Writing an Informative Research Essay, a Step by Step Approach
Master expository writing step by step—research, organize, draft, revise, and format an informative essay in MLA style. Build confidence with guided lessons, support, and flexible class access.
Martha Jackson, English Language Arts and Writing
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(620)
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What's included
6 live meetings
5 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. As students are writing papers in this class, homework will be assigned that is specific to the task that was covered in class. An hour in class generally translates to an hour of homework before the next class, but 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 their own essays, and each day is broken down into specific, manageable tasks.Assessment
During class, students will be informally assessed through class discussion and activity to ensure student understanding and so I, as the teacher, can adapt the class to student's needs. Student homework will be done on a shared google document where I will provide feedback on all submitted work.Letter Grade
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.Class Experience
US Grade 6 - 9
Intermediate Level
✍️ MASTER THE RESEARCH ESSAY
A Step-by-Step Writing Class to Build Confident High School Writers
Is your student ready to go beyond basic paragraphs and gain real confidence with academic writing? This supportive, step-by-step English class guides students through every part of the informative research essay—from choosing a topic to turning in a polished final draft using MLA formatting.
By the end of the course, learners will have written a complete, well-organized essay backed by credible sources.
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📘 WHAT YOUR STUDENT WILL EXPERIENCE
✅ WEEKLY LESSONS WITH CLEAR FOCUS
Each class targets a key skill—from research and thesis writing to structure and citations.
✅ GUIDED PRACTICE WITH REAL WRITING
Assignments walk students through each part of the essay so they’re never stuck wondering what to do next.
✅ PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK
Learners complete work in a shared Google Doc and get helpful, encouraging comments on outlines, drafts, and more—usually within 3 business days.
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👩🎓 WHO THIS CLASS IS FOR
This course is designed for students in grades 6–9 who are ready to grow as writers. It works well for:
✅ Writers who are comfortable with basic paragraphs
✅ Students new to essay writing or ready for a refresher
✅ Learners who want structure and feedback along the way
➡️ Newer writers can stick to a 4–5 paragraph structure
➡️ More experienced students can write longer, more advanced essays
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🕓 FLEXIBLE LEARNING, DESIGNED TO FIT REAL LIFE
✅ Miss a live class? No problem. All sessions are recorded and posted within the hour.
(Outschool requires students to attend one live class or complete verification to access recordings—let me know if you have questions!)
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📄 WANT TO SEE THE FULL BREAKDOWN?
Check out the full syllabus for a week-by-week outline of what’s covered.
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✨ BUILD SKILLS THAT LAST
If your learner is ready to tackle a research essay with structure, support, and real tools for success—this class is for them. Let’s make writing feel doable… and maybe even fun.
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📚 NEED A PREP COURSE FIRST?
If your student needs to strengthen their paragraph writing first, check out this class:
Essay Essentials: Paragraph Practice – Beyond the Basics (with Feedback)
https://outschool.com/classes/paragraph-practice-writing-club-beyond-the-basics-with-feedback-kuL21g6V
Looking for a self-paced version? Find the FLEX option here:
https://outschool.com/classes/essay-essentials-writing-the-complete-informative-essay-flex-ayseb4re
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💬 REFUND POLICY
Plans change—I get it! You're welcome to request a full refund up to 10 days before the class starts. Just send me a message and I’ll take care of it.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 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Prewriting
Thesis Statements and Outlines (submit for teacher feedback) 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Rough Draft
Body Paragraphs, Transition Sentences, In-text citations (parenthetical references) 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Rough Draft
Writing Introductions 50 mins online live lesson
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
At a minimum, students should be able to write paragraphs independently to be successful in this class.
Supply List
-- a non-black ink pen (blue, red, green) (for days 1 and 6) -- pencil and paper -- a folder to keep track of handouts and work -- handouts will be provided before each class -- learners will need internet / library access to complete research outside of class on a topic of their choosing
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
none
Joined February, 2021
5.0
620reviews
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. For the past several years I have taught small group classes on essay writing, including how to write informative / explanatory essays. Reviews
Live Group Course
$110
for 6 classes1x per week, 6 weeks
50 min
Completed by 201 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-15
4-8 learners per class
