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Award-Winning Argumentative Writing Tutors

Alana

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Alana

Bachelor's
Alana's other Tutor Subjects
1st-12th Grade Writing
1st-12th Grade Reading
6th-10th Grade English
6th-8th Grade Chemistry

Counterarguments are where most student essays fall apart — they either ignore the opposition entirely or wave it away in a sentence. Alana's Yale training in the History of Science taught her to trace how competing claims get built and dismantled with evidence, a skill she now brings to teaching st...

Education

Yale University

Bachelor's

A.J.

Certified Tutor

2+ years

A.J.

JD
A.J.'s other Tutor Subjects
GRE Analytical Writing
LSAT Reading Comprehension
LSAT Logical Reasoning
LSAT Analytical Reasoning

I am a lawyer in the Washington, D.C. area. I tutor in the test prep space - primarily for the SAT, ACT, and LSAT. I graduated from the University of Alabama in 2013, where I was a National Merit Scholar. I then spent one year in the Washington, D.C. area as a SAT/ACT instructor for a testing compa...

Education

University of Virginia-Main Campus

JD

The University of Alabama

JD

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Kerry

Undergraduate Degree
Kerry's other Tutor Subjects
LSAT
Bar Exam
LSAT Argumentative Writing

I'm an attorney, Ph.D. student, and aspiring law professor. I am working on my dissertation for my Ph.D. in Law at Yale, having previously earned my J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School. I practiced for three years at a large law firm in Washington, D.C., primarily represe...

Education

Yale University

Undergraduate Degree

University of Michigan Law School

Undergraduate Degree

University of Georgia

Undergraduate Degree

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Savannah

Bachelor's (in progress)
Savannah's other Tutor Subjects
LSAT Reading Comprehension
LSAT Logical Reasoning
LSAT
Graduate Test Prep

Hi! I'm Savannah, and I study Cognitive Science and Organizational Change at Northwestern University. My passion for understanding how people learn, make decisions, and perform under pressure fuels my approach to LSAT tutoring. Mastering this test isn't just about logic, it's also about mindset, str...

Education

Northwestern University

Bachelor's (in progress)

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Karin

MFA
Karin's other Tutor Subjects
TOEFL
SAT Reading and Writing
ISEE- Upper Level
ISEE- Lower Level

Karin McKie, MFA, compiles curriculum and personalizes teaching for a broad spectrum of students. I know there is no better, nor more crucial, calling than helping learners communicate their voices and realize their educational dreams. I specialize in tutoring all standardized tests, including t...

Education

San Jose State University

MFA

James Madison University

MFA

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Mimi

Masters in Education, Education
Mimi's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra
Elementary School Math

I am an interdisciplinary educator with an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. My background is primarily in integrated arts learning and museum education and I specialize in visual arts, history and art history, and object-based learning. In all su...

Education

Harvard University

Masters in Education, Education

Dartmouth College

B.A.

Test Scores
SAT
1560

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Aaron

Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering
Aaron's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Calculus 2
Calculus
Algebra

I'm not tutoring or buried in my textbooks, you will either find me rock climbing at the Triangle Rock Club, playing Ultimate Frisbee, working on my car, or enjoying the great outdoors (beaches, mountains, forests--you name it, I love it). On rainy weekends I enjoy tinkering with computers and old e...

Education

The University of Texas at Dallas

Bachelors, Mechanical Engineering

Duke University

Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1530

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Nina

Masters in biostatistics
Nina's other Tutor Subjects
Statistics Graduate Level
Statistics
Calculus
Algebra

I am a recent graduate from a masters program in biostatistics at Columbia University. I received my Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences, with a focus in neurobiology at Northwestern University. In August, I will be starting a doctoral program in biostatistics at NYU. I was a teaching assistant ...

Education

Columbia University

Masters in biostatistics

Northwestern University

Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences (focus in neurobiology)

Columbia University in the City of New York

Current Grad Student, Biostatistics

Test Scores
SAT
1550

Certified Tutor

Reid

PHD, Education
Reid's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

I am a graduate of Wesleyan University, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with High Honors. With eight years of experience working in education, I've tutored students in math, science, history, and English, as well as helped students prepare for standardized tests. I've guided adults...

Education

Harvard University

PHD, Education

Wesleyan University

Bachelor in Arts, Sociology

Test Scores
ACT
32

Certified Tutor

Liz

Masters, Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities 5-12
Liz's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

I am a graduate of Washington University in St Louis, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in Humanities and Anthropology. Since graduation, I have worked as a tutor, teacher, and director of tutors at a charter public middle school in Boston. During this time I also received ...

Education

Simmons College

Masters, Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities 5-12

Washington University in St. Louis

Bachelor of Arts in History (minors in Humanities and Anthropology)

Test Scores
ACT
34

Certified Tutor

Christopher

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Christopher's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
College Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Trigonometry

I am a rising sophomore at Harvard College and am about to declare as a Mechanical Engineering concentrator, working towards a Bachelor of Science degree. I've always enjoyed sharing my knowledge with my peers and those around me and have done so in both formal and informal settings. I've been a tut...

Education

Harvard College

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
ACT
35

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Solange

Bachelor in Arts (Sociology & Women's Studies)
Solange's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
ACT Writing
Public Speaking

I'm Solange - a recent graduate from Harvard where I studied Sociology & Women's Studies. I've been tutoring for eight years now, and have worked with a wide range of ages and in a wide range of subjects. Some of my specialties are college prep/test taking II worked in the admissions office on campu...

Education

Harvard University

Bachelor in Arts (Sociology & Women's Studies)

Test Scores
ACT
34

Certified Tutor

Michelle

Current Grad Student, M.D.
Michelle's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Geometry
Calculus

I am proud to be a part of Varsity Tutors! I am originally from San Antonio, TX; I completed my undergraduate education at Rice University in Houston where I received a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Currently, I am in my second year of medical school at Baylor College of Medici...

Education

Baylor College of Medicine

Current Grad Student, M.D.

Rice University

Bachelor's in Biochemistry and Cell Biology

Test Scores
SAT
1570

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

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Justin

Doctor of Philosophy, Computational Mathematics
Justin's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Multivariable Calculus

I am an aspiring applied mathematician, with particular interest in image processing and climate science. I graduated in May 2017 from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor's in physics and mathematics, and am beginning a PhD program in September 2017 at the University of Chicago in Com...

Education

Washington University in St. Louis

Bachelor's in Physics and Mathematics

University of Chicago

Doctor of Philosophy, Computational Mathematics

Test Scores
SAT
1560
ACT
33

Meet Varsity Tutors Experts

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Christopher

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +51 Subjects

I am a rising sophomore at Harvard College and am about to declare as a Mechanical Engineering concentrator, working towards a Bachelor of Science degree. I've always enjoyed sharing my knowledge with my peers and those around me and have done so in both formal and informal settings. I've been a tutor for both Math and Spanish programs in high school and enjoyed the strides I made with students. I am willing to tutor any subject I have a background in, but am strong in mathematics, the sciences, Spanish, history, writing, and ACT prep. I enjoy teaching mathematics most due to the joy I can see in children once they master a topic and can answer even pointed questions meant to stump them, and maybe even put their knowledge to real world use. As a tutor, I like to give a strong foundation to orient my student, and then gradually grant them more freedom and independence until they can feel themselves grasp the concept, pointing out pitfalls or common errors along the way; teachers who used these methods on me always left the most lasting impressions. Outside of my studies, I really enjoy listening to music, both old favorites and new interests, reading classics, and gaming/playing basketball with my friends. Hobbies: writing, art, books, reading, gardening, music

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Solange

Calculus Tutor • +31 Subjects

I'm Solange - a recent graduate from Harvard where I studied Sociology & Women's Studies. I've been tutoring for eight years now, and have worked with a wide range of ages and in a wide range of subjects. Some of my specialties are college prep/test taking II worked in the admissions office on campus); social sciences; and literature/writing. Hobbies: books, hiking, reading, music, writing, art

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Michelle

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +27 Subjects

I am proud to be a part of Varsity Tutors! I am originally from San Antonio, TX; I completed my undergraduate education at Rice University in Houston where I received a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Currently, I am in my second year of medical school at Baylor College of Medicine.

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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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Justin

AP Calculus BC Tutor • +48 Subjects

I am an aspiring applied mathematician, with particular interest in image processing and climate science. I graduated in May 2017 from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor's in physics and mathematics, and am beginning a PhD program in September 2017 at the University of Chicago in Computational and Applied Mathematics. I've tutored introductory physics students for three years and enjoyed it thoroughly, as a chance to help other students while revisiting fundamental concepts to enhance my own knowledge. I'm eager to continue reaching out and helping students of math and physics to succeed and, furthermore, to appreciate the beauty and power of these subjects.

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Ingrid

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +51 Subjects

I am exploring my creativity by pursuing a double major in Asian Languages and Cultures with a focus in Korean, studying abroad in South Korea as a Benjamin A. Gilman Scholar, leading workshops that teach 3D printing and CAD for undergraduate students as the president of 3D4E, advocating for the first-generation and low-income student community as the Outreach Chair of the Quest+ Scholars Network, and getting involved with the Society of Women Engineers' outreach committee. I currently hold a work-study position as an administrative clerical aide in the Institute of Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern and was an undergraduate researcher in the John Rogers Lab. As I look forward with aspirations of applying to graduate school, areas of research in biomedical engineering and biotechnology that I am particularly interested in include biomaterials, pharmaceuticals, and drug delivery systems. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy learning on my own and sharing my experience and knowledge with my peers and other students. I hope to make use of my experiences with academics and learning in high school and so far in my undergraduate career in order to effectively tutor students who may be experiencing the same struggles in learning that I also experienced.

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Andrew

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +26 Subjects

I am comfortable tutoring math subjects up to multivariable calculus and differential equations, as well as college physics. Hobbies: books, music, art, reading, writing

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Henry

Calculus Tutor • +41 Subjects

I'm eager to help you in your education. I'm a recent graduate of Harvard College looking to apply to law school. My senior thesis was written on John Dewey's ideas of education, which I deeply believe has incredible power to transform individuals and society.

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Sabira

Middle School Math Tutor • +35 Subjects

I am currently attending Johns Hopkins University, pursuing a dual degree in Computer Science and Applied Math and Statistics. I love helping students and I love the feeling I get knowing that I was able to use my knowledge to make someone else happier. My favorite subject to teach is math because there are so many ways to learn it and if one way does not help I can use another. I used to teach taekwondo and interacted with all kinds of students, and I'm excited to help out more! Hobbies: books, reading, music, writing, art

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Daniel

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +26 Subjects

I am excited to be home and help fellow straphangers on their educational paths! My largest wealth of tutoring experience is in foreign languages--particularly French--but I also feel very comfortable editing essays of any kind and working through standardized test concepts. My availability is extremely flexible, and anywhere in New York City works for me. I look forward to working with you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A tutor can guide you through the process of moving from a general topic to a specific, arguable claim—one that takes a position rather than just stating a fact. They'll help you identify the difference between a thesis that's too broad ("Social media affects society") versus one that's specific and debatable ("Social media algorithms prioritize engagement over accuracy, which undermines informed civic participation"). Through targeted feedback, tutors can help you refine your thesis so it's narrow enough to support with evidence in your essay, yet substantial enough to sustain a full argument.

A strong argumentative essay acknowledges opposing viewpoints to show you've considered multiple perspectives—this actually strengthens your credibility. A tutor can teach you the difference between dismissing a counterargument and refuting it with evidence. They'll help you structure a counterargument section where you present the opposing view fairly, then systematically dismantle it using your own evidence or logic. This approach demonstrates intellectual honesty while keeping your argument in control, rather than letting the counterargument dominate your essay.

Not all evidence carries equal weight in argumentative writing. A tutor can help you distinguish between anecdotal evidence (a single story), statistical data (numbers that show patterns), expert testimony (credible sources), and logical reasoning—and when each type is most persuasive. They'll guide you in evaluating whether your sources are credible and current, and how to integrate evidence smoothly into your paragraphs so it directly supports your claim rather than sitting as an isolated quote. Strong argumentative writers learn to select evidence strategically based on their audience and the specific claim they're defending.

Logical fallacies—like ad hominem attacks, straw man arguments, or false dilemmas—can undermine even well-researched arguments. A tutor can teach you to recognize common fallacies and help you revise sentences where they appear. For example, attacking your opponent's character instead of their argument (ad hominem) weakens your position, as does oversimplifying the opposing view (straw man). Through peer review-style feedback on your drafts, tutors help you catch these errors before submission and strengthen your reasoning so each claim follows logically from your evidence.

Argumentative essays require strategic organization—not just listing reasons, but arranging them in an order that builds momentum and logic. A tutor can help you decide whether to lead with your strongest evidence (to hook readers immediately) or save it for last (to leave a lasting impression). They'll also help you create smooth transitions between paragraphs that show how each new point connects to your thesis and previous arguments, rather than feeling like isolated claims. This creates a cohesive argument where readers can follow your reasoning from introduction through conclusion.

Revision for argumentative writing is different from general proofreading—it's about testing whether your argument actually works. A tutor can help you read your essay as a skeptical reader would: Does each paragraph have a clear topic sentence that advances your argument? Is every piece of evidence actually relevant, or does it just support a tangent? Are there places where you've made claims without sufficient support? Tutors provide targeted feedback on strengthening weak arguments, cutting unnecessary tangents, and ensuring your evidence is doing the persuasive work you intend, rather than just being present.

The tone of a persuasive op-ed differs significantly from an academic argumentative essay or a formal debate brief. A tutor can help you understand how your audience and context shape your voice—whether you're writing for peers, teachers, or the general public. They'll guide you in balancing conviction with credibility: sounding confident in your position without being dismissive or overly emotional. This includes choosing precise, formal language for academic arguments while avoiding jargon that alienates readers, and knowing when passionate language is persuasive versus when it undermines your ethos as a reasonable, thoughtful writer.

Many student writers include relevant evidence but fail to explain how it connects to their claim—leaving readers to make the logical leap themselves. A tutor can teach you to explicitly analyze your evidence by answering: What does this prove? How does it address my specific claim? What assumption does the reader need to accept for this evidence to work? This is where argumentative writing becomes sophisticated: the analysis and explanation of evidence matters as much as the evidence itself. Tutors help you develop this analytical voice so readers understand exactly why each piece of evidence strengthens your position.

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