1st lesson free
Steven's email address and phone number have been validated.
Steven
- Rate $18
- Response 1h
$18/h
Contact
1st lesson free
- English
- Essay writing
- Proofreading
- Thesis
- Dissertation
Ph.D. & M.F.A. Writing Professor | College Admissions Essay Specialist with 8+ years of university writing instruction: offering expertise in brainstorming, structuring, and polishing stand-out pers
- English
- Essay writing
- Proofreading
- Thesis
- Dissertation
Lesson location
- online
-
at your home or a public place : will travel up to 10 mi. from Chicago
About Steven
With eight years of experience as a university instructor of record and terminal degrees in English Literature (Ph.D. and M.F.A.), I offer students a high-level academic standard paired with a supportive, highly structured environment. Having designed college writing courses and evaluated thousands of undergraduate papers, I understand precisely what admissions officers and university professors look for in a piece of writing.
Reliable & Responsive Communication: I maintain prompt communication with both students and parents, establishing clear goals before every session and delivering detailed, actionable summaries afterward.
Ethical Guidance: I mentor students through every stage of the writing process—brainstorming, structural revision, and line-level editing—while ensuring the final work remains entirely their own authentic voice.
Tailored, Goal-Oriented Support: Every minute of our sessions is focused on meeting your specific deadlines, removing the anxiety from complex assignments, and building transferable skills for future academic success.
See more
About the lesson
- All Levels
- English
All languages in which the lesson is available :
English
1. Teaching Method & Techniques
My teaching methodology combines the rigorous analytical precision of a literary scholar with the generative, supportive environment of a creative writing workshop:
Socratic & Inquiry-Driven: I don't write for you or push you into rigid, formulaic templates (like five-paragraph essays). Instead, I ask targeted questions to help you draw out your own insights and articulate your ideas with precision.
Structural First, Line-Level Second: Great writing begins with strong architecture. We first fix big-picture elements—thesis alignment, narrative arc, evidence integration, and logical flow—before moving to sentence-level polish, cadence, and mechanics.
The MFA Workshop Model: Writing is an iterative craft. I treat student drafts with respect, offering honest, constructive feedback that builds confidence while raising the bar for clarity, depth, and style.
2. A Typical 60-Minute Lesson Plan
While every session is tailored to your immediate deadlines, a standard meeting follows a focused 4-part structure:
Check-In & Target Setting (5–10 mins): We review the rubric, prompt, or application deadline and set 1 to 2 clear, tangible goals for the hour (e.g., "Outline Supplemental Essay #2" or "Fix topic sentences and transitions in Section B").
Interactive Deep Dive (20–25 mins): Live brainstorming, close-reading of texts, or structural breakdown of your draft. We identify what’s working, unpack where the argument or narrative stalls, and map out immediate solutions.
Live Writing & Refinement (15–20 mins): We work directly inside your document in real-time—reorganizing paragraphs, sharpening transitions, and strengthening active voice together.
Actionable Takeaways & Next Steps (5 mins): We close with a bulleted plan of action so you know exactly what to draft or revise independently before our next session.
3. What Sets Me Apart as a Tutor
Proven University-Level Pedagogy: I am not a peer tutor or a recent graduate following a prep-book checklist. I have spent eight years as an Instructor of Record at the college level, designing syllabi and grading thousands of academic essays, research papers, and creative manuscripts. I've also won numerous awards for my academic and creative writing. I know exactly what college admissions officers and university professors look for because I have evaluated that work professionally.
Dual Mastery of Form (M.F.A. + Ph.D.): My M.F.A. training gives me deep expertise in narrative craft, voice, and engagement—essential for memorable college personal statements. My Ph.D. background provides high-level training in critical theory, logic, and research mechanics—essential for top-scoring academic writing.
Efficiency & Respect for Your Voice: I don't waste time on generic drills. Every minute is focused on your actual assignments, helping you develop skills you can carry into your next class while preserving your authentic voice.
4. Who My Lessons Are For
High School Seniors (College Admissions & Personal Statements): Students applying to top-tier universities who need guidance brainstorming, structuring, and polishing Common App personal statements and school-specific supplemental essays.
AP & IB High School Students: Students enrolled in AP English Literature, AP English Language, or IB Literature aiming for top exam scores, stronger analytical essays, and college-level readiness.
Undergraduate & Graduate Students: College students in English, History, Philosophy, and Humanities courses needing support with essay organization, thesis development, research paper mechanics, or capstone project editing.
Aspiring & Creative Writers: Anyone looking for professional editorial feedback, narrative coaching, or guidance on prose style and manuscript revision.
See more
Rates
Rate
- $18
Pack rates
- 5h: $90
- 10h: $180
free lessons
This first lesson offered with Steven will allow you to get to know each other and clearly specify your needs for your next lessons.
- 1hr
online
- $18/h
Other tutors in English
Giles
Chicago & online
- $50/h
- 1st lesson free
Arshia
Chicago & online
- $50/h
- 1st lesson free
Emma
Chicago & online
- $24/h
- 1st lesson free
Janet
Chicago & online
- $60/h
- 1st lesson free
Monica
Chicago & online
- $18/h
- 1st lesson free
Dana
Chicago & online
- $30/h
- 1st lesson free
Meghan
Chicago & online
- $65/h
- 1st lesson free
Molly
Chicago & online
- $20/h
- 1st lesson free
Rylan
Chicago & online
- $35/h
- 1st lesson free
Tirth
Chicago & online
- $65/h
- 1st lesson free
Lidia
Chicago & online
- $18/h
- 1st lesson free
James
Chicago & online
- $16/h
- 1st lesson free
Hannah
Chicago & online
- $16/h
- 1st lesson free
Hana
Chicago & online
- $16/h
- 1st lesson free
Mariam
Chicago & online
- $16/h
- 1st lesson free
Afza
Chicago & online
- $18/h
- 1st lesson free
Olivia
Chicago & online
- $23/h
- 1st lesson free
Ron
Chicago & online
- $25/h
- 1st lesson free
Kevin Vincent
Chicago & online
- $30/h
- 1st lesson free
Ricardo Miguel
Chicago & online
- $22/h
- 1st lesson free
-
See English tutors
