Essay: Daniel (Bakersfield, CA)

Cell Phones at School

Did you know that the local board of education is adopting a student cell phone policy [to allow cell phones at school]? This controversy has divided teachers, parents, and students. Some people disagree because they think it is going to be a disruption. I disagree with the local school board because it would be a disruption in classrooms for the following reasons: a) It would be a disruption, b) students won’t learn because of texting, and c) students may use cell phones to cheat.

First of all, cell phones would be a disruption. The cell phone might ring and everybody will stop working. Students will get off-task because they will forget what they are supposed to do. So then they will have to ask another student and they will disrupt them. Students might lose their cell phone if they bring it to school or it may get stolen. Furthermore, if teachers take away the cell pone from a student, it would be a disruption because they would have to stop teaching the lesson.

Next, cell phones should not be allowed at school because of student texting. This will cause them to not pay attention. For example, students won’t listen or pay attention if they have a cell phone. They won’t know what is going on in class because they will be too busy texting in class. As has been noted, cell phones should not be allowed at school.

Third, students will be able to cheat on exams with their cell phones. For instance, they could put the answers to a test on their cell phone. In addition, they may also let their friends borrow their cell phone with the answer to an exam so they can cheat. If they get caught, students will have to deal with the consequences of receiving a failing grade. Therefore, parents should not let their kids bring their cell phone to school.

Finally, I am against the local school board’s decision to allow cell phones at school. As mentioned before, it would be a disruption in class. Also, if students bring their cell phone, they won’t learn because of texting. Students can also cheat by bringing their cell phones to school. I urge you to attend the school board meeting on Tuesday evening at 6 o’clock and sign the petition to not allow cell phones at school.