Writing an Informative / Explanatory / Expository Research Essay
High school students master essay writing in this self-paced English course. Step-by-step lessons cover research, thesis, body paragraphs, revisions, and MLA formatting for academic success.
Martha Jackson, English Language Arts and Writing
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(630)
Star Educator
Popular
What's included
6 pre-recorded lessons
6 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentHomework
As students are writing papers in this class, homework will be assigned that is specific to the task that was covered in class. Students can generally expect to spend about an hour a lesson on homework (in addition to watching the videos), some assignments will require less of the student. Some students may want to spend more than an hour on assignments, but it is not required or expected. Homework assignments are focused on learner's own essays, and each lesson is broken down into specific, manageable tasks.Assessment
All submitted work will receive personalized feedback before students move on to the next task, specifically the outline and rough draft. There are no set deadlines for this class. I am happy to provide feedback on work whenever it is completed. Learners and parents have the option of receiving a letter grade at the end of the class on their final paper. A grading rubric will be provided at the beginning of class for these students.Grading
Learners and parents have the option of receiving a letter grade at the end of the class on their final paper. A grading rubric will be provided for these students. Grades will be given to any student who requests them.Class Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Beginner - Intermediate Level
✍️ CONFIDENCE IN ESSAY WRITING STARTS HERE If your high schooler feels unsure about essay writing, this self-paced course offers the support and structure they need to succeed. With step-by-step guidance and personalized feedback, students move from uncertainty to turning in a clear, confident final draft—without the stress. There are no live meetings, so students can complete the work on their own schedule. I provide direct, encouraging feedback on each major part of the writing process. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 📘 WHAT YOUR STUDENT WILL LEARN Through six structured lessons, students will: ✅ Choose a topic and conduct guided research using reliable sources ✅ Build a strong thesis and organize their ideas in a clear outline ✅ Write and revise effective body paragraphs with citations ✅ Craft thoughtful introductions and conclusions ✅ Format a Works Cited page correctly ✅ Apply revision strategies to strengthen their final draft Each lesson includes a short teaching video, printable resources, and an assignment that builds toward a completed essay. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 📝 FEEDBACK THAT MOVES STUDENTS FORWARD Students complete assignments in a shared Google Doc. I give direct, personalized feedback—especially on outlines, rough drafts, and final submissions—within three business days (often sooner). This support helps students improve as they go, without feeling overwhelmed. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 📈 WHO THIS CLASS IS FOR This course is designed for high school students who need to strengthen their writing foundation. Whether your teen is new to formal essays or needs a refresher on structure and clarity, this class provides the tools and encouragement to move forward. ✅ Best for students in grades 9–12 ✅ Great for learners who’ve written paragraphs but need guidance on full essays ✅ Final essays can be 5 paragraphs or longer, depending on ability ------------------------------------------------------------------- 🎯 COURSE OUTCOME By the end of this course, your student will have written a complete informative research essay—and gained writing tools they’ll use in high school and beyond. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 🎓 ENROLLMENT IS OPEN Give your learner the confidence and clarity they need to succeed in English. Enroll now and help them take the next step in mastering essay writing—with support at every stage.
Learning Goals
Students will learn how to effectively research any topic, including choosing reliable sources and annotating those sources.Students will learn how to write a thesis statement that will work for a short (4-5 paragraph) essay or a much longer paper.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)6 Lessons
over 6 WeeksLesson 1:
Prewriting
Research (how to select credible sources, annotating, close reading, etc); selecting a topic Lesson 2:
Prewriting
Thesis Statements and Outlines (submit for teacher feedback) Lesson 3:
Rough Draft
Body Paragraphs, Transition Sentences, In-text citations (parenthetical references) Lesson 4:
Rough Draft
Writing Introductions Other Details
Learning Needs
This class is designed to support a variety of learning needs with scaffolded and adaptable assignments. Dyslexic, ADHD, and Autistic learners have had great success in this class. Please reach out if you have specific questions.
Parental Guidance
None. However, because students are able to select their own topic for their research essay, parents / guardians should ensure that it fits within what they feel is appropriate for their learner.
Pre-Requisites
Students should be able to write paragraphs easily on their own. No experience writing essays is required, although it is helpful.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
none
Joined February, 2021
5.0
630reviews
Star Educator
Popular
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in English from University of Mississippi
I have a Bachelor of Arts in English, and held a Professional Teaching Certificate in Florida to teach English in grades 6-12. I have experience teaching writing in public middle and high schools. For the past several years I have taught small group homeschool classes on essay writing, including how to write informative / explanatory essays. Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$13
weekly6 pre-recorded lessons
6 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Completed by 84 learners
Ages: 14-18
