$27
weeklyor $427 for 16 classes
Essay Writing Essentials: Weekly Academic Writing Class & Personalized Feedback
Completed by 414 learners
Ages 11-16
Live Group Course
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 hoursAssignments
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 writersClass 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 CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)16 Lessons
over 16 WeeksLesson 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
Teacher expertise and credentials
3 teachers have teaching certificates
Massachusetts Teaching Certificate in Social Studies/History
Washington Teaching Certificate in Special Education
North Carolina Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
3 teachers have a Graduate degree
Master's Degree from University of Massachusetts
Master's Degree in English from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Master's Degree in Education from Teachers College at Columbia University
9 teachers have a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's Degree in History from Westfield State College
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from Rochester Institute of Technology
Bachelor's Degree in Art and Design from Rowan University
Bachelor's Degree in English from Bryan College
Bachelor's Degree in History from Bryan College
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from San Francisco State University
Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature from The University of New Mexico
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from California State University, Fresno
Bachelor's Degree in Fine/Studio Arts from UW-Whitewater
Bachelor's Degree in Foreign Language from North Carolina State University
Bachelor's Degree from North Carolina State University
State Certified ELA teacher
Master's degree in English Education
14 years of experience as public and private school teacher
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