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Award-Winning 8th Grade Writing Tutors

Eric

Certified Tutor

Eric

Bachelors
Eric's other Tutor Subjects
8th Grade Writing
8th-12th Grade Reading
Calculus
Algebra

Eighth graders are often writing real arguments for the first time — figuring out how to structure a claim, integrate evidence, and sound like themselves instead of a textbook. Eric's philosophy background makes him especially good at teaching the logic underneath a paragraph, so students learn why ...

Education

University of Chicago

Bachelors

Test Scores
SAT
1560
Paula

Certified Tutor

Paula

Bachelor in Arts
Paula's other Tutor Subjects
8th Grade Writing
1st-12th Grade Reading
2nd-8th Grade math
3rd-8th Grade Science

Eighth grade writing sits at an awkward crossroads: the five-paragraph essay is losing its training wheels, but students haven't yet learned what replaces it. Paula walks writers through the shift toward more flexible essay structures, teaching them to develop counterarguments, vary sentence length ...

Education

Vanderbilt University

Bachelor in Arts

Test Scores
SAT
1520
ACT
32

Certified Tutor

Angela

Bachelor of Science, Psychology/International Relations
Angela's other Tutor Subjects
8th Grade Writing
1st-12th Grade Reading
Calculus
Algebra

Eighth grade writing sits at a tricky crossroads — students need to move past the five-paragraph formula but haven't yet learned what replaces it. Angela teaches techniques like varying paragraph length for effect, integrating quotations smoothly, and revising for clarity rather than just correcting...

Education

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor of Science, Psychology/International Relations

Test Scores
SAT
1430

Certified Tutor

Molly

Master of Science in Education
Molly's other Tutor Subjects
8th Grade Writing
1st-8th Grade math
1st-8th Grade Reading
Pre-Algebra

Eighth grade is where writing shifts from formulaic five-paragraph essays to real argumentation and literary analysis, and that transition trips up a lot of students. Molly's background in education and her own thesis-level writing experience let her teach 8th graders how to develop a claim, weave i...

Education

Northwestern University

Master of Science in Education

Columbia University in the City of New York

Bachelor in Arts, History

Test Scores
SAT
1480

Certified Tutor

Gabriel

PHD, Comparative Human Development
Gabriel's other Tutor Subjects
8th Grade Writing
8th-10th Grade Reading
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra

Most eighth graders can write a five-paragraph essay on autopilot, but ask them to develop an original perspective on a text and the structure falls apart. Gabriel's approach zeroes in on the thinking behind the writing: how to generate ideas worth arguing, organize them logically, and revise for cl...

Education

University of Chicago

PHD, Comparative Human Development

Harvard University

Bachelor in Arts

Certified Tutor

Eric

Bachelor in Arts
Eric's other Tutor Subjects
8th Grade Writing
6th-12th Grade math
6th-8th Grade Science
Pre-Algebra

Eighth grade writing sits at a turning point where teachers start expecting real thesis-driven essays instead of basic reports. Eric tackles the specific skills that make that leap possible — crafting arguable thesis statements, choosing relevant supporting details, and writing transitions that actu...

Education

Princeton University

Bachelor in Arts

Test Scores
SAT
1520
ACT
32

Certified Tutor

Hasan

B.A. in Literary Arts and Visual Arts
Hasan's other Tutor Subjects
8th Grade Writing
1st-8th Grade math
1st-8th Grade Reading
3rd-8th Grade Science

Eighth grade writing sits at a turning point: students move from retelling what happened to explaining why it matters. Hasan, who works daily with middle schoolers as a lead teacher at Archway Classical Academy, unpacks paragraph organization, thesis statements, and the difference between summary an...

Education

Brown University

B.A. in Literary Arts and Visual Arts

Test Scores
SAT
1540

Certified Tutor

Allan

Bachelors, Biological Sciences
Allan's other Tutor Subjects
8th Grade Writing
1st-12th Grade math
1st-12th Grade Reading
3rd-8th Grade Science

Eighth grade writing sits at a turning point: students are expected to move beyond personal narratives and start constructing evidence-based arguments and informational essays. Allan's editing experience means he doesn't just mark errors — he explains why a sentence is unclear or why a paragraph nee...

Education

Northwestern University

Bachelors, Biological Sciences

Test Scores
SAT
1540

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Amy

Current Undergrad, English
Amy's other Tutor Subjects
8th Grade Writing
6th-12th Grade Reading
Calculus
Algebra

Eighth grade writing sits at a turning point where students start moving from summary into analysis, and that shift trips up a lot of capable kids. Amy teaches the difference by showing students how to ask "so what?" after every piece of evidence they include — a simple habit that transforms flat pa...

Education

Princeton University

Current Undergrad, English

Test Scores
SAT
1500

Certified Tutor

Emily

Master of Arts, Ancient History
Emily's other Tutor Subjects
8th Grade Writing
4th-7th Grade Reading
Middle School Math
Elementary Math

Eighth grade is often where standardized writing expectations and literary analysis essays collide, and students need to handle both. Emily tackles this by teaching argument construction from the ground up — claim, evidence, reasoning — while also building the grammar and syntax skills that make a d...

Education

The University of Nottingham

Master of Arts, Ancient History

Meet Varsity Tutors Experts

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Maddy

Calculus Tutor • +62 Subjects

I'm a recent graduate of Harvard University and a natural teacher, and I'd be thrilled to help you build your skills, gain academic confidence, and get results! My B.A. is in American history and literature with a minor in theater. I spent my college years producing and directing student theater, writing plays, giving campus tours, and researching and writing my honors thesis on art criticism in New York City in the late 1960s.

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Dakota

12th Grade math Tutor • +126 Subjects

I am a native Texan now living in NYC. I just finished my Master's degree, and I love food, reading, and travel. I've been working and volunteering as a tutor since my high school days, and I am eager to provide advanced-level assistance to you! I'm a friendly, approachable person who maintains a professional but fun learning atmosphere. And, most importantly, we get hard work done! Hobbies: art, books, travel, reading, cooking, music, writing

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Julian

5th Grade math Tutor • +68 Subjects

I am well-equipped to help students improve their reading comprehension and essay writing skills. As an avid reader and writing enthusiast, I naturally find great joy in reviewing and editing the work of others. Although writing is incredibly stylistic, it is also remarkably formulaic. With proper preparation, all students are capable of fine-tuning their craft with effective methodologies and strategies all that is needed is the right guidance and support. Hobbies: reading, music, hiking, art, travel, books, writing

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Robert

Arithmetic Tutor • +63 Subjects

I am a graduate of the Master's program at the School of Education at St. John's University, and a graduate of the undergraduate English program at Washington University in St. Louis. I am currently eligible to teach 7th to 12th grade English in a New York City school under the Initial Certificate, and have a combined three years of experience in the Department of Education. I have a significant background in tutoring, including test prep, English, Mathematics, and Social Studies. My extensive background in education, coupled with my intense desire to bring about positive change in the lives of New York City school children and my belief in the importance of using emerging educational technologies to engage with and enrich the education of students, has made me both a successful teacher, and a popular tutor.

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Meg

Calculus Tutor • +53 Subjects

I am able to help with any English subject as well as test prep for reading and writing. As a teacher, I am passionate about helping students achieve academic success, and I will bring that same passion and creativity to any tutoring opportunity. Every student is different, and each has his or her own academic needs. I strive to find the best -- and most enjoyable -- way to tutor each student to accommodate individual learning styles. Other than English and education, my biggest passions are music, theater, and sports. I love to sing and play the piano, I have been a participant and teaching artist at my local theater’s summer camp for over ten years, and I play softball, soccer, and field hockey. Hobbies: reading, music, art, sports, books, writing

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David

Calculus Tutor • +61 Subjects

I am a passionate educator with over eight years of teaching and tutoring experience. I have worked with many different kinds of learners during my career as a public school teacher, and I understand that every student has their own unique way of growing and of mastering skills. I have experience teaching a wide variety of literature and non-fiction texts and am very familiar with the Common Core and its emphasis on research skills. I especially enjoy teaching writing; I myself love to write and I teach students a clear process for approaching challenging essay assignments. Above all, I believe that learning should be meaningful and enjoyable and that any academic task is part of a student's personal journey of discovery.

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Varuna

12th Grade math Tutor • +101 Subjects

I am from Tulsa, OK and came to Boston for college. I studied Biomedical Engineering at both Boston University during undergrad and Tufts University for my masters. After much thought, I deviated from a medical school track to pursue a career in the medical device industry. My love for math and science started around middle school, and I was strongly influenced by my teachers. Through tutoring, I hope to be a similar influence. I really enjoy working with students of all ages (elementary to grads!) In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, hiking, and volunteering at the Animal Rescue League in Boston. Hobbies: books, music, hiking, art, reading, cooking, writing

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Julio

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +60 Subjects

I am a lover of learning and helping others learn. As a student, I have had great success at rigorous and selective schools, earning my Bachelor's with High Honors and Phi Beta Kappa from Swarthmore College and my Master's with perfect grades from Brown University. Since leaving formal education, I continue to pursue learning opportunities through independent reading and professional development. I often tell my students that learning is my addiction, as many make fun of my choices for "fun" reading. As a teacher, I am certified to teach Social Studies grades 7-12 and currently teach high school social studies. I have additional experience teaching elementary school students, middle school school students, and adult learners. With my training from Brown as well as ongoing training from the Rhode Island Department of Education and other reputable providers, I continue to hone my abilities to facilitate the learning process for students of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. I believe in personalized teaching that allows students to build confidence and excitement about a given subject while also seeing its immediate relevance to their lives. Hobbies: art, books, traveling, travel, reading, music, writing

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Valerie

12th Grade math Tutor • +84 Subjects

I am most passionate about math though, because it can be related to any subject, and because the skills that are developed through mathematical thinking can help create success in other areas. I try to use multiple approaches while teaching, and present ideas as visually and tangibly as possible. One of the dangers of learning math is that students memorize the method for solving a problem but do not realize the underlying concepts. I do my best to ensure that students recognize the broader concepts. Because math builds on itself, it is also very important to look at past topics that relate to students’ current lessons. There is not always time for teachers do this in a classroom setting. Often you’ll find that a student’s struggles come from missing previous skills that are assumed as their lessons advance. My ultimate goal is to help students build their confidence with math and to set them up for success in their future studies, whether those studies are directly or indirectly related.

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Joanne

Calculus Tutor • +52 Subjects

I'm well-versed in teaching students with a wide range of skills and learning styles. I graduated with Honors from Santa Clara University where I received my Bachelor of Arts in English with a specialization in Teaching English. In May 2015, I will graduate with my Masters in Educational Studies from the University of Michigan. I am passionate about teaching students to become critical readers and writers who use their communication skills to reach their goals and connect with others. I have over seven years of tutoring experience and have tutored students in reading and writing from middle school to the graduate level.

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Frequently Asked Questions

8th graders typically struggle with thesis development and essay organization—moving beyond simple five-paragraph structure to support a clear argument with evidence. Many students also find it difficult to maintain consistent voice and tone throughout a piece, shift between formal and informal writing contexts, and incorporate citations properly using MLA format. Additionally, writer's block is common at this level, especially when students feel pressure to make their writing "perfect" on the first draft rather than embracing revision as part of the process.

A tutor works with your student to move beyond stating a topic and instead craft a debatable, specific thesis that guides the entire essay. Through targeted practice, they help students learn to select relevant evidence from texts, explain why that evidence supports their argument (not just summarize it), and anticipate counterarguments. This personalized feedback on actual writing samples is far more effective than generic grammar lessons—tutors can show exactly where a student's reasoning breaks down or where evidence needs strengthening.

Many 8th graders view revision as punishment for "bad" writing rather than a natural part of crafting strong prose. A tutor reframes revision as the real work of writing—showing students how to read their own work critically, identify gaps in logic, and strengthen weak sentences. By working through revision together on student-selected pieces, tutors help students see that even professional writers revise multiple times, and that each pass can improve clarity, voice, and impact.

Rather than drilling citation rules in isolation, tutors show 8th graders how to weave quotes and paraphrased ideas smoothly into their own sentences, then add proper citations. Many students struggle with the difference between quoting, paraphrasing, and plagiarism—a tutor clarifies these distinctions through practice and provides feedback on actual essays. This hands-on approach with real writing samples is much more effective than workbook exercises, since students see immediately how citations function in context.

A common 8th grade pitfall is retelling a story instead of analyzing it—explaining what a character does rather than why it matters or what it reveals about the theme. Tutors teach students to move from plot summary to close reading by asking "So what?" questions: What does this detail reveal about the author's message? How does this scene connect to the larger argument? With personalized instruction on student essays, tutors show exactly where analysis is missing and help students develop the habit of supporting interpretations with specific textual evidence.

8th graders often feel caught between sounding "like themselves" and sounding "academic," leading to stiff or overly formal writing. A tutor helps students understand that strong academic writing can have personality—it's about choosing precise words, varying sentence structure, and maintaining consistency in tone rather than adopting a robotic voice. By reading examples and revising their own work together, students learn that developing voice is a skill that improves with practice and feedback on real writing.

Writer's block at this level often stems from perfectionism or unclear thinking about the topic. A tutor uses strategies like freewriting, outlining, and asking guiding questions to help students generate and organize ideas before drafting. Rather than waiting for inspiration, tutors teach 8th graders that writing is a process—getting messy first drafts down on paper, then refining them. This takes pressure off the blank page and helps students move past the anxiety that often paralyzes them.

Generic grammar lessons often don't stick because students don't see how they apply to their own writing. When a tutor provides feedback directly on a student's essay—showing where a sentence is unclear, where evidence is needed, or where voice wavers—the student understands the "why" immediately and can revise accordingly. This targeted, contextual approach helps 8th graders internalize writing principles much faster than workbooks or standardized instruction, because the feedback is tied to their actual work and goals.

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