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Award-Winning American Literature Tutors

Justin

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
Justin

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Justin

Doctor of Philosophy, English
Justin's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
PSAT Writing Skills
SAT Writing and Language

I am a college instructor with ten years experience in the classroom as a teacher and tutor. Originally from South Carolina, I went to school in Pennsylvania and currently live in Alabama. I believe that students learn best through practice and approaching learning through a relaxed lens, thinking a...

Education

University of South Carolina

Bachelor in Arts, English

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Doctor of Philosophy, English

Test Scores
SAT
1530
Karishma

Certified Tutor

Karishma

Bachelor in Arts
Karishma's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Anatomy
Anatomy & Physiology

I am very dedicated to helping students excel in school and in helping them develop study methods and styles that work best for them and that will serve them throughout school. I previously tutored with Boys Hope Girls Hope in Evanston, IL. I tutored middle and high school students in Spanish and En...

Education

Northwestern University

Bachelor in Arts

Test Scores
ACT
34
Sarah

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Sarah

Bachelor of Economics, Economics
Sarah's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
ACT Writing
ACT English

I am an incoming freshman at Northwestern University, and I will be studying economics and international studies. I have lots of experience in mentoring students individually and teaching in the classroom through being a student intern for a sophomore honors English class. I love working with studen...

Education

Northwestern University

Bachelor of Economics, Economics

Test Scores
SAT
1510
ACT
34
Brittney

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Brittney

Master of Arts, English
Brittney's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
PSAT Writing Skills
SAT Reading

I'm a graduate of Princeton University (2009), with a degree in Comparative Literature. I'll be receiving my masters degree in English from Grand Valley State University this fall and I'm looking forward to working with students like you! I've been teaching and tutoring students since 2008 and I spe...

Education

Grand Valley State University

Master of Arts, English

Princeton University

B.A. in Comparative Literature

Test Scores
SAT
1440
Emily

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Emily

Master of Public Health (MPH), concentration in Epidemiology and Global Health
Emily's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

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 ...

Education

Yale University

Master of Public Health (MPH), concentration in Epidemiology and Global Health

Yale School of Public Health

Master in Public Health, Public Health

Yale University

Bachelor of Science (B.S.), double major in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and French

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1550
ACT
36
Connor

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Connor

Master of Arts, Biomedical Sciences
Connor's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
AP Biology
Biochemistry

I am taking time to explore my lifelong interest in teaching. I began tutoring at the University of Notre Dame, where I worked for three years as a teaching assistant in a Cell Biology laboratory course. There, I enjoyed helping my peers understand the larger picture developing through our weekly ex...

Education

Loyola University-Chicago

Master of Arts, Biomedical Sciences

University of Notre Dame

Bachelor of Science

Test Scores
ACT
35
Kevin

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Kevin

Bachelor in Arts
Kevin's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
Pre-Algebra
Statistics
Geometry

I am currently a rising Junior at the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics and minoring in Science, Technology, and Society. From early on, the intellectual development of others has been very important to me. In high school, I developed my school's first summe...

Education

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor in Arts

Test Scores
ACT
34
Jessica

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Jessica

Bachelor of Science, Elementary School Teaching
Jessica's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

I am currently enrolled in Vanderbilt University where I am studying Elementary Education as well as European History. I love working with students, and I intend to make a career out of it. I have experience working with students in different contexts, from the dance studio to the classroom and acro...

Education

Vanderbilt University

Bachelor of Science, Elementary School Teaching

Test Scores
SAT
1520
Sarah

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Sarah

Master of Arts, Sacred Music
Sarah's other Tutor Subjects
6th Grade AP Language Composition
Calculus
Algebra
PSAT Writing Skills

I am liberal arts trained and excel at connecting concepts across academic disciplines.

Education

Yale University

Master of Arts, Sacred Music

Vassar College

Bachelor in Arts, Music

Meet Our Expert Tutors

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Jack

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +50 Subjects

I'm a recent grad from Northwestern (B.A. in Theatre and Economics) who loves teaching and learning. I love helping other people achieve their goals and helping students find ways to be their best selves. Excited to meet and work with Chicagoland's students!

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Tom

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +41 Subjects

I am a firm believer that clear, precise communication between student and tutor makes for a productive and fulfilling learning experience. When I work with students, I strive to listen carefully to find out exactly where they are struggling, and to impart corresponding strategies clearly and concisely. I work with them step by step until we zero in on exactly where the problem is occurring, and tailor solutions from there. These collegial and yet very focused discussions go a long way toward helping me to discern where the student needs help and helping the student to master the content he or she must learn, besides ensuring a pleasant and interesting learning experience.

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Molly

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +41 Subjects

I am a Communications Major with a penchant for reading, writing, some math, and film! (I picked up a Cinema Studies Minor as well) I used to be an editor in a few newspapers, so I love working with others to improve their writing skills. I have tutored many areas in both high school and college and have coached softball to girls of many ages. I especially love helping students master their test-taking skills, because I understand what it was like having to navigate such a high pressure environment! Providing just a few tools can make a world of difference.

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Zachary

Calculus Tutor • +33 Subjects

I'm a PhD at Harvard studying German philosophy and classics (Greek and Latin). Next year, I will be starting law school to pursue my professional passion, tax law. I am deeply committed to the language and LSAT skills I've developed and I love to tutor students of all levels in these subjects. I can't imagine a life without teaching. My favorite part of teaching is helping students come to love -- or at least appreciate -- the details that make up complex subject matters. My favorite moment with any student is when the student realizes how fascinating a subject matter is after really mastering all of the "dry" details. When my students start internalizing the LSAT or languages I am teaching them, I know I am doing my job.

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Ariel

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +53 Subjects

I am a student at Brown University, where I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in psychology. I employ a student-centered approach to tutoring, grounding the session in the student's knowledge of what topics it would be most beneficial to review. I typically begin a session by asking a student if there is any material they have learned since the previous session whose reasoning they would like for me to walk them through. I then help the student work through problems or questions that employ that understanding. My favorite subject to tutor is math; I love helping students understand the logic of a subject in which they may have been relying for years on memorization. I have been tutoring since 2016, and I have experience teaching math, science, language arts, history, French, and study skills to students in elementary, middle, and high school. I currently focus on math (pre-algebra, algebra, geometry), English, test prep, and essay writing.

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Maddy

Calculus Tutor • +62 Subjects

I'm a recent graduate of Harvard University and a natural teacher, and I'd be thrilled to help you build your skills, gain academic confidence, and get results! My B.A. is in American history and literature with a minor in theater. I spent my college years producing and directing student theater, writing plays, giving campus tours, and researching and writing my honors thesis on art criticism in New York City in the late 1960s.

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Katherine

Calculus Tutor • +42 Subjects

I am willing to help a student reach higher grades, but more important to me than the grade is that the student is actually getting something out of what we are doing, and truly learning, not just retaining information, but engaging with the material and enjoying what they are learning. I firmly believe that hard work pays off, and with the right encouragement and help, a student can achieve anything they set their mind to. You're never to old to learn something new, and the doorways opened by education are endless. Hobbies: travel, reading, music, writing, art, books, traveling, photography

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George

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +32 Subjects

I'm more likely to give an answer quickly when a teacher asks a question if I have a habit of properly attuned instincts. So, if I want your confidence to grow, I need to redirect the water your instincts flow through to the proper conduits of careful thinking.

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Michelle

Calculus Tutor • +34 Subjects

I am a recent graduate of Columbia University's American Studies MA program. I received my undergraduate degree at NYU in Journalism and Africana Studies. I have over 2 years experience helping students in NYC. I love reading, writing, and social and cultural analysis.

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Dalton

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +45 Subjects

I am no stranger to people getting tutors in order to succeed. An ambition to accomplish any academic goal was encouraged all my life; thus, I am accustomed to studying hard on top of participating in countless extra-curricular activities. I graduated highs school and received a diploma from the extremely rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) program, and began attending an Ivy League college, the University of Pennsylvania, in 2016. With all this said, I am confident that I will be able to teach clients effective ways to solve any problems they have.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A strong thesis is the foundation of any compelling American Literature essay. Tutors can help you move beyond surface-level observations to craft arguments that are specific, defensible, and analytical. Through guided discussion, they'll help you identify patterns across texts, refine vague ideas into clear claims, and ensure your thesis actually answers the prompt rather than just summarizing the plot.

The personalized feedback you get during tutoring allows you to test your thesis ideas before writing the full essay, saving you time and helping you avoid common pitfalls like thesis statements that are too broad or too obvious.

Summary answers "what happened," while analysis answers "why it matters and how it works." Many students struggle with this distinction—they describe the plot of a novel when they should be examining how an author uses symbolism, character development, or narrative structure to convey meaning.

A tutor can teach you how to move from plot summary to genuine literary analysis by showing you how to ask the right questions: What is the author's purpose? How do specific details (imagery, dialogue, point of view) support that purpose? What does this work reveal about American culture or values? With practice and personalized guidance, you'll develop the critical thinking skills that elevate your writing.

Writer's block often stems from feeling overwhelmed by the scope of an assignment or uncertain about how to begin. Tutors combat this by breaking the writing process into manageable steps: close reading and annotation, brainstorming and outlining, drafting, and revision. Rather than expecting you to produce a polished essay from scratch, they help you start small—perhaps with a single paragraph analyzing a key passage—and build momentum from there.

They can also help you generate ideas through conversation and Socratic questioning, which is often more effective than staring at a blank page. By demystifying the writing process and providing structure, tutors help you move from paralysis to productive work.

Personalized tutoring goes beyond marking grammar errors. You'll receive feedback on thesis clarity, argument development, evidence selection, and how well your analysis supports your claims. Tutors help you understand not just what to fix, but why it needs fixing—and how to fix it in a way that improves your voice and analytical skills.

This targeted feedback accelerates your growth as a writer because you're learning principles you can apply to future assignments, rather than just correcting individual mistakes. You'll also get guidance on revision strategies, like reading your work aloud, checking for logical flow, and ensuring every paragraph serves your overall argument.

Yes. Tutors work with students on whatever texts and assignments their school assigns—whether you're analyzing the Transcendentalists, examining the Great American Novel, exploring African American Literature, or studying contemporary American authors. They can help you understand the historical and cultural context of these works, which deepens comprehension and strengthens your analysis.

If you're preparing for quizzes, essays, or class discussions, a tutor can help you engage with the material more deeply before you step into the classroom. This kind of preparation builds confidence and helps you contribute more meaningfully to class conversations.

Absolutely. Proper citation is a crucial part of academic writing, and many students find the formatting rules confusing. Tutors can teach you MLA formatting conventions—how to cite novels, short stories, poems, and secondary sources; how to format in-text citations; and how to create a Works Cited page.

More importantly, they help you understand why citation matters: it's about giving credit to sources, allowing readers to find those sources themselves, and building your credibility as a writer. Once you understand the purpose, the mechanics become easier to remember and apply.

Close reading means examining specific words, phrases, imagery, and structural choices to understand how an author creates meaning. It's the skill that transforms good literary analysis into excellent analysis. Tutors teach you systematic approaches to close reading: annotating as you read, asking analytical questions, tracking patterns and shifts in the text, and connecting details to larger themes.

Through guided practice with specific passages, you'll learn to notice what matters, articulate why it matters, and use evidence from the text to support your interpretations. This skill applies across all of American Literature—from early colonial texts to modern fiction—and strengthens your analytical writing in every assignment.

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