Beyond the Basics: Crafting Compelling Essays for College & Beyond
"Beyond the Basics" empowers high schoolers to write compelling essays for college & beyond. Interactive lessons & feedback build persuasive writing, critical thinking, & real-world skills for academic success.
New on Outschool
What's included
10 live meetings
7 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursAssignments
1-2 hours per week. As we build on our skills of essay writing, we will have assignments geared towards our essay writing skills that we've learned.Assessment
There will be instructor feedback throughout the course based on the different elements of the writing processClass Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Course Description: This is a 10-week online essay writing course for high school-aged students that will have synchronous meetings once a week with weekly assignments. Course Objectives: Students will learn to develop sophisticated essay writing skills, including crafting compelling arguments, refining their prose, and adapting their writing for various purposes and audiences, particularly for college applications and standardized tests. Required Materials: Access to a computer with internet connection Word processing software (Google Docs, Microsoft Word, etc.) Notebooks for brainstorming and drafting This is an interactive class requiring learner participation in discussions and brainstorming activities. There will be small lectures of new content and then we will dive into discussion and questions. I work hard to adapt my teaching style to individual learners. Learners are also welcome to message me through Outschool with any questions they have on the assisgnments when we are not in class.
Learning Goals
Students will learn how to understand what essay prompts are truly asking of them.Students will learn how to craft exceptional essays for college applications, school assignments, scholarship applications and so much more.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)10 Lessons
over 10 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction - The Power of Persuasion & The Essay's Purpose (45 min)
Icebreaker/Introductions (5 min)
Why Essays Matter: Beyond Grades (10 min)
Defining "Compelling": Elements of Effective Writing (15 min)
Course Overview & Expectations (10 min)
Homework: Analyze a sample "compelling" essay (provided) 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Generating Ideas & Developing a Thesis (45 min)
Brainstorming Techniques: Freewriting, Mind Mapping, etc. (15 min)
Crafting a Strong Thesis Statement: Clarity, Focus, and Argument (15 min)
Thesis Statement Workshop: Peer Review (10 min)
Homework: Develop 3 potential thesis statements for a chosen topic. 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Structuring Your Argument: Outlines & Organization (45 min)
Different Essay Structures: Argumentative, Expository, Narrative (15 min)
Creating Effective Outlines: Logical Flow & Supporting Evidence (15 min)
Outline Workshop: Individual Feedback (10 min)
Homework: Create a detailed outline for one of the chosen thesis statements. 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
The Art of the Introduction & Conclusion (45 min)
Hooking the Reader: Engaging Introductions (15 min)
Powerful Conclusions: Leaving a Lasting Impression (15 min)
Analyzing Strong and Weak Introductions/Conclusions (10 min)
Homework: Write an introduction and conclusion for the outlined essay. 45 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Supply List
A notebook for brainstorming
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
We will refer to the book, They Say/I Say: The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing
Graff, G., & Birkenstein, C. (2024). They Say/I Say: The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing (6th ed.). W.W. Norton & Company.
Joined February, 2025
New on Outschool
Teacher expertise and credentials
I obtained a Master's degree in the interdisciplinary study of Educational Psychology, Communication Studies, and Mass Communications from Texas Tech University. I also hold a valid Texas Teaching Certificate in English Language Arts and Reading grades 7-12 and ESL grades 7-12. I have extensive experience teaching high school aged students and preparing them for college readiness exams and state standardized exams at the early college high school that I teach at.Reviews
Live Group Course
$20
weekly1x per week, 10 weeks
45 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
2-10 learners per class
