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The 5 Paragraph Essay: For High School, College, and Beyond

I believe everyone can become a capable writer, but no-one is born one. Let me coach your student using the method I have used with 100's of other writers allowing them to stand out to their teachers, professors and employers.
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What's included

Meets on Demand
schedule meetings as needed
60 mins
per session
Teacher support

Class Experience

US Grade 9 - 12
Beginner - Advanced Level
I adapted this lesson format from college AP writing classes I taught for over a decade and from my own experiences. I find that it contributes to a learner's overall academic and professional success. My approach is straightforward and follows this pattern: 1) Write a 3-sentence introductory paragraph that "Identifies the purpose of the essay and 3 supporting concepts"; 2) using the 3 supporting concepts, write 3 body paragraphs each articulating how each concept supports the essay's purpose; and 3) write a conclusion paragraph restating the purpose of the essay and reiterating the 3 supporting concepts.

Depending on your learner's needs, I will adjust the pace and content so the learner is challenged but not overwhelmed. If you are using this private lesson to assist the learner in another class, we will integrate the 5-paragraph essay into their other learning environment, and I will work systematically with them through their syllabus, providing further examples, lessons, and encouragement.

If your goal is to supplement their learning more generally, I recommend mastering the following basic essay types, which best prepare students for college and future employment:

Expository Essays: These essays explain a topic or idea by presenting facts, statistics, and examples to inform or explain something to the reader.

Argumentative Essays: These essays offer a well-reasoned argument on a debatable issue, requiring the writer to take a stance and support it with evidence and reasoning.

Persuasive Essays: Similar to argumentative essays, persuasive essays aim to convince the reader to accept a particular viewpoint, often relying more on emotional appeals and personal opinions.

Descriptive Essays: These essays emphasize describing a person, place, object, or event in vivid detail, using sensory information to create a strong impression.

Narrative Essays: These essays tell a story or recount an event or experience, often written in the first person to engage the reader with a compelling narrative.

The student will choose the subject matter for all essays with your permission, and I will provide prompts if they hit writer's block. I will offer ongoing assessments of their progress. 

Since the class is based on structured learning paths similar to English 101 at the college level or AP English, we can develop a learning path that potentially provides a letter grade.

Once you enroll your learner, we will conduct an assessment to determine their strengths and areas of growth, then develop a written plan to track progress. Our one-on-one time will be used to monitor their progress, offering support through my own writing, individualized exercises, and other necessary learning resources.
Learning Goals
Students will learn how to write a 5 paragraph essay.
Students will learn how to write sentences and rewrite sentences so that they meet the expectations of 90% of all readers which means that each sentence will have a person as its subject, an action verb and an object for that action.
learning goal

Other Details

External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined August, 2024
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Teacher expertise and credentials
Juris Doctor in Finance from Georgia State University College of Law
Master's Degree in English Language and Literature from University of Tennessee
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Clarks Summit University
I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education English, a Master of Arts Degree in Professional Writing and Doctor of Jurisprudence.  I have over 30 years of professional experience, including 10 years as a high school and college English teacher and 20 years as a corporate attorney.  I taught AP English at a college prep academy in Chattanooga, TN and English 101 at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Chattanooga State Technical Community College.  

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Live 1-on-1 Lessons
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$55

per session
Meets on demand
60 min

Live video meetings
Ages: 15-18

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