Some students learn best when they can look at a sample of what you're trying to teach them, and it might be useful for them to have an example to fall back on later in the process. For elementary school age students, use examples that are more opinion-based. Focus on more academically based examples for middle and high school students. For example, you might show elementary school age students a piece of writing that argues that one brand of soda is better than the other. The best brand of soda is based on opinion, but your students will still see that they still have to give reasons or justification that supports their opinion. For middle and high school age students, a good example might be an article that argues that older teens need more sleep than elementary age children. This article will likely use scientific research to support its claims, so your students will see that the reasons and justifications they give to support their position need to based on more than how they feel about a particular subject. Once you've shown your students examples of persuasive writing, lead a discussion during which you ask your students to point out what they found effective about the writing and what they thought didn't work. For example, if you've read a piece about the benefits of more sleep for older students, you could say "Do you think older students need more sleep? Why?" Your students therefore not only have to assess the article's argument, but how the author used evidence to support that argument. Once your students have evaluated a completed piece of persuasive writing, show them what the process of creating one looks like by talking through it with them. You may also start with an explanation of what you want your students to do and then provide the example. For example, using an overhead projector, start drafting your own essay on a topic you've selected beforehand. Think out loud and write as you go so that your students can actually see what the writing process looks like, and so they can see that even teachers are not perfect in the way that they write and that quality writing takes time and practice. However, do some preparation in advance so that you do not end up wasting time or looking disorganized. This is an especially useful strategy when you're working with students who don't have a lot of experience with writing - elementary school students or perhaps students whose first language is not English. This method can also be useful for older students as the complexity of their assignments increases.

Summary: Show your students examples of persuasive writing. Ask your students what they found effective. Show your students what you want them to do.

Start with whole numbers when explaining compound interest at first. Explain the concepts of earning money by saving with a high-interest rate. Then, use websites (like https://www.investor.gov/) to calculate compounding interest over time. There, the child can do calculations on how much they'd earn at different interest rates. You can say something like, "If you saved $10 a month until you were 22, you'd have $1,200 but if you started saving in 5 years, you'd only have $600." You can also say something like, "If you saved $100 in an account with a 15% compounding interest rate over 30 years, you'd have over $6,500!" Search online with the teen and suggest different opportunities that might be beneficial. Businesses are also likely to hire around gift-giving holidays. Visit local businesses around the holidays and ask them if they are hiring. Once the teen gets a job and starts earning their own money, they'll better understand the value of money and the hard work that it takes to earn. Help the teen dress for the part and write their first resume. Walk them through the entire job-searching process because it can be overwhelming at first. The teen can work as a busser, server, cashier, or as a customer service representative in a retail store. Write down a list of your teen's income and expenses every month and subtract the expenses from the income. This will give the teen a good idea of how much money they can spend after they get paid. Go over the budget with the teen and see where you can eliminate costs so that they can save more. Creating a budget is also very beneficial if the teen has things they are paying for themselves, like a monthly cell phone bill or car insurance. If you notice that they spend a lot on clothes or other things they don't need, talk to them about the value of saving. For example, if the teen makes $150 per week at their job and their total weekly expenses are around $100, it means they have $50 they can save or use for spending money. You can create the budget in a spreadsheet instead of using pencil and paper. Another option is to let your teen use the expense analyst tool on your bank's website, or an app, such as "You need a Budget." This will give your teen a visualization of where their money is going. Some banks will only allow teenagers under 18 to open a bank account with an adult. Take the teen to the bank and talk to a representative about opening up a joint account. This will provide a means for the teen to save money and will give you the power to monitor how they are spending they are money. Once you set up the account, show them how to use any online banking features. Walk the teen through setting up their pin number and using the ATM. Explain what taxes are used for and the programs that they fund. You should also fill out tax forms with the teen during tax time on websites like TurboTax or H&R Block. Guide them through the steps and explain everything to them as you do their taxes together. The IRS student portal has exercises and information that the teen can use. Visit the IRS student portal at https://apps.irs.gov/app/understandingTaxes/student/index.jsp. Look at colleges and compare tuition costs with the teen. Explain how the interest on loans will accrue the longer the loan isn't fully paid. Warn the teen about the dangers of credit cards and how their credit score will affect their ability to purchase a car or house in the future. Advise the teen that they should only get a credit card if they are able to pay it off every month. Factor in the savings gained through scholarships, grants, and financial aid.

Summary: Explain compound interest to 11- to 14-year-olds. Help teens get their first job. Teach them how to budget. Open a savings account with them so they can save. Show the teen how to fill out their taxes if they have a job. Compare the cost of colleges to teach them about debt and credit.

When you've finished your first draft of your paper, step away from it for at least a little while. Waiting to revise for a day or two is ideal, although that may not be possible under a deadline. Getting your mind away from your essay is beneficial in that it allows you to come back at it with a fresh perspective. You'll see errors and areas for expansion that you never would have considered before. This is another reason why it is best to not procrastinate when writing an essay of this type. You will need ample time to complete the process in a patient way in order to create your best possible work. As soon as you know that you'll need to write an essay it is a good idea to approach a friend or classmate and ask them to spend a bit of time looking over your rough draft. Before you hand over your draft it is a good idea to let you reader know if there are any particular 'trouble areas' that you would like them to focus on. You might say, "Please focus on the word choice as that is a weakness of mine." Once you've given your paper some down time and had another person look it over you will then need to start the personal revision process. Find a quiet place where you can sit down and closely read over your essay word-by-word. Look for both macro (large, major) and micro (smaller, details) issues and make these changes. Some people find it helpful to print out your paper at this point and make your revisions on a hard copy. This can also protect you in the event that you experience any computer troubles. One strategy is to split your revisions into two parts: one revision for grammar and spelling and another to examine the organization and content of your paper. When you are writing a 'split' topic essay, such as a compare/contrast or cause/effect, it is particularly important to make your transitions clear and obvious to the reader. This will signal to your reader that you are switching from one area to another. Good transition words include, "therefore," "consequently," "thus," and many others.
Summary: Leave it alone. Ask a friend to read it. Read it again and revise. Pay attention to the transitions.