1^st lesson free

Jackson

Rate $70
Response 1h

$70/h

1^st lesson free

English
Creative writing
Essay writing
Writing

Experienced tutor in English in New York, Jackson offers private lessons tailored to your needs.

English
Creative writing
Essay writing
Writing

Lesson location

- online

About Jackson

When I sit down to assist a student with an academic essay, there are two intended outcomes of equal weight. Of course, I guide the student's writing or research as needed to secure full points. That's a given. However, there is a second outcome other tutors seem to overlook, and I believe this outcome is overlooked exactly because the tutors are stuck in the same position.

Through teaching alternative processes to writing academic essays, I guide the student away from the process and formula they feel confined to and towards an approach that brings them joy and satisfaction. Academic writing is about discovery. Writing an academic essay should be experienced by the student as a paleontologist experiences excavating a site ripe with fossils. They just need the right tutor.

I love writing and I love teaching. Watching a student become excited about the process and develop as a writer is incredibly rewarding.

I've taught for a long time in various arenas. I moved into writing when I became an editor for Leviathan Jewish Journal at the University of California in 2019.

I spent two years as the Editor-in-Chief of a fifty-years-running academic and creative literature journal. I've published one academic essay, two creative non-fiction pieces, two poems, and one fictional short. I am currently in the processes of revising my second novel for a major agency.

Much of my work has been spent teaching in the fields I'm passionate about. My first job was as a skateboard instructor. Later on I designed and conducted video production and software bootcamps, worked at a film education center as both staff and stand-in educator, and finally as an undergraduate editor I worked with many students to hone and develop their work.

About the lesson

Academic, Session One

Prior to the first session, I request and review all materials currently employed for the paper as well as any outlines, drafts, and/or related notes. During the first session we discuss the process the student is currently working within and their own intended outcome. We discuss the concept of a conversation between sources; when employed correctly, this is all but a guaranteed full score. We examine the texts to identify how a conversation may take place. We identify a working-thesis if needed and discuss other materials that may contribute to the conversation they are creating. We find something they're excited about, and then position them to begin the conversation between texts to uncover something new, something they can be proud of. This begins to reorientate the student's experience of writing an academic paper from labor to a creative medium.

Academic, Sessions Two-Final

I request a copy of the working draft the day prior to our second session. During session two, we return to the concept of a conversation between sources. We take the paper-thus-far and discuss all that the student found especially interesting. Once we've landed in a place of genuine interest, we look for relationships between sources together and discuss the best means for the student to identify more on their own time. By the end of session two, the student should have a firm grasp on the concept of designing a conversation around a thesis, and their skills in executing this process will develop in coming sessions. Proceeding sessions focus on both content and form. By the third session all main sources should be identified and in use. The student develops their ability to write in an academic style and form while fleshing out the substance. We review texts, identify flaws and gaps in information, and map a path to the closing the argument. Finally, during the last session we revise for spelling, style, grammar, and form to ensure a unified academic text.

Creative Writing

Creative writing requires a different approach entirely. It cannot be structured in the manner I approach tutoring for academic papers. During the first session, the student and I discuss the project and any and all difficulties with which they are struggling. We discuss what they want to write and why in order to identify an intention. This can be anything within reason; the student simply needs a driving force. Further, we discuss writers they admire and why, which leads to the concept of "voice." I bring short printed excerpts from Cormac McCarthy, William Faulkner, Usula K. Le Guin, and F. Scott Fitzgerald to illustrate concept, and we discuss how the student may find their own. We return to the assignment and apply the student's project concept to writing exercises that will help the student jump-start if they feel stuck and open new avenues. I then assign short readings and exercises to complete under the strong recommendation that they do the reading and exercises before they continue the assignment.

Since there is no formula and no formal rules for creative writing, each session will be uniquely designed for the student's needs. There will be a strong focus throughout on the ultimate aim of finding one's voice as a writer while ensuring the student walks away with a project they're proud of.

While I've only worked with college students in the field of academic and creative writing, I have years of experience working with kids aged five to eighteen in other arenas.

If I was the one searching for a writing tutor, I would look for a person who recognizes that each writer is unique and that there is often no explicit right or wrong. Even in the rigid world of academia, a student will approach a subject in a manner I have not. I know far too many educators who would slash a red x, and I am not one of them. I learn from those I teach.

It was pouring rain the other day, so I bundled up by the window in my apartment in Manhattan, bought a new book then read and wrote until sundown. It's the little things n' all.

A few things worth thinking about before reaching out
For academic writing, a student should consider whether their aim is the immediate grade or long term ability. If they are only seeking to ensure their current paper receives full marks, the teacher may take a simplified approach, but the payoff is much smaller.

For creative writing, a student may consider a focus. I'd ask myself the following questions: do I want to build out a tool box for devising and fleshing out concepts? Do I want to make significant progress in developing my voice? Do I want to learn narrative structures? Or do I want the teacher to look at my work and determine themselves? I could go on, there are so many bits and pieces to creative writing. In any case, all would be addressed, but an emphasis is certainly important to many students.

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5 h: $350
10 h: $700

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This first lesson offered with Jackson will allow you to get to know each other and clearly specify your needs for your next lessons.

1hrs

online

$70/h

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I set a flat rate of $40/hour, but I care more about access than drawing a hard line. I will work with you on pricing if needed.

Experienced tutor in English in New York, Jackson offers private lessons tailored to your needs.

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Experienced tutor in English in New York, Jackson offers private lessons tailored to your needs.

Lesson location

About Jackson

About the lesson

Rates

Rate

Pack rates

free lessons

online

Details

Other tutors in English

Ryan

Sherry

Poe

Michelle

Ritika

Connor

Alaa

Yudith

Mai

Jessica

Leena

Lorraine

Sara

Anabel

Alex Hartman

Imran

Nicole

Vanora

FORSUH

Michelle

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