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Award-Winning Literature Tutors

Nico

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Nico

AB
Nico's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math

I'm a student at Yale University majoring in both Economics and Global Affairs. Over the past 4 years, I am lucky to have worked with students of all ages and helped them reach their full potential. I offer tutoring services in all subjects, and I'm particularly interested in English, Economics, Go...

Education

Yale University

AB

Joey

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Joey

Master's/Graduate
Joey's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra

Howdy! My name's Joey, I love all things music and tech as well as hitting the gym. I hold degrees in mechanical and aerosapce engineering as well as scientific computing from the University of Glasgow and University of Pennsylvania. I've been an instructor and TA at both institutions and I greatly ...

Education

University of Pennsylvania

Master's/Graduate

University of Glasgow

Bachelor

Aaron

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Aaron

AB
Aaron's other Tutor Subjects
6th Grade AP Language Composition
Middle School Math
Elementary School Math
PSAT Writing Skills

I am a recent college graduate with an A.B. in Education Studies from Brown University (Providence, RI). I have worked as a remote tutor for other online platforms throughout 2021. I am most passionate about English, especially literary analysis and essay writing. When I am not tutoring, I enjoy exe...

Education

Brown University

AB

Zachary

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Zachary

AM
Zachary's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Trigonometry
Pre-Calculus

I am a driven, positive, affirming tutor who is happy to help students in any way he can. I graduated magna cum laude from Dartmouth College in 2020, and I obtained my Master's in Political Science from the University of Toronto in 2022. In 2016, I received an SAT score of 1550. That year, I also r...

Education

Dartmouth College

AM

Valerie

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Valerie

Bachelor's
Valerie's other Tutor Subjects
AP English Literature and Composition
AP English Language and Composition
Literature
Essay Editing

I have a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, where I majored in Communication through Annenberg and minored in Consumer Psychology through Wharton. Since graduating in 2019, I have amassed experience in both business and creative communication. From 2019 to 2024, I focused on public relation...

Education

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor's

Evan

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Evan

AB
Evan's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
Statistics
Middle School Math
Elementary School Math

Hello! My name is Evan Leshinskie, and I am a first-year law student at the University of Utah S.J Quinney School of Law. I recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from Pepperdine University with my Bachelor's of Arts in Economics. I tutor a wide range of subjects, but I have the most experience working ...

Education

Pepperdine University

AB

Isaac

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Isaac

Bachelor's (in progress)
Isaac's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Algebra

Hi everyone! I'm Isaac Ahn from Rochester, MN, and I am currently studying at Harvard University to earn a degree in Applied Math. I remember how challenging it was for me preparing for standardized tests like the SAT, PSAT, and over a dozen AP tests, and so I am inspired to now help guide other st...

Education

Harvard University

Bachelor's (in progress)

Meagan

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Meagan

AM
Meagan's other Tutor Subjects
SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 2
SAT
ACT
SAT Subject Tests

I have a bachelor's degree in History, with minors in English and Ancient and Medieval Studies, and a master's in Communication and Rhetorical Studies. I specialize in teaching and tutoring public speaking, writing, and test prep, and look forward to helping students reach their full potential.

Education

Syracuse University

AM

The University of Alabama

AM

Ashley

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Ashley

Master's/Graduate
Ashley's other Tutor Subjects
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Chemistry

As a passionate educator with a Bachelor's in Biochemistry and Health Humanities and a Master's in History, I have over 2 years of teaching experience across a variety of subjects, including General Chemistry, Microbiology, and History of Yugoslavia. I am excited to tutor for subjects such as AP Bio...

Education

Mcgill University

Master's/Graduate

Northeastern University

Bachelor's

Gordon

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Gordon

Bachelor
Gordon's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Calculus

Hello! I am an Arizona State University graduate with a Bachelors of Science in Biological Science. My academic background is grounded in both technical problem-solving and a deep curiosity about how systems, whether digital or human, function. Outside the classroom, I've had the opportunity to work...

Education

Arizona State University

Bachelor

Meet Our Expert Tutors

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

Callista

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +44 Subjects

As a passionate tutor with over 2 years of experience, I am dedicated to helping students excel in subjects like AP Calculus, AP English, and ACT preparation. Currently pursuing my Bachelor's degree in Political Science at Louisiana Tech University, I integrate practical applications into my teaching, ensuring that students not only grasp concepts but also retain them. I believe in creating a supportive learning environment where students feel empowered to ask questions and deepen their understanding. My commitment to their success drives me to tailor my instruction to meet individual needs, making learning an enjoyable journey. In my spare time, I enjoy exploring aviation and delving into literature, both of which enhance my tutoring approach and foster meaningful connections with my students.

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Destiny

AP Statistics Tutor • +50 Subjects

Hello, my name is Destiny and I graduated from Howard University. I majored in Psychology with a minor in Biology and Administration of Justice. One of the most important lessons I've learned from school is the value of asking for help. This can be the difference between simply memorizing some facts and truly understanding the material given to you. In many cases, learning in a traditional school setting is not effective and students should feel free to reach out for extra guidance. I strive to be that source of guidance for all students who need it. I believe that everyone learns in their own way and that the key to helping someone else lies in finding their unique style of learning. I take great pleasure in finding those styles and using them to enrich students minds. My main areas of expertise are Psychology and English. Ive been reading at a college level since middle school and scored 5s on both AP English tests. I also scored a 5 on the AP Psychology exam in addition to receiving As in all my psychology classes. I have extensive experience with essay writing, essay editing, and researching. Other subjects I can assist with include Algebra I and II, Geometry, and SAT/ACT prep. Outside of class, I like to stay busy with school activities and hobbies. I spend most of my time playing the trumpet in my schools marching band or studying. But when I have free time, I typically catch up with my shows or read.

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Sarah

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +50 Subjects

I'm a college student at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. I am in my junior year of a computer science degree. Outside of classes, I work as a college tour guide, IT technician, and camp counselor. I love working with young people to plan for and achieve success, especially as it pertains to test and college prep. I have been working with young people from an early age, at summer camps, church groups, and as a part of my college's admissions department. I am ready to adapt to every student's unique learning styles and habits, and I hope to see my work inspire a boost in performance and confidence for many.

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Haley Shea

Elementary Statistics Tutor • +143 Subjects

Haley graduated from the University of North Georgia with two bachelor's degrees in English Writing & Publication and Interdisciplinary Studies (Mathematics/Technology, Social Science, and Humanities concentrations), and an associate's degree in Psychological Science (2020). Previously, she completed an associate's in Communication, Film & Digital Media Studies (2016). While at UNG, she worked as a Writing Center Peer Consultant, Supplemental Instruction Facilitator, English Department Student Administrative Assistant, Writing Fellow, and Ambassador for the Center for Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities (in addition to programming stimulus displays for EEG experiments in the neuroscience lab). Her major fields of study are supplemented by three minors: Linguistics, Psychology, and Studies of English Language Learning. Combined, this background enables a flexible tutoring approach that can be customized to meet the needs of both additional-language learners and individuals facing cognitive challenges. Haley Shea is currently pursuing graduate-level education in cognitive science, conducting neuroscientific laboratory research in psycholinguistics and brain-computer interface, and training for a career in human-computer interaction. During college, her top subjects were Advanced English Grammar and Linguistics. There, she was known for her passionate leadership of study sessions for sentence-diagramming, which inspired her laboratory research. An active community member, she was Vice President of the English Honor Society chapter and led the UNG Writers Guild for two years, helping students write and gather valuable feedback from one another, enabling them to better proofread and edit their work for future publications. Many of those writers saw their work in print through UNG's award-winning student literary magazine, for which Haley Shea served as an editor for several years. Other campus engagements included running the community book drive for over two years and founding an all-student improv troupe which went on to perform and compete in tournaments around the state and region. While acting helped her become comfortable on-stage, Haley Shea also greatly benefited from her time as a member of the speech and debate team, placing first in statewide debate and slam poetry competitions over the years. Her favorite topic of both debate and poetry is that of human innovation and interaction with emerging technology, especially in relation to ethical policies on artificial intelligence. Captivated by syntax in both spoken language and computer code, she is fascinated with recent developments in language-based software and hopes to contribute to the field of computational psycholinguistics while earning her PhD. After graduating, Haley Shea knew she wanted to keep supporting other students toward their goals. A scholarship student herself, she always loves any chance to help individuals express their strengths and unique personal histories in ways that will help further their goals. To this end, she continues to mentor applicants for nationally competitive scholarships and other student support opportunities, such as the McNair Scholars Program and Goldwater STEM Scholarship, two major awards which made an immense difference toward the funding of her bachelor's education when she was named an official recipient in 2019, in honor of her interdisciplinary research and commitment to fostering student success on campus. She finds joy in any opportunity to uplift other students--especially women in STEM, individuals facing disabilities, or anyone who seeks to improve their command of the English language. In sharing her passions with her students, she helps them break out of "analysis paralysis" into a fun, personalized routine that helps foster positive associations with the topic of study and strong metacognitive skills that lead to improved performance over time. Special Topic Announcement: Students of English writing, grammar, comprehension, et cetera may enjoy developing their meta-linguistic awareness through Sentence Diagramming. Ask during booking to learn more about how you can become a grammar wiz through one-on-one classes in Sentence Diagramming taught by Haley Shea.

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Amanda

Public Speaking Tutor • +17 Subjects

I received my BA in English Literature from Macalester College, a private, liberal arts institution in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 2012. This May, I completed my Masters in English Literature at the University of Colorado at Boulder. While at CU, I was hired as an English and Writing tutor for college student-athletes in the Herbst Academic Center. I met with students every week, not only gaining experience tutoring in numerous different English courses and writing classes across disciplines, but also building relationships with my students, acting as a mentor, and learning how to adjust to different students learning styles and interests. I also had two semesters of teaching experience at CU, as a Teaching Assistant for an upper-level course, Modern and Contemporary Literature for non-majors, and as a graduate teacher for an introductory level course, Writing about Literature and Literature about Writing. In these roles, I was responsible for teaching my own recitation sections, creating and grading assignments, leading discussions, teaching writing, and meeting with students one-on-one and in small groups during office hours. Additionally, I acted as a liason between the students and the professor, communicating effectively to ensure the accomplishment of learning objectives. In addition to tutoring all kinds of English, literature, and writing courses, and although those subjects are my favorites, I am also available to tutor for GRE verbal, SAT and ACT reading and writing, and AP test prep. Additionally, I have professional experience tutoring elementary and middle school students in phonics, reading, writing, and all aspects of literacy. After graduating from college, I served for one year as an AmeriCorps Literacy VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) in a low-income after-school program. During that service year, I created and implemented grade-level literacy assessments and a tutoring program for which I recruited, trained, and supervised several volunteers. The following year, I continued my work as a member of the community centers full-time staff and took on larger teaching, tutoring, and classroom management roles. My teaching philosophy is, most importantly, student-centered. As a teacher of English in particular, I am a believer that there is no one right answer in a text, but rather several valuable lessons to be learned and several possible approaches for reaching those lessons. The innumerable possibilities literature opens up for readers are what make me so passionate about it, both in and out of the classroom. Teaching in a flipped classroom, I have seen firsthand that when students are given choice, ownership, and the freedom to be creative in their learning, they take away much more than I could teach them in a one-way flow of information. Furthermore, I have had many students come away from my classes or lessons saying that they enjoyed reading more than they ever had, and that the skills they learned from me helped them in other classes. I get to know each of my students personalities and goals, and give each individual responsibilities to contribute to the learning community. I consider myself a leader, responsible for guiding each student to his or her highest potential, but also a member of the team, rather than a higher authority. During my Masters, my area of expertise was 19th Century American literature, and I am particularly interested in the American Westfrom literature, to film, to television. Even outside of academia, I read for fun all the time and like to write. I love being outdoorshiking, biking, backpacking, and skiing. I enjoy playing with my dog, cooking, and watching baseball. I played college softball, so I also coach softball and like to stay involved in the game however I can. I consider myself a lifelong learner in everything I do, and coaching and tutoring will be passions of mine no matter what other career I pursue.

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Lauren

PSAT Writing Skills Tutor • +41 Subjects

I graduated from Augustana University with my Bachelor's Degree in English Literature and Religion/Philosophy in 2019. I then completed my Masters in Humanities from the University of Chicago in 2020 and Masters in English Literature from University of St. Thomas in 2025. I was an English, Social Studies, and Spanish I was an English/History Instructor at a 1:1 school for middle school and high school students with learning differences. I was previously a college advisor for a nonprofit organization that assists college students from low-income backgrounds. I love encouraging students to develop their own writing and feel confident in their written communication skills! I am also eager to expand my teaching skills into more English Literature to share my passion for and knowledge the power of reading. My ultimate goal is to become an English Literature professor and I'm so grateful to grow as an educator with Varsity Tutors! I look forward to meeting and working with you!

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Etinosa

Cell Biology Tutor • +34 Subjects

I graduated with a B.A from Cornell University and majored in biology (premed) with a concentration in genetics. I am currently 2nd year medical student at DUCOM and am passionate about biology, biochemistry and English. I understand the struggle of memorising small details and struggling to understand the big picture conceptually. I look forward to working with students struggling with stem courses

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Sophia

Public Speaking Tutor • +42 Subjects

At a time when so many tutors use AI to create lesson plans, conduct research, and even grade students' work, I want to reiterate my committment to not using AI in our work together. Hi! I'm Sophia, a writer, editor, tutor, and voice teacher. I graduated Vanderbilt University with my Bachelor's in History, a second major in Voice, a concentration in Musicology, and a minor in Italian. I'm currently pursuing my Master's. I have extensive experience with academic writing and am also an award-winning creative writer. If you need help editing an essay, college personal statement, or writing of any kind, I'm here! I tutor middle school through collegiate humanities (think ELA and History), as well as Voice and musical academics (Musicology, Music Theory, Solfege, Conducting, etc.) for students of all ages.

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Chamberlyn

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +56 Subjects

"Make your life a masterpiece, imagine no limitations on what you can be, have, or do." -Brian Tracy B.S. in Cognitive Studies and Child Development & Education at Vanderbilt University; M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. As an educator, I am honored to have the opportunity to share my knowledge in order to contribute to the success of others! I firmly believe in a holistic style of education one that places an emphasis on the student as opposed to the content. From personal experience, I am aware that every person learns differently from one another and ground my style of teaching in what best suits my students. To me, it is important to empower all students and encourage their desire to learn; after all, exams and grades are only temporary, but knowledge lasts forever! I wholeheartedly enjoy teaching all subjects that fall within the realm of my expertise, but I am especially passionate about biology, chemistry, mathematics, writing, and most of all teaching how to learn!

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Norah

Biology Tutor • +29 Subjects

I am a Yale undergraduate student majoring in American Studies! I am interested in education, specifically the subjects history and social studies, because I believe it is very important to have a holistic understanding of the world and communities we live in. I am interested in reading and writing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Many students struggle to move beyond plot summary and develop meaningful interpretations of texts. Common challenges include identifying and analyzing literary devices (metaphor, symbolism, tone, imagery), understanding how these devices support a work's themes, and supporting interpretations with specific textual evidence. Students often write what they think the teacher wants to hear rather than developing their own analytical voice. A Literature tutor helps students learn to ask critical questions about a text—why did the author use this word choice? What does this symbol represent?—and then build arguments grounded in close reading.

A strong thesis in Literature goes beyond stating a fact about a text; it makes an arguable claim about meaning, significance, or craft. Tutors work with students to move from vague observations ("Symbolism is important in this novel") to specific, debatable arguments ("The recurring motif of water represents the protagonist's internal struggle between freedom and responsibility"). The tutor guides you to test your thesis against the text, ask whether it's specific enough to sustain an essay, and refine it through revision. This personalized feedback on your emerging ideas—before you've written the full essay—saves time and prevents you from heading down weak argumentative paths.

Close reading is the practice of carefully examining specific passages—word choice, syntax, imagery, tone—to uncover layers of meaning in a text. Rather than reading passively for plot, close readers ask: What is the author doing here? How does this sentence work? What does the language reveal about character or theme? Many students skim texts or rely on SparkNotes summaries, missing the rich details that make strong literary analysis possible. Tutors teach close reading strategies like annotating for patterns, tracking shifts in tone, and noticing what an author emphasizes or omits—skills that transform how students engage with literature and write about it.

Weak essays often drop quotes into paragraphs without explanation, leaving readers confused about relevance. Strong integration means introducing the quote (with context about who speaks, when, or why), including the quote itself, and then analyzing what it reveals—explaining the connection between the evidence and your argument. For example, rather than just citing a quote about a character's fear, you'd explain how the specific word choice or imagery conveys that fear and supports your larger point about the character's development. Tutors provide real-time feedback on your drafts, showing you how to frame quotes with signal phrases, choose the most telling passages, and follow quotes with analysis that proves their significance to your thesis.

Developing a distinctive analytical voice means moving beyond formulaic five-paragraph essay structures and writing with confidence in your interpretations. Many students default to passive constructions ("It can be argued that...") or overly formal language that obscures their thinking. Strong literary analysis uses precise, active language and lets your reasoning shine through. Tutors help you recognize the difference between grammatical correctness (which matters) and stylistic choices that reflect how you think. Through revision conversations, you'll learn which sentences are doing real analytical work, where you can be more concise or more specific, and how to sound like a thoughtful reader rather than a student trying to sound "academic."

Revision in Literature writing happens in layers. First, check that your thesis is clear and specific, and that every paragraph supports it—this is argument-level revision. Next, examine your evidence: Are your quotes the strongest possible examples? Do you analyze them deeply enough? Then refine your analysis and voice: Are you explaining *why* the evidence matters, or just *what* it says? Finally, address sentence-level issues like clarity and word choice. Many students revise only for grammar, missing opportunities to strengthen their arguments. Tutors guide you through this systematic revision process, asking questions that help you identify weak spots in reasoning, surface-level analysis, or underdeveloped ideas—and then work with you to deepen your thinking before you polish for grammar.

Each genre has distinct features that require different analytical approaches. Poetry demands close attention to form—line breaks, meter, rhyme scheme, stanza structure—and how these formal choices create meaning. Drama requires analyzing dialogue, stage directions, and dramatic irony to understand character and conflict. Novels offer more space for character development, narrative perspective, and thematic complexity across hundreds of pages. Students often apply the same analytical toolkit to all genres and miss what makes each one unique. Tutors help you develop genre-specific reading strategies: learning to hear the music of a poem, recognizing how a playwright uses silence and movement, or tracking how a novelist's narrative voice shapes your understanding of events.

Literature essays typically use MLA (Modern Language Association) format, though some teachers may request APA or Chicago style. MLA emphasizes in-text citations with author and page number, plus a Works Cited page—this format keeps focus on the text itself rather than publication date. Correct citation matters because it gives credit to sources, allows readers to find the passages you reference, and demonstrates you've engaged with the actual text rather than summaries. Beyond formatting rules, citation reflects your credibility as a reader and writer. Tutors ensure you understand the logic behind citation (why we cite, not just how), help you format correctly for your assignment, and teach you to integrate citations smoothly into your prose so they support rather than interrupt your analysis.

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