The document provides instructions for a writing assignment asking students to choose someone they know personally to be President of the United States, and explain their choice in a paragraph. It includes questions to brainstorm ideas, guidance on writing a rough draft and getting it edited, and an example paragraph. Students are asked to pick a person, explain why they would make a good president, how they would help the country, what changes they would make, and potential challenges of being president.

1. Name: _________________ #: ____ Date: ______________
You Pick the President
The President of the United States has a very important job taking care of the people of the
United States. The President must do his or her best to take care of the people of the U.S. and
build relationships with other countries. He or she has to make difficult decisions and work 7 days
a week, including holidays. If you had to pick someone you know to be President of the United
States, who would you pick and why? The person must be someone you know personally, not a
celebrity or famous athlete that you’ve only met once or have seen on TV. How would that person
help the U.S.? What would make them the right person to be President?
Brainstorm your ideas on the back of this paper using the questions I provided for you before
starting your rough draft. After you answer the questions turn them into a paragraph about the
day you were a different age. Then have an adult help you edit your rough draft by looking for
capital letters, correct punctuation and grammar, spelling mistakes, and how well you stayed on
topic. Last, rewrite your paragraph in your neatest handwriting or type it up on the computer.
Make sure to turn in this sheet, your edited rough draft, and your final copy.
REMEMBER:
1. Sentences should start with a capital and end with a period, question mark, or exclamation
point.
complete
2. A sentence should be a complete thought or idea. Your paragraph should have at least 5
sentences.
3. Strong sentences have vivid details.
4. Your paragraph should stay on topic and have a topic sentence, detail sentences, and a
concluding sentence. Don’t forget to indent!
should
5. All words should be spelled correctly. Have an adult proofread your paragraph before
turning it in.
Here’s an example of my paragraph:
If I had to pick one person I know to be the President of the United States I would choose my aunt
Pat because she is smart, confident, and a great listener. My aunt is also a great cook and whenever
someone has a problem or needs some advice she invites them over to her house for a home cooked meal
and listening ear. My aunt works as a director for the government already, so I know that she would feel
comfortable in the White House and make a great partner for the Vice President as well. My aunt would
probably do her best to end the problems many children and families have with going hungry. She loves to
know that people are taken care of and has a huge heart for even people who aren’t family. I know she
would make the U.S. better through her compassion and selfless actions. I think the hardest part of being
President would be the time my aunt would be away from her family. She would do a great job running the
country though!
Turn to the back to fill out the organizer.

2. If you had to pick someone you know to be the President of the United States, who would
you choose?
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Why would you choose that person?
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How would they help the people and country of the United States?
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What would they change to the make the United States a better place to live?
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What are some things that might be hard for them if they were President?
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