Students who get the best essay grades don’t just follow simple patterns (like the "5-paragraph essay"). Instead, they understand how essays work from the inside. They understand HOW, WHEN, and WHY different choices fit well with different types of assignments.
This course equips you to know your options and make confident choices at each stage of writing. With clear explanations and fresh approaches you won’t find anywhere else, you’ll end this course with the tools you need to move to the next level.
Why is this course different?
- Taught by an experienced university instructor.
- Highly flexible: Adapts to your own needs and schedule
- Works together with writing assignments for other classes: you don't have to do double homework!
- Homeschoolers: Includes everything needed for a college-prep writing unit (learning objectives, grading rubrics, assignments, schedule options, and more!)
Start with free access to Unit 2, then upgrade any time for the full course!
Curriculum
Eight units cover every step in the writing process: from pre-writing, to drafting, to editing.
In each unit, video content and written summaries explain key principles using memorable examples and clear explanation. Then, end-of-unit worksheets guide you through specific steps to take.
By the end of the course, you'll have a finished essay...and more importantly, you'll be confident and prepared to take on more writing assignments in the future!
About the instructor
Amy G. Tan, Ph.D., is an experienced university instructor, former high school teacher, and published author. Over years of working with (and grading) students writing college-level essays, I’ve seen the types of mistakes many young writers make, and I've learned what writing strategies help bring out the best in students so they can succeed at the next level.
Looking for more personalized feedback?
In addition to this self-paced course, I offer one-on-one tutoring via the Outschool platform. For a limited time, students enrolled in the full course may email me for receive 50% off an Outschool tutoring session.
Course outline
- Summary of Principle 1
- Intro: Check in
- Part 2: Finding your 'interest style'
- What’s next?
- Summary of this bonus lesson
- Bonus video: Understand the assignment
- Summary of Principle 2
- Intro: Get a hook
- Part 2: What do you need? What do you know?
- Part 3: Thesis statements are like stories
- Part 4: Tips for finding a complication and resolution
- Part 5: Writing your thesis
- What’s next?
- Summary of Principle 3
- Intro: Build the frame
- Part 2: Choosing the main points
- Part 3: Putting your points in order
- Part 4: Planning your connections
- What’s next?
- Summary of Principle 4
- Intro: Fill in the gaps like a teacher
- Part 2: Beware the direct quotation!
- Part 3: Tips for when you are stuck
- What’s next?
- Summary of Principle 5
- Intro: Start with a step back; end with a step forward
- Part 2: Start introductions one step back
- Part 3: Move conclusions one step forward
- What’s next?
- Summary of Principle 6
- Intro: Clean out your backpack
- Part 2: What’s incorrect
- Bonus: But my paper is already too short!
- Part 3: What’s unnecessary?
- Part 4: Information density
- Bonus: More on passive voice
- What’s next?
- Summary of Principle 7
- Intro: Keep everybody in the wagon
- Part 2: Four editing strategies
- Part 3: Editing strategies: Examples
- What’s next?
- Summary of this bonus lesson
- Bonus video: The 4-step style edit
- Summary of Principle 8
- Intro: You’re the driver
- What’s next?
Full Course
Enroll today for full access to the entire course and all supplementary resources.
Free Trial
- Course introductory materials
- All written and video content in Unit 2
- Additional resources including the suggested schedule, optional essay assignment, grading rubric, and more!