How to convince my parents to get a rat?

You don't. Rats being rats, aside, any pet costs $$ and is a huge physical responsibility to boot. If you don't have any income, or are busy with school/life, then you have no reason to complain that your parents won't "let" you "get" anything.

When you have a job, and enough free time, then you may have reason to complain - then again, you don't have to pay rent, or for groceries, or for any bills.... Their house, their rules. Start by proving responsibility (get a job, volunteer) and earning the $$ for the pet/s yourself. Once you've done that you can start talking to them about pets, including your research on rats and how they make good pets (use references), don't spread disease (have a vet on hand for parents to confirm with), etc etc. If you really want pets then move out - if you're underage then you're SOL, and can wait a few years.

I was never allowed to have rats when I was living at home. The most I could talk them into was a guinea pig, and I worked for it. I got my rats when I moved out and even now get the stink eye for having them.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.