Does your student need a helping hand? I work with 6-12^th grade students on academic and personal writing—identifying strengths, next steps and skills needed for current and future assignments. 

It’s a positive approach that strengthens confidence and allows students to practice the 7 essential skills of writing in a fun and engaging manner:

1. Ideas & Content

All writing starts with ideas; content is at the heart of every piece. It is far easier to brainstorm ideas with another person.

2. Sensory Details

Sensory details bring a piece to life. Students learn that a clear message and supporting details are critical to conveying their ideas. We also read, discuss, and practice sensory descriptions and “showing” not “telling.”

3. Voice

Voice is what makes a piece unique, whether it be a school essay or creative writing. I encourage students to explore all aspects of their voice: their humor, descriptive powers, and other aspects of themselves that make them unique.

4. Organization

Every piece of writing should have a logical sequence or pattern. Students learn that strong beginnings, smooth transitions, and satisfactory conclusions make writing easy to follow and, therefore, engaging and effective. They practice this writing skill as they respond to feedback and edit their pieces.

5. Word Choice

Word choice is often mistaken for complicated vocabulary, rather it is developing the ability to choose the right words to convey one’s precise meaning. We play with vocabulary and figurative language, both orally and in writing.

6. Sentence Flow

In a good piece of writing, sentences vary in length and complexity, which creates a pleasing rhythm and flow in a piece. I teach students to improve sentence flow by reading their work aloud. If a piece sounds choppy, it’s simply a sign to edit some more.

7. Conventions & Mechanics

Conventions are a courtesy to the reader, making writing easier to read by putting it in a form that the reader expects and is comfortable with. Mechanics include such things as spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and paragraphs. I use creative writing activities to support this skill.

Please contact me for further information, hourly and package rates.