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Award-Winning 8th Grade English Tutors

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Charles

Certified Tutor

Charles

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Charles's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Trigonometry

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 descr...

Education

Yale University

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1440
ACT
34
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

Meet Our Expert Tutors

Connect with highly-rated educators ready to help you succeed.

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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Pinelopi

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +25 Subjects

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 :)

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Frequently Asked Questions

Eighth graders typically face challenges with essay organization, particularly structuring multi-paragraph arguments with clear thesis statements and supporting evidence. Many students also struggle with literary analysis—moving beyond plot summary to discuss theme, symbolism, and author's purpose. Grammar concepts like comma usage, sentence fragments, and pronoun agreement often trip up students who haven't solidified these fundamentals. Additionally, many 8th graders find it difficult to develop their own voice in writing while maintaining formal academic tone, and they may procrastinate on longer writing assignments, leading to rushed, disorganized work.

A tutor can work with you to craft a thesis that takes a specific, defensible position rather than a vague statement of fact. They'll help you brainstorm supporting points, then guide you in finding textual evidence—quotes, examples, or details—that actually prove your argument rather than just relating to the topic. Through personalized feedback on your drafts, a tutor can show you how to integrate evidence smoothly, explain why it matters, and connect each paragraph back to your central thesis. This iterative process helps you understand argumentation as a skill you can apply to any essay, not just a formula to follow.

Tutors often introduce pre-writing techniques like mind mapping, outlining, or freewriting to help students externalize their ideas before drafting. For 8th graders, a simple outline that lists your thesis, three main points, and 1-2 pieces of evidence per point can transform a blank page into a manageable roadmap. When writer's block hits mid-essay, tutors can help you identify whether you're stuck because you lack evidence, your argument isn't clear, or you're overthinking the wording—then address the actual problem. Having a tutor talk through your ideas out loud before you write often unlocks what's stuck in your head.

Literary analysis requires asking "why" and "how" instead of just "what." Instead of "The character was sad," ask why the author showed that sadness, what it reveals about the character's values, or how it connects to the book's larger theme. A tutor can teach you to identify literary devices—metaphor, foreshadowing, characterization—and explain their effect rather than just naming them. They'll help you practice selecting specific quotes that illustrate your point about theme or character, then explain the connection explicitly rather than assuming the reader will make it themselves. This shift from plot to interpretation is a major 8th grade milestone.

Rather than just marking errors, a tutor reads your essay as a reader and points out where your argument gets unclear, where you need more evidence, or where a paragraph doesn't connect to your thesis. They might ask questions like "What do you mean here?" to help you see where you've assumed the reader knows something they don't. With specific, actionable feedback on multiple drafts, you learn to recognize patterns in your own writing—like always burying your main idea in the middle of a paragraph, or forgetting to explain why your evidence matters. This self-awareness transfers to future assignments because you're not just fixing one essay; you're building writing skills.

Grammar and voice aren't opposites—strong writers master grammar so they can break rules intentionally for effect. A tutor helps you understand which rules are non-negotiable in academic writing (like subject-verb agreement and comma splices) versus which offer flexibility for style (like starting sentences with "and" or using short, punchy sentences for emphasis). They can show you how professional writers use grammar strategically, then help you experiment with sentence variety, word choice, and tone in your own work. The goal is to give you control over your writing so you sound like yourself while meeting academic expectations.

MLA citations are a skill, not something to memorize—a tutor can teach you the logic behind the format (author, title, publication info) so you understand why each element matters rather than just following a template. Working through 2-3 real citations together, you'll learn the pattern and where to find information in a book or website. Many tutors create a simple reference sheet you can use while writing, then gradually reduce your reliance on it as the format becomes automatic. Once you've cited 5-10 sources with feedback, it clicks—and you'll be able to handle new source types (like podcasts or databases) using the same logic.

Active reading strategies—like annotating (marking key passages, jotting questions in margins), pausing to predict what happens next, or summarizing each chapter in a sentence—help you engage with the text instead of passively moving through pages. A tutor can teach you to ask questions while reading: "Why did the author include this detail?" "How does this character's action connect to the theme?" "What's the author's tone here?" These habits transform reading from a chore into detective work, making details stick in your memory. When you need to write about or discuss the book later, you'll have notes and a deeper understanding rather than fuzzy recollections of the plot.

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