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Award-Winning 8th Grade AP English Literature Tutors

Kate

Certified Tutor

Kate

Masters, Environmental Engineering
Kate's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
College Algebra
Pre-Calculus

I'm available to tutor biology, chemistry, physics, math from Algebra up through AP Calculus, SAT test prep, and French. I've been tutoring students in science and math for 7 years. I also spent 8 months working and studying in France, and have tutored high school and adult students in French. When ...

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Masters, Environmental Engineering

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bachelors

Test Scores
SAT
1580
Jai

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Jai

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Jai's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Electrical Engineering
ACT Writing

I'm a recent Stanford graduate (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science), and have been working at a major Management Consulting firm for a few years now. I personally scored a 2360 (out of 2400) on the SAT and 35 on the ACT and was successful in gaining admission to several top universities. I'...

Education

Stanford University

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Test Scores
SAT
1590
ACT
35
Jessica

Certified Tutor

Jessica

PHD, Medicine
Jessica's other Tutor Subjects
College Algebra
Calculus
Algebra
Honors Chemistry

I am a licensed physician from Florida who is currently changing careers. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2009 and have extensive tutoring and editing experience. While a student, I became a certified writing tutor through the Critical Writing Department. Since I completed my writ...

Education

Nova Southeastern University

PHD, Medicine

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelors, History

University of Pennsylvania

undergraduate

Test Scores
SAT
1540
Jeffrey

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Jeffrey

Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering
Jeffrey's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Calculus
Geometry
Calculus
Algebra

I am enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering PhD program at Rice University which will begin Fall 2020, and I am hoping to return to academia as a professor after earning my PhD. In the meantime, I am looking to share my passion for gaining knowledge, specifically in STEM, by educating the up and com...

Education

University of Notre Dame

Bachelor of Science

Rice University

Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
ACT
34
Rhea

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Rhea

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Rhea's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra

I am a current student at the University of Chicago. I am working towards a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, and I am on the pre-medical track. I am extremely passionate about tutoring, and I have several years of experience tutoring students in my high school's learning center in various...

Education

University of Chicago

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1550
ACT
36
Erika

Certified Tutor

Erika

Master of Public Policy, Public Policy
Erika's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

I am available to tutor middle and high school math, history and test prep. I have tutored math and history in the past and I previously taught a test prep course at a school in Hanoi, Vietnam. I have a lot of experience teaching all the need-to-know tricks to doing great on the SATS/ACTS! When I am...

Education

Harvard University

Master of Public Policy, Public Policy

Test Scores
ACT
32
Tony

Certified Tutor

Tony

Bachelor of Science in Biology
Tony's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Biology
High School Biology

I am a recent graduate of Yale University and incoming first year medical student at Columbia University. Originally from the DC area, I have always had a passion for science and medicine and pursued a degree in Biology while at Yale. During the 2008-2009 academic year, I tutored science, math, Engl...

Education

Yale University

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Test Scores
SAT
1540
Pinelopi

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Pinelopi

Bachelor in Arts in Psychology
Pinelopi's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Geometry
Calculus

I am a Duke University graduate with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. I have experience tutoring all levels of Spanish language, all sections of the SAT, as well as algebra, pre algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus! I love kids & I have a very flexible schedule and a lot of patience! Let me help you...

Education

Duke University

Bachelor in Arts in Psychology

Test Scores
SAT
1530
Earnest

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Earnest

Masters, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Earnest's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Calculus

I am comfortable with either setting. I'm confident that I can help you (or your student) achieve to the best of their ability, so please don't hesitate to get in touch!

Education

University of Pennsylvania

Masters, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelors, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1530
Tiffany

Certified Tutor

5+ years

Tiffany

Juris Doctor, Legal Studies
Tiffany's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Calculus
Algebra
Elementary School Math

I am available to tutor a broad range of subjects, I am passionate about test preparation, Accountancy, and Algebra.

Education

University of Notre Dame

Bachelor in Business Administration, Accounting

University of Chicago

Juris Doctor, Legal Studies

Test Scores
SAT
1440
ACT
31

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Sami

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +19 Subjects

I am a Duke University graduate in Economics and Computer Science. I am currently pursuing an MBA degree at the Yale School of Management. I have worked in the financial field, both at a management consulting firm and a fortune 500 company. My hobbies include playing and coaching soccer. Hobbies: reading, writing, art, books, music

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Sharon

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +29 Subjects

I am a graduate of the University of Chicago, and I will be starting a graduate program at Columbia in August. I am about to complete a year of service with City Year, an education non-profit that places young adults into under-served schools. As a City Year member, I worked full-time in the classroom with middle-school students who were in approximately the 10th percentile for math (meaning they score lower than 90% of students). One-fourth of those students were able to grow around 15 percentile points by the end of the year! Hobbies: reading, cooking, gardening, music, art, nature, books, writing

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Annie

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +28 Subjects

I am currently a second year medical student. I was a Physiological Sciences major at UCLA (class of 2015), and pursued research during my gap year between undergrad and medical school.

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Quinn

Calculus Tutor • +17 Subjects

I am willing to address any issue with an open mind and I try to develop strategies that play to a student's strengths. I would like to think I am very approachable and personable, and I have had very positive experiences with many students in the past using this philosophy. Outside of academics, I love playing basketball and watching sports, as well as chilling with friends, listening to music, and keeping up with politics and current affairs.

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Samuel

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +29 Subjects

I am a freshman at Caltech majoring in Applied and Computational Mathematics. My favorite subject to tutor is math because I find it very rewarding to simplify complex topics to aid in understanding. I have lots of tutoring experience. In high school, I ran and taught an SAT prep class and was vice president of my school's NHS chapter where I ran our tutoring program, and I, myself, tutored. I also was a teaching assistant in the summer of 2020 for a class in discrete mathematics through a program called PACT (Program in Algorithmic and Combinatorial Thinking). I love learning and hope to make the process enjoyable for you!

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Samantha

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +38 Subjects

I'm a first-year medical student and recent graduate from Duke University, where I studied Global Health Determinants, Behaviors, and Interventions. From running a piano program at a nonprofit children's theatre to private tutoring in math, science, and standardized test prep, I enjoy helping my students become confident and self-sufficient learners! Hobbies: photography, travel, reading, music, writing, running, art, books, traveling

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Matthew

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +39 Subjects

I'm a highly creative person who works best with visual thinkers. Very recently graduated from Stanford University, I majored in Human Biology with a concentration in Bioinformatics and Stem Cell Science. Technical though my background may be, I am currently gigging as a singer/songwriter/composer in NYC and tackle even the most hard-science of problems with a top-down, big-picture, holistic approach. If you have a propensity to look at problems in a cross- or inter-disciplinary manner (or want to learn how to do so), I'm the tutor for you!

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Zachary

Trigonometry Tutor • +35 Subjects

I am passionate about teaching and tutoring and I thoroughly enjoy helping students gain an understanding and a drive for their studies. I have a long history of working with students of all grade levels and abilities (elementary school through college), and I have a good understanding of strategies to excel in both general academics and standardized tests.

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Charles

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +25 Subjects

I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best describe my tutoring style as one that adapts to each students' needs. For example, I have always tried to frame questions in a different way so that the student can better understand the question. Some students need visual representations of numbers and systems to understand them, and others benefit more by understanding the concepts behind each formula. I prefer to tutor in math and physics, and especially with real world application problems. I hope to help students improve their standardized test scores and their understanding of the math and sciences so that they can achieve their academic goals! Hobbies: art, books, running, reading, music, writing

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MaryAnn

Calculus Tutor • +21 Subjects

I am a published author who has enjoyed “coaching” our daughter, as she navigated through high school, college and graduate school. I mentor college juniors who are seeking careers in financial services, and I serve as a peer resource to professionals who are transitioning from private industry to the nonprofit sector. Hobbies: reading, cooking, writing, books, music, art, travel

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Frequently Asked Questions

The foundation of AP Literature rests on close reading and textual analysis—identifying how authors use literary devices like symbolism, imagery, tone, and syntax to create meaning. 8th graders often struggle with moving beyond surface-level observations to explain why an author made specific word choices and how those choices support the overall theme. A strong tutor helps students develop a systematic approach to annotation, teaching them to track patterns in language and connect individual details to larger arguments about the text.

Many 8th graders rush through the prompt or spend too much time on their introduction, leaving insufficient time for developed body paragraphs with textual evidence. Effective pacing means spending 2-3 minutes on careful prompt analysis, 3-5 minutes outlining your argument, and the remaining time on writing clear paragraphs with specific quotes and analysis. Tutors often use practice essays with strict time limits to build this rhythm, helping you identify which stages of the writing process slow you down and where you can streamline without sacrificing quality.

A common mistake is dropping quotes into an essay without explanation—AP graders want to see you explain what the quote shows and why it matters to your argument. Effective integration means introducing the quote with context, embedding it smoothly into your own sentence, and following it with analysis that connects the specific language back to your thesis. For example, instead of "The character was angry. 'I hate this place,' he said," you'd write: "The protagonist's blunt declaration, 'I hate this place,' reveals his refusal to mask his emotions, establishing him as someone unwilling to conform to social expectations." Tutors can show you how to develop this skill through revision exercises on your own writing.

Comparative questions require you to identify a specific literary element (like characterization, narrative perspective, or use of symbolism) and analyze how two authors approach it differently to achieve different effects. Rather than summarizing both texts separately, strong responses weave them together—discussing how Author A uses a technique for one purpose while Author B uses a similar technique differently. Many 8th graders benefit from creating a comparison matrix before writing, listing the element, how each text handles it, and what effect that creates, which helps organize your thinking and ensures balanced analysis of both works.

It's normal to second-guess your reading of a text, but remember that AP Literature rewards supported analysis over "correct" interpretation—examiners care that you can defend your reading with specific textual evidence, not that you match some predetermined answer. Building confidence comes from practice: working through past exam questions, discussing your interpretations with a tutor, and seeing how multiple valid readings can exist for the same text. When anxiety hits during the test, pause, reread the prompt to refocus your argument, and trust the evidence you've identified—a well-supported interpretation, even if unconventional, will earn strong marks.

While a strong vocabulary helps with reading comprehension, AP Literature success depends more on understanding how word choice functions within a text's context. Rather than isolated vocabulary drills, focus on noticing when an author uses surprising or precise word choices and asking yourself why that specific word matters—this trains the analytical habit you need. Tutors often teach students to use context clues and the author's tone to infer meaning, and to recognize how word choice contributes to literary effects like irony, characterization, or mood, which is far more useful than memorizing definitions.

Before writing, identify three key elements: the specific literary element or technique the prompt asks you to analyze (symbolism, characterization, narrative voice, etc.), the effect or purpose you need to explain (how does this element create meaning or develop the theme?), and any constraints (must you use specific evidence, compare texts, or address a particular theme?). Many 8th graders miss nuance in prompts and write generic essays about the text rather than answering the specific question asked. Spending 2-3 minutes underlining key terms, circling action words like "analyze" or "compare," and jotting down what the prompt is not asking for helps you stay focused and earn higher scores.

Effective revision for AP essays focuses on strengthening analysis rather than just fixing grammar. Read your essay asking: Does each paragraph have a clear claim about the text? Do I provide specific evidence (quotes or details)? Do I explain how that evidence supports my point? Many 8th graders benefit from reading their essays aloud to catch awkward phrasing, and from having a tutor review body paragraphs to identify where analysis is thin or where evidence needs stronger explanation. Revision should also check that your essay actually answers the prompt—it's easy to write a solid essay that misses what was asked.

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