Award-Winning African-American literature Tutors

America's #1 Tutoring Platform

Who needs tutoring?

FOXNBCCBSUS NewsTIMEUSA Today

TUTORS FROM

  • YaleUniversity
  • PrincetonUniversity
  • StanfordUniversity
  • CornellUniversity

Award-Winning African-American 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

Meet Our Expert Tutors

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

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

View Profile

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

View Profile

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.

View Profile

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.

View Profile

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!

View Profile

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

View Profile

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!

View Profile

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.

View Profile

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

View Profile

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

View Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Students often struggle with analyzing how historical context, systemic oppression, and cultural identity shape narrative voice and symbolism in African-American texts. Many find it challenging to recognize and articulate how authors use literary techniques—like unreliable narrators, vernacular speech, or magical realism—to convey resistance, resilience, or critique of social structures. A tutor can help you develop a framework for connecting textual evidence to broader themes of agency, representation, and cultural memory that define the genre.

Tutors work with you to move beyond plot summary and build thesis statements that engage with literary complexity—such as examining how a character's choices reflect or challenge racial stereotypes, or how an author's use of dialect functions as both authenticity and resistance. Through guided practice, you'll learn to support claims with specific textual evidence while maintaining awareness of historical and cultural context. Personalized feedback on your drafts helps you refine arguments so they're nuanced, well-supported, and demonstrate genuine engagement with the text's meaning.

African-American literature is deeply rooted in specific historical moments—slavery, Reconstruction, the Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights era, and contemporary movements—and understanding these contexts is essential to interpreting meaning, tone, and authorial intent. A tutor helps you connect texts to their historical periods, showing how works respond to or reflect the social, political, and cultural conditions of their time. This contextual knowledge transforms your analysis from surface-level observation to sophisticated interpretation that recognizes how literature both documents and shapes African-American experience.

Many African-American authors deliberately employ vernacular, dialect, or oral storytelling traditions as powerful literary choices that convey authenticity, cultural identity, and resistance to dominant literary conventions. Rather than viewing non-standard English as a barrier to understanding, a tutor helps you recognize it as a deliberate stylistic tool that carries meaning. You'll learn to analyze how voice functions in texts by authors like Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison, or James Baldwin—understanding that their language choices are intentional artistic decisions that deepen characterization and thematic resonance.

Comparative analysis in African-American literature requires identifying both continuities and shifts in how authors address themes like identity, freedom, community, and resistance across centuries. A tutor can guide you in developing comparison frameworks—such as examining how the Harlem Renaissance poets approached racial pride differently than contemporary spoken word artists, or how slave narratives and modern memoirs each serve distinct rhetorical purposes. Strong comparative essays recognize historical differences while tracing how African-American writers engage in ongoing conversations about representation, power, and cultural meaning.

African-American literature encompasses distinct movements—the Harlem Renaissance, the Black Arts Movement, the Black Aesthetic, and contemporary Black literature—each with different artistic goals, philosophical foundations, and historical contexts. A tutor helps you grasp not just the names and dates, but the underlying ideas: why Harlem Renaissance writers emphasized racial uplift through art, how Black Arts Movement writers connected literature to political activism, or how contemporary authors challenge earlier frameworks. Understanding these movements helps you situate individual texts within larger conversations and recognize how African-American literature evolves in response to changing social realities.

Tutors provide detailed feedback on your drafts, identifying where analysis deepens or where claims need stronger textual support. They help you recognize common revision challenges specific to this subject—like ensuring historical context enhances rather than overshadows literary analysis, balancing close reading with broader thematic claims, or developing more sophisticated interpretations of symbolism and narrative technique. Through collaborative revision, you'll learn to strengthen your voice as a literary critic while maintaining intellectual honesty about texts and their meanings.

Strong African-American literature essays weave quotations seamlessly into your argument, using them to support analysis rather than simply illustrating points. A tutor helps you select the most revealing passages, introduce them with context, and explain their significance to your thesis—whether you're citing primary texts, critical essays, or historical sources. You'll also learn how to handle citations properly (MLA, APA, or Chicago style) while maintaining the flow of your writing, ensuring that your evidence strengthens rather than interrupts your analytical voice.

Connect with African-American literature Tutors

Get matched with expert tutors in your subject