Essay writing

The Several Benefits to Being Bilingual

Recent studies have shown that there are several benefits to being bilingual. Learning a second language could give your child a serious advantage in conceptual thinking. It may even broaden their perspectives and understanding of the world.  Improving The Executive Function According to an article put out by Psychology Today, one of the several benefits to being bilingual is it improves brain activity functions. The executive function, for example, which is the control system of…

Read More »

Mastering the SSAT Fiction Story Essay

Here’s what you need to know about mastering the SSAT fiction story essay, which requires creative writing and using your imagination. If you are taking the middle level SSAT, you will be required to write a fiction story essay based on a prompt; if you are taking the upper level SSAT, you have the option of writing a standard essay or writing the fiction story essay. Either way, you won’t have much time, just 25…

Read More »

Structuring Your Standard Essay for the ISEE or SSAT

The key to structuring your standard essay for the ISEE or SSAT is to ensure you have the proper format. Here’s the general format for a successful standard essay: Introduction Sentence 1: Thesis/Answering the question Sentence 2: Introduce your first supporting paragraph (what you’re going to say in the second paragraph) Sentence 3: Introduce your second supporting paragraph (what you’re going to say in the third paragraph) Sentence 4: Sum up your ideas and transition…

Read More »

Part 2: Perfecting Standard Essay Structure for Standardized Testing

In the last blog, you were given the general format for a successful standard essay. Below is an example using that template that answers the question, Of the books you have read in the past year, which one made the biggest impression on you and why? Sample Standard Essay Response: This year I read The Giver by Lois Lowry and it made a big impression on me because like Jonas, I don’t always agree with…

Read More »

Part 1: Perfecting Standard Essay Structure for Standardized Testing

For essay prompts that ask you to answer a question, such as Of the books you have read in the past year, which one made the biggest impression on you and why?, your goal is to structure an essay that answers the question and presents paragraphs with supporting evidence. Your essay should have four paragraphs: the introduction, two supporting paragraphs, and the conclusion. Your answer to the given question will form the thesis of your…

Read More »

Writing Workshops for the Classroom

Getting feedback on schoolwork is an essential part of how students learn, but the current method for students receiving this feedback only from their teachers holds students back. Too often students turn in work to a teacher for a grade and then immediately move on to the next big assignment, without giving the project much thought after the due date. Additionally, teachers spend a lot of time evaluating student work, but many students barely glance…

Read More »

Is Your Child Applying to Private School or College This January? 

It’s important to start connecting with the private schools or colleges that your child is interested in, because schools keep track of the amount of times that you express interest and use this information to help determine admission. It’s a good idea to start early in selecting the list of schools to which you will apply, and to develop a timeline of all due dates and materials required for admission. If your child is applying for private school, this…

Read More »

Overcoming Writer’s Block

If you’re a writer or a student, chances are you’ve experienced writer’s block. It’s a very frustrating situation, so you may be wondering what exactly it is, why it happens, and how you can make it go away. Read on to find out! What is writer’s block? Writer’s block is when you are unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with your writing. It happens to every writer at some point…

Read More »

Advice for Student Writers

There is no one way to learn how to write, but that is part of the beauty of writing. Here are a few tips for students who want to become better writers.  1. Write often and in different styles. The best way to improve your writing is to write as much as possible! Give yourself a boost with regular and varied writing practice, such as journaling, essays, stories, poems, blogs, and more. Perhaps the best way…

Read More »

Is Your College Student Struggling With English Composition?

Many students struggle with College English Composition coursework. Whether your child is a freshman or a senior, there are always new challenges when it comes to writing. Students will be required to write essays, term papers, theses, senior/final projects, and case studies. Along the way they may struggle with: Writing skills (basic punctuation/capitalization, sentence structure, syntax, etc.) Structuring essays Organizing large projects Brainstorming appropriate topics and outlining supporting arguments Strengthening and developing thesis statements Managing…

Read More »