Blog

The Ancient Art of Memory: The Method of Loci in Modern Education

An essay writing tutor can employ the Memory Palace technique to enhance their students' reading and writing skills. This mnemonic strategy helps students retain and organize information more efficiently, which is crucial for writing well-structured essays.

Read More

Ambiguity in Literature: Fostering Participatory Reading

An English literature tutor guides students through the analysis and interpretation of ambiguity. The key to effective tutoring in this context is to equip students with the tools necessary for close reading and to foster an environment where open-ended discussion and multiple interpretations are encouraged.

Read More

The Socratic Method in Essay Writing: Guiding Students to Stronger Theses

Through Socratic questioning, an essay writing tutor helps students deeply explore their topic, challenge assumptions, and examine the evidence. This structured, critical inquiry not only assists in developing a compelling thesis but also sharpens the student's overall ability to think critically and argue effectively.

Read More

Bridging the Gap: High School to College Essay Writing

The shift from the structured, often formulaic essays of high school to the expansive, critical, and research-driven assignments of college can be daunting. However, it is within this challenging transition that the role of an essay writing tutor becomes invaluable.

Read More

The Role of Online Writing Tutors in Teaching Effective Internet Use

In the digital age, the ability to effectively use the internet and evaluate the reliability of sources has become an essential skill set for students of all ages. Online writing tutors are uniquely positioned to teach these skills within the context of writing education.

Read More

Educational "Third Spaces": Tutoring & Innovation

In the vast and ever-changing landscape of education, "third spaces" constitute a transformative arena wherein the boundaries of traditional learning are challenged and expanded. These environments, neither strictly institutional nor purely informal, have become crucial incubators for pedagogical experimentation and innovation. At the heart of these spaces lies the age-old practice of tutoring.

Read More

A Writing Tutor’s Practical Strategies for Metacognitive Education

The development of metacognitive abilities in students is increasingly recognized as a key factor in enhancing learning outcomes. Accordingly, educators should study specific techniques for teaching them. At the Gilliam Writers Group, we feel that internet-based tutors are uniquely positioned to foster these skills, especially since the “mainstream-ification” of remote learning platforms.

Read More

Metacognition & Education: How GWG’s Writing Tutors Navigate the Learning Mind

At the Gilliam Writers Group, we understand that writing is more than just stringing words together; it's a reflective, strategic process. This is where metacognition, the awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes, becomes pivotal. Our writing tutors not only guide our students in mastering language and structure but also in developing a metacognitive approach to writing. This involves teaching them to think about their thinking, strategize their learning, and reflect on their writing practices.

Read More

A Comprehensive Guide for Writing Tutors on Assessing and Encouraging Student Progress

Writing is a complex skill that involves various cognitive processes and creative elements, making it challenging to teach and assess. For writing tutors, the task of evaluating student progress and encouraging continual growth requires a multi-faceted approach. In today’s post, I will outline several effective methods that the savvy writing tutor can employ to accurately assess and foster student development in writing and reading.

Read More

Cultivating Critical Minds: 14 Writing Exercises from Gilliam Writers Group Tutors

In a world of fast-paced information and polarized viewpoints, critical thinking stands out as a non-negotiable skill for today’s students. The Gilliam Writers Group understands this; each writing tutor on our faculty has crafted their own suite of exercises that aim not only to sharpen students' critical faculties but also to broaden their creative horizons.

Read More

The Vital Role of Formal Grammar in Developing Writing Proficiency

Despite grammar’s fundamental role, many educational institutions have shifted their focus away from traditional grammar instruction — a change that raises questions about the potential effects of this reduced emphasis on students' ability to write effectively in measurable and consistent ways. This trend underscores the role writing tutors can play in providing essential grammar education.

Read More

Embracing the Moral Heart of Writing Tutoring: Insights from David Hansen's Educational Philosophy

In his book "The Moral Heart of Teaching," philosopher David Hansen embarks on a profound exploration of the ethical core of educational practice. Hansen articulates the belief that teaching is not merely a profession but a vocation rooted in moral responsibility. His arguments can be applied to educational settings and pedagogical traditions beyond conventional classroom learning, and are especially relevant to the nuanced work of writing tutoring.

Read More

“English Lag”: Tutoring as a Remedy against Falling Behind during Covid-19

The Gilliam Writers Group offers academic writing tutoring services that can have a positive impact on your writing skills and academic success. Whether you're seeking an academic writing tutor online or a private tutor for academic writing, the Gilliam Writers Group is an invaluable resource.

Read More
Academic Tutoring, Tutoring Guest User Academic Tutoring, Tutoring Guest User

The Staying Power of Live Tutoring amid the A.I. Revolution

Live tutoring remains a crucial component of education, complementing the benefits of A.I.-powered tutoring systems. While A.I. chatbots offer certain advantages, they cannot replace the human touch and the empathetic support that live tutors provide. Live tutoring enables real-time interaction, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter and addressing individual learning needs.

Read More

Enhancing Adolescent Writing Skills IV: How We Operationalize the 2007 “Writing Next” Report

As professional writing tutors, we rely on a mix of personal experience and research when designing our lesson plans & determining how to improve student outcomes. Like many in our field, we have found the “Writing Next” report to be an invaluable resource for teaching our students how to write not only “well,” but compellingly, with gusto and inspiration. Read on to learn why you should hire a writing tutor online.

Read More

The Evolving Role of Private Tutors: A Writing Tutor’s Historical Overview

In the age of digital innovation, the art of tutoring has undergone profound transformations. While today’s educators have access to more advanced tools and platforms than ever before, our core principle of one-on-one instruction has its roots in the deepest bedrock of educational history. Join us as we trace the footsteps of legendary tutor-student duos and discover how the past has informed today's tutoring landscape.

Read More

Enhancing Adolescent Writing Skills III: How Our Online Tutors Use the “Writing Next” Report

This is the second-to-last blog post in our series on the 2007 research report titled "Writing Next: Effective strategies to improve writing of adolescents in middle and high schools.” In today’s post, we’ll summarize the next three instructional strategies outlined in the report, and explain how our online writing tutors use them to enhance the writing skills of adolescent learners.

Read More

Enhancing Adolescent Writing Skills I: Evidence-Based Tutoring & the "Writing Next" Report

Strong writing skills are essential for cognitive and intellectual development. At Gilliam Writers Group, our writing tutors are committed to helping adolescents in middle and high schools improve their writing skills through evidence-based educational approaches. In this blog post, we’ll discuss an influential 2007 report titled "Writing Next: Effective strategies to improve writing of adolescents in middle and high schools."

Read More

The Importance of Outlines in Middle School English

One of the most frequent questions from those entering the sometimes-stressful years of middle school is what English teachers expect from their students. A qualified middle school writing tutor from the Gilliam Writers Group can help put your fears to rest, but first, a few pointers to get your recent middle schooler on the right track.

Read More