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or $427 for 16 classes
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Essay Writing Essentials: Weekly Academic Writing Class & Personalized Feedback

Completed by 414 learners
Ages 11-16
Live Group Course
Learn how to master essays in one hour a week without overwhelm so that you can write with confidence.
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(597 reviews)
Popular

Live video meetings
1x per week, 16 weeks
1-8 learners per class
55 min

What's included

16 live meetings
14 hrs 40 mins in-class hours
Assignments
In-class assignments are given every week. Students write only in class. There is no homework (except for students who need extra time to write or get behind). We know students have busy lives and we have structured this class to consist only of high-value, high-impact in-class teaching and writing assignments. Feedback is given verbally and/or written to students in class and in their Google docs each week.
Assessment
informal verbal feedback in class written feedback in Google Docs There are no letter grades assigned in this class--the focus is on mastery of material with in-depth written feedback provided for the student every week to help them grow as writers

Class Experience

US Grade 6 - 9
➡️ Not ready to learn essays? Still need help with paragraphs? Join Paragraph Writing Essentials: https://bit.ly/paragraphwritingessentials

➡️ Already mastered essays? Ready for more advanced academic writing? Join Academic Writing Essentials: https://bit.ly/academicwritingessentials

➡️ Want one-on-one help? Check out my private tutoring class: https://outschool.com/classes/private-one-on-one-writing-tutoring-ongoing-class-6f8DQvwo



MASTER THE ART OF ESSAY WRITING 

We have taught these essential writing techniques to students of all backgrounds and ability levels in grades 6-12 in classrooms to help them confidently write strong essays.

This class demystifies the writing process, making essay writing easy, fun, and accessible.

We focus on only the most essential skills--no fluff--including:

🎯 The writing process – from brainstorming to final drafts

🎯 Ideation, organization, structure, and logical coherence

🎯 Argumentative/persuasive and literary analysis essays, the most common high school assignments

By mastering these skills, students will no longer say, "I don’t know what to write next!"



WHO IS THIS CLASS FOR?

This class is perfect for:

Middle & high school students – the class is directly applicable to their writing assignments

Creative or reluctant writers – we welcome both!

Students who want to improve their ability to write strong, confident essays



WHY PARENTS AND KIDS LOVE THIS CLASS

Here's what makes this class so popular with our families:

🎯 No homework! – All writing work is completed DURING class time

🏡 Optimized for busy families – Teaching only the skills that truly matter for essay mastery

👉 Personalized feedback – Students receive direct, constructive input on their work inside their Google Doc

🏆 Proven results! – Students leave the class with clear, structured writing skills and improved confidence in their ability to craft strong essays.

We know kids have a lot on their plate, so we make sure students can practice, refine, and improve their writing in class. Of course, they’re welcome to write more outside of class if they choose.



WHAT TO EXPECT IN CLASS

📖 Each week, we teach a new proven writing strategy or method that contributes to writing compelling essays

✍️ Students have time to write from scratch, revise, or build on their writing using that week’s strategy

🤝 Students will share their work with the teacher, and sometimes in small groups or with the class in a relaxed, encouraging, and supportive environment

📝 Students get feedback in their Google doc from the teacher directly

Students who stay for multiple weeks will develop tried-and-true techniques for high school-level essay writing. By the end, they will be writing excellent essays with confidence!

In class time alone, students will complete 2-4 full essays, plus additional writing exercises such as brainstorming, paragraphs, and outlines.

Note: We do not focus on grammar. Grammar is only corrected if it interferes with clarity and communication.



TECH REQUIREMENTS

🖥️ Google Docs access required – Students should know how to use it before joining



WEEKLY SCHEDULE
(Subject to change based on student needs)

📝 Weeks 1-3: Outlining & Structuring Essays

Week 1: Outlines for Essays
Week 2: Essay Structure
Week 3: Putting It All Together

🔍 Weeks 4-9: Building Strong Arguments

Week 4: Thesis Statements
Week 5: More on Thesis Statements & Topic Sentences
Week 6: Gathering & Incorporating Evidence
Week 7: Citing Evidence
Week 8: Analyzing Evidence
Week 9: More on Analysis & Reasoning

📚 Weeks 10-15: Polishing & Writing Literary Essays

Week 10: Introductions
Week 11: Conclusions
Week 12: Literary Essay Introduction
Week 13: Literary Essay Writing
Week 14: Literary Essay Revisions
Week 15: Final Round of Essays

🎓 Week 16: Recap & Review


Sign up your child and watch them gain confidence in their writing skills. Whether your child loves writing or struggles with it, this class will equip them with the confidence and techniques to write outstanding essays.



YOUR INSTRUCTOR:

📓 DERRICK HEISEY, Writer and Teacher: Since 2015, Derrick has taught every grade level from Kindergarten to 12th. He is a licensed Special Education teacher with a degree in English Creative Writing from the University of New Mexico and a minor in Philosophy. He's published short stories and poetry, and produces a podcast where he reads his original fiction. According to him, mastering the written word is one of the most empowering journeys a person can pursue, and nothing brings him as much joy as sharing that passion with students. Everyone has something important to say; they just need to find the right words, and Derrick can’t wait to help his students discover their voices. When he isn’t teaching, you can find him in his garden inspecting tomatoes, scribbling in a notebook, or reading a book with his dachshund Charlie Marlow curled up on his lap.

Learning Goals

Understand and Apply the Writing Process: Learn how to brainstorm, outline, draft, revise, and finalize essays.
Develop Strong Essay Structure: Organize essays with clear introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions while maintaining logical coherence.

Syllabus

Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
Standards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
16 Lessons
over 16 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Outlines for Essays
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Essay Structure
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Putting It All Together
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Thesis Statements
55 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Supply List
Students should have access to Google Docs and know how to use it.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:

Offered by

4.9
597reviews
Popular
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Massachusetts Teaching Certificate in Social Studies/History
Chris Hurley
Washington Teaching Certificate in Special Education
Derrick Heisey
North Carolina Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Daniel Grissom, M.A.
Master's Degree from University of Massachusetts
Chris Hurley
Master's Degree in English from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Joanna Gallagher
Master's Degree in Education from Teachers College at Columbia University
Daniel Grissom, M.A.
Bachelor's Degree in History from Westfield State College
Chris Hurley
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from Rochester Institute of Technology
Maggie Wehler
Bachelor's Degree in Art and Design from Rowan University
Mike Jasorka, Comics Pro
Bachelor's Degree in English from Bryan College
Joanna Gallagher
Bachelor's Degree in History from Bryan College
Joanna Gallagher
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from San Francisco State University
Kevin Anthony Catalan
Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature from The University of New Mexico
Derrick Heisey
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from California State University, Fresno
Kaitlyn Sydelle, Anime Comic Artist
Bachelor's Degree in Fine/Studio Arts from UW-Whitewater
Jes Sudbrink
Bachelor's Degree in Foreign Language from North Carolina State University
Daniel Grissom, M.A.
Bachelor's Degree from North Carolina State University
Daniel Grissom, M.A.
State Certified ELA teacher
Master's degree in English Education
14 years of experience as public and private school teacher

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