Editor’s note: Today’s letters to the editor are from Southwest Junior High students learning about persuasive writing.

To the editor:

As you may have noticed, many businesses have gone out of business. In Lawrence, businesses have closed all over town. Just recently the business Arensberg’s has closed. This is an example of how the economy is bad. Another example is that in October the unemployment rate increased from 6.1 to 6.5, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor.

We can save our money in many creative ways. You must first think what I can cut down on and how can I save money. My mom and dad have told me, “I think that food is most important thing you need to survive.” My grandparents have told me “the least valuable things you need is everything else you absolutely don’t need to survive.” I have asked many people around Lawrence what they need to survive and nine out of 10 people said food. So here’s a list of things you need to survive: food, shelter, clothing, health, money and first aid.

This is just a list of what people and I think. If you have these things you are in luck. If you don’t I suggest you go get some of these items. If you have left over money you could buy something that you want, but don’t need.

Xavier Kenney,

Southwest Junior High