Most high school students can tell you how an essay should be written. Ask them, and their responses will include phrases such as ‘the hamburger method’, ‘the thesis statement’, ‘Point-Evidence-Explanation’ and ‘cite your sources’. But there is a world of difference between knowing how something should be done and having the skills to do it.
Why Do Essay Writing Skills Matter?
Learning to structure and write a top notch essay is one of the most important skills a high school student will ever develop. Students who understand how to structure an argument using formal and precise language do better in all subjects at school and beyond. Furthermore, it’s an essential life skill. When we can argue a point well, we are in a better position to advocate for ourselves and for others. We’re also better able to spot weaknesses in the arguments other people make, which means we are less likely to be manipulated, and we can work out for ourselves the difference between ‘false news’ and the truth.
The Advantage of an English Tutor
Students can know how an essay should be written, but this is only the first step of a three-step process. Writing skills come with practice – that’s step number two. Write more essays and you get better at it, simple as that. In an English program like ours, students write continually. We teach them how to write an essay by breaking up the process: focussing on sculpting a thesis statement, for example. Step three is learning to spot the errors you make, and move past them. This process requires one-on-one support from an English teacher. In school, teachers may have dozens of essays to mark, and subsequently, each student often receives only a few comments on their work. When our English tutors work with students on their essay writing skills, they carefully annotate every paragraph of a first draft, and students progress much more quickly.
Can Writing an Essay be Enjoyable?
Absolutely! Last week a student in one of our English classes said, “I’m thinking of going vegan.” We’re writing an essay together on the pros and cons of veganism. Another student a few weeks ago expressed frustration that he would not be old enough to vote in the next election. We worked together on an essay in which he argued why he felt the voting age should be lowered to fourteen. When students have the opportunity to write about subjects of interest to them, the process of writing essays is more meaningful, more enjoyable – and feels much more relevant.
To read more about our English Tutoring program available in Toronto & Etobicoke and virtually, click here.
