I basically had to write an entire paper on why my parents should let me go
It worked, so I'm not complaining in the slightest.
I did that once for when I really wanted something. I didn't think the paper was that good, and just picked the item I wanted kind-of at random, but they really liked the paper, read it to all the relatives, etc. It worked much better than I imagined.
In short: Don't underestimate the power of writing a persuasive piece to your parents.
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Tow tell me what this is for again? I sorta lost track what with all the acronyms