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Award-Winning ACT Writing Tutors

Certified Tutor
16+ years
John
Years of writing and performing — John holds a BFA in English/Drama — trained him to construct arguments that land with an audience, which is precisely what ACT essay graders are looking for when they score perspective analysis and rhetorical clarity. He teaches students to treat the 40-minute promp...
University of St Thomas
Bachelor of Fine Arts, English/Drama
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
Associates, Acting

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Ilesh
Scoring a 36 ACT composite means Ilesh knows exactly how the Writing section's rubric rewards argument structure over fancy vocabulary. He teaches students to build a clear thesis, engage all three perspectives efficiently, and organize their essay so graders see logical progression within the 40-mi...
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Elliot
The ACT Writing essay rewards a specific structure: a clear thesis, engagement with all three perspectives, and concrete reasoning that ties them together. Elliot breaks down each scoring dimension — Ideas and Analysis, Development and Support, Organization, Language Use — so students know exactly w...
Hampshire College
Bachelor in Arts, Cognitive Science
Vanderbilt University
Doctor of Philosophy, Neuroscience
Certified Tutor
5+ years
Sugi
Scoring well on ACT Writing means constructing a clear, well-organized argument under tight time pressure — a skill Sugi has sharpened from both sides, as a 36-scoring test taker and as someone who has reviewed essays on admissions committees at Rice and Baylor College of Medicine. She teaches stude...
Rice University
Bachelor's degree in Cognitive Science and Biochemistry & Cell Biology
Baylor College of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine, Ophthalmic Technology
Certified Tutor
10+ years
Chelain
I am currently a resident physician at Northwestern Hospital.
Thomas Jefferson University
PHD, PhD: Molecular Pharmacology and Structural Biology; MD: Medicine. Currently a Resident in Radiation Oncology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. C
Swarthmore College
Bachelors, Biology, Psychology
Certified Tutor
8+ years
Anna
The ACT Writing essay asks for something very specific: a thesis that engages three given perspectives, supported by concrete reasoning — not a personal narrative or a five-paragraph formula. Anna earned a 36 ACT composite and trains students to outline a high-scoring argument in under five minutes,...
Northwestern University
Bachelor in Arts, Anthropology
Northwestern University
Graduated (Honors Program in Medical Education)
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Alex
A strong ACT Writing score comes down to engaging with all three perspectives in the prompt and building a coherent argument under tight time pressure. Alex, who earned a perfect 36 ACT composite, walks students through a reusable essay structure — clear thesis, specific counterargument analysis, pu...
Washington and Lee University
Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering
Certified Tutor
Christopher
Christopher's Harvard mechanical engineering coursework demands constant technical writing — structuring claims, supporting them with evidence, and cutting anything that doesn't serve the argument — which is the same discipline the ACT essay rewards in a 40-minute window. He teaches students to quic...
Harvard College
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Certified Tutor
A strong ACT Writing score comes from structure, not just opinions — knowing how to engage with three perspectives, build a clear thesis, and use specific reasoning rather than vague filler. Chaya brings her own writing background in essays and expository work to teach students a repeatable framewor...
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Bachelor
Certified Tutor
Eric
Between his business degree and a perfect 36 ACT composite, Eric knows how to construct a concise, well-supported argument on a deadline — which is the entire game on the ACT Writing section's 40-minute, three-perspective prompt. He teaches students to skip the agonizing over which perspective is 'r...
University of Michigan
Bachelor in Business Administration, Business
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Emily
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +38 Subjects
I am a Yale graduate with over 8 years experience tutoring students from a variety of backgrounds. I recently graduated from the Yale School of Public Health with a MPH concentrating in Epidemiology and Global Health. I also received my B.S. from Yale with a double major in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and French. I have experience both leading group classes and working with students one on one. I will respond to a student's strengths, weaknesses, and learning style in order to help them succeed and make the most of our time together. I earned a perfect score of 36 on the ACT, 2280 on the SAT, and qualified as a National Merit Scholar on the PSAT. I look forward to working with you! Hobbies: writing, art, books, music, dancing, baking, reading
Sarah
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +17 Subjects
I am a Neuroscience and Behavior major at Columbia University. Although my major is centered in the STEM field, I am also passionate about human rights work, global engagement, and local outreach. While my future plans are subject to change, I see myself continuing in academia, going to medical school, and becoming a physician.
Austin
Elementary Math Tutor • +35 Subjects
Hobbies: reading, music, writing, art, books, traveling, travel, outdoors
Alexandra
Elementary School Science Tutor • +2 Subjects
Hi! My name is Alexandra, and I am a Princeton University Neuroscience major with 5+ years of tutoring experience. I specialize in SAT/ACT/PSAT prep and have successfully taught topics ranging from computer science and basic sciences to elementary reading and writing and college essay writing. In high school, I scored a perfect 36 on the ACT on my first attempt, a perfect 1520 on the PSAT/NMSQT, won "finalist" status in the National Merit Scholarship competition, and was a medalist in the New York Science Olympiad. As an undergraduate at the top-ranked university, I focus specifically on standardized test preparation, including the SAT, ACT, and PSAT. I have an understanding of the structure and timing of the exams and the strategic approaches that are required to achieve top scores. I have successfully supported students in improving their performance through individualized study plans because I understand that not all students can use the same approaches to succeed. My approach emphasizes effective time management and a mastery of recurring question types. Outside of college test preparation, I have tutored students ages 5 to 17 in a variety of topics. A common teaching approach I use is to introduce new concepts with example problems that we work through together. I then explain each strategy and help the student through another problem, encouraging them to explain their thinking step by step. Finally, I let the student tackle a problem independently. Once a student can articulate why a method works, they are truly ready to apply it on their own. While this method suits many students, I understand that everyone learns differently and pride myself on being adaptable within and outside of lessons.
Benjamin
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +36 Subjects
I'm a rising junior at Columbia University studying English literature and computer science. I'm excited to begin my first summer working with Varsity Tutors! My strongest tutoring areas include ACT test prep, algebra and calculus I, computer science (Java and C) and building reading and writing skills (including essay assignments). I have experience tutoring and mentoring middle school and high school students. My tutoring style is relaxed but efficient; I always try to keep the material interesting and focus on the big picture over minutiae. When I'm not tutoring, I occupy my time by reading, swimming, playing tennis, eating Chipotle, and finding new music.
Edward
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +32 Subjects
I am currently studying chemical engineering at the University of Michigan. I have always helped out my fellow students with schoolwork, and I have tutored in the National Honor Society for three years. My tutoring strengths include my abilities to stay calm, be patient, and offer different perspectives on the learning process. I do not just help my students learn the material, but I also teach them how to learn it. I tutor math and test prep courses. Outside of school and tutoring, I play the piano. I have played classical piano for 13 years and jazz piano for 7. Hobbies: reading, music, art, books, writing
Logan
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +31 Subjects
I'm eager to teach students how to make connections and understand any part of the world they need! Hobbies: art, books, writing, reading, music
Eileen
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +70 Subjects
I am a student at Vanderbilt University, majoring in Neuroscience while on the pre-med track. In the future, I hope to become a pediatrician. I have experience with and tutor in a wide range of subjects, and am most passionate about helping students with standardized exams. I know from personal experience that any exam score can be improved with studying and practice, no matter how frustrating or impossible it may seem. As a tutor, my goal is to listen to and address my students' needs as thoroughly as possible. Outside of academics, I love to fold origami, watch Criminal Minds, and hang out with my dog.
Dylan
AP Calculus BC Tutor • +44 Subjects
I'm a sophomore at Vanderbilt University, majoring in Physics and Classics and minoring in Mathematics and Computer Science. I'm qualified to teach a wide variety of subjects, but prefer to focus on the fields I'm studying in school listed above; I have a passion for those areas that I want to share with everyone, no matter the education level or confidence. I believe that no one is "bad at math," but many people haven't been taught math and science concepts in a way that matches how they best learn. As a result, I try to tailor my teaching style to be the best it can be for each individual student. With regard to math and physics, I myself prefer a physical, graphical understanding of different concepts, so I do best at explaining what seemingly abstract concepts actually mean in the real world and how they act on a graph.
David
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +36 Subjects
I'm experienced in and passionate about (especially computer skills, Python, and math) with others. I try to convey the principles and thought process that are the basis of my own understanding of the subject, not just rules to follow or things to memorize. Being able to explain your answer is even more important than simply getting it right! My tutoring style is personalized, with plenty of examples and frequent knowledge checks to ensure I and my student(s) are in sync. In my spare time I enjoy cycling, skiing, woodworking, reading, and vacationing to Lake Superior. Hobbies: books, music, hiking, art, reading, writing
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
ACT Writing has two distinct question types that require different skills. Grammar questions test punctuation, sentence structure, and verb tense—basically technical correctness. Rhetoric questions ask you to improve word choice, reorganize sentences for clarity, add/delete content for relevance, and understand how ideas connect. Many students excel at one but struggle with the other, so a tutor can diagnose which type trips you up and build targeted strategies for each.
The most common challenges are comma usage and placement (especially with introductory phrases and dependent clauses), pronoun-antecedent agreement, and recognizing when a sentence is actually correct as-is. On the rhetoric side, students often miss questions about redundancy and wordiness, struggle to identify the purpose of a sentence within a paragraph, and have trouble spotting when a sentence or phrase should be deleted for relevance. Understanding these patterns helps tutors focus on what will move your score fastest.
ACT Writing gives you 45 minutes to tackle 5 passages with 15 questions total, which works out to about 9 minutes per passage. Most students benefit from spending 2-3 minutes reading and marking up the passage, then 6-7 minutes answering questions. The key is not getting stuck on hard questions—mark your best guess and move on, then return if time allows. A tutor can help you practice this timing with real tests so it feels natural on test day rather than stressful.
Take a full-length ACT practice test under timed conditions, then review every question you missed or guessed on. Categorize them: Was it a grammar rule you didn't know? Did you misread the question? Did you understand the grammar but miss the rhetorical purpose? Tracking patterns across multiple practice tests reveals whether you need to strengthen grammar fundamentals, improve reading comprehension of the passages, or develop better test-taking strategies. A tutor can accelerate this analysis and create a focused study plan based on your specific gaps.
Most students see 2-4 point improvements within 4-6 weeks of focused tutoring, though the amount depends on your starting point and consistency. Students with significant grammar gaps or weak reading comprehension may improve faster once they understand the patterns, while students already scoring 30+ typically need more targeted work on the trickiest rhetoric questions. Consistent practice with real ACT passages—not just grammar drills—combined with strategic feedback is what drives real score gains.
A strong ACT Writing tutor should understand both the grammar rules tested and the rhetorical concepts that make the section unique. They should be able to explain why an answer is correct using ACT's specific logic, not just general grammar rules—for example, knowing when ACT considers a sentence "too wordy" versus "concise." They should also use actual ACT passages and questions in tutoring, help you develop a personalized pacing strategy, and teach you to recognize question patterns so you can apply strategies to unfamiliar passages.
Focus on untimed practice first—work through a full passage without the clock to understand the questions deeply and check your reasoning. Once you're consistently accurate, time yourself on individual passages (9 minutes each) before attempting full 45-minute sections. Keep an error log noting whether you missed questions due to not knowing a rule, misreading the passage, or misunderstanding what the question asked. Review this log with your tutor to spot patterns and adjust your study focus accordingly.
ACT Writing anxiety often stems from running out of time or second-guessing yourself. Building confidence through timed practice with real passages is the most effective antidote—when you've practiced under pressure, test day feels familiar. Develop a pre-passage routine (skim the passage, mark key ideas, then answer questions) so you have a consistent process to fall back on when nerves hit. A tutor can also help you distinguish between productive self-checking and unproductive overthinking, so you learn when to trust your first instinct versus when to reconsider.
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