Award-Winning High School Level American Literature Tutors

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Award-Winning High School Level American Literature Tutors

Benjamin

Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics (minor: Innovation and Entrepreneurship)
5+ years of tutoring

I am a 2023 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a Finance/Economics major and a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. I am a passionate student in the math and business realms, as I enjo...

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University of Notre Dame

Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics (minor: Innovation and Entrepreneurship)

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Justin

Doctor of Philosophy, Computational Mathematics
9+ years of tutoring

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 a...

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Washington University in St. Louis

Bachelor's in Physics and Mathematics

University of Chicago

Doctor of Philosophy, Computational Mathematics

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Justin

Doctor of Philosophy, English
8+ years of tutoring

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 t...

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University of South Carolina

Bachelor in Arts, English

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Doctor of Philosophy, English

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Sarah

Bachelor of Economics, Economics
9+ years of tutoring

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 class...

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Northwestern University

Bachelor of Economics, Economics

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Karishma

Bachelor in Arts
1+ years of tutoring

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 wi...

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Northwestern University

Bachelor in Arts

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Emily

Master of Public Health (MPH), concentration in Epidemiology and Global Health
9+ years of tutoring

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 a...

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Yale University

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

Yale School of Public Health

Master in Public Health, Public Health

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Brittney

Master of Arts, English
8+ years of tutoring

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 forw...

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Grand Valley State University

Master of Arts, English

Princeton University

B.A. in Comparative Literature

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Jennifer

Master of Arts Teaching, Language Arts Teacher Education
5+ years of tutoring

I am thrilled to be a part of this platform where we can work together to further our educational pursuits. Currently, I am a Teacher Resident at the NYU Accelerated MAT program in Secondary English E...

Education & Certificates

New York University

Master of Arts Teaching, Language Arts Teacher Education

Mcgill University

Bachelor in Arts, English

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Maddy

B.A. in American History and Literature (minor in Theater)
1+ years of tutoring

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 lite...

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Harvard University

B.A. in American History and Literature (minor in Theater)

Connor

Master of Arts, Biomedical Sciences
6+ years of tutoring

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 cour...

Education & Certificates

Loyola University-Chicago

Master of Arts, Biomedical Sciences

University of Notre Dame

Bachelor of Science

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Meet Our Expert Tutors

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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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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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Kevin

AP Statistics Tutor • +47 Subjects

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 summer tutoring program to ensure that students retained information and were prepared for the upcoming year. I am most passionate about tutoring Political Science, History, and Math, with significant experience in helping students in each of these subject areas. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and playing the bass. Hobbies: art, reading, writing, books, music

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Jessica

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +45 Subjects

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 across age groups. I have worked in an academic setting with students age three through seventeen, and I have tutored as a volunteer and in a more formal position for a multitude of organizations.

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Juliet

Middle School Math Tutor • +33 Subjects

I'm an upstate NY based tutor, Harvard prefrosh and Interlochen Alumnus. I'm here to make learning simple, engaging, and sometimes (shocking I know) even fun! In all seriousness I think that learning should always be fun, and I'm here to get you there. I am here help out with essays, applications, self presentation, and visual art/drawing. I have a deep love of language, be it comprehension, literature or reading. I also tutor high school Algebra 1 and Geometry. Hobbies: books, music, art, nature, reading, writing

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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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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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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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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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Frequently Asked Questions

High school American Literature students often struggle with close reading and textual analysis—identifying how authors use symbolism, tone, and narrative technique to develop themes. Many students also find it challenging to move beyond plot summary to deeper literary interpretation, especially when analyzing complex works like The Great Gatsby, Beloved, or Their Eyes Were Watching God. Additionally, students frequently struggle with thesis development for literary essays, particularly when asked to make original arguments supported by specific textual evidence rather than relying on general observations about a text.

A tutor can guide you through the process of moving from a topic to a debatable argument by asking probing questions about what you notice in the text and why it matters. Rather than accepting surface-level observations, they help you identify patterns in an author's word choice, imagery, or character development, then craft a thesis that makes a specific claim about how these elements create meaning. Tutors also provide feedback on whether your thesis is arguable (not just factual) and whether it's specific enough to be supported by textual evidence throughout your essay.

Valid interpretations of symbolism are grounded in textual evidence and repeated patterns within the work. A tutor can help you distinguish between supported interpretations and over-reading by teaching you to ask: Does this symbol appear multiple times? What specific details in the text support this meaning? How does this interpretation connect to the author's larger themes or historical context? For example, in The Great Gatsby, the green light's symbolism is valid because Fitzgerald references it repeatedly and it connects to Gatsby's yearning and the American Dream—not because you think green represents hope in general.

Start by checking that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence connected to your thesis, then verify that every claim is supported by specific textual evidence (quotes or paraphrases with page numbers). Next, look for places where you've summarized plot instead of analyzing how the author's choices create meaning—these sections should be cut or condensed. Finally, examine your transitions between ideas and ensure your conclusion goes beyond restating your thesis by explaining the significance of your analysis. A tutor can review your drafts and identify which revisions will have the biggest impact on strengthening your argument.

Historical context is crucial for understanding why authors made specific choices and what their work meant to contemporary readers. For instance, understanding the Harlem Renaissance helps explain the themes of identity and cultural pride in works by Langston Hughes or Zora Neale Hurston, while knowing about the Civil War and Reconstruction deepens your analysis of works like Beloved. A tutor can help you research relevant historical background and teach you how to weave context into your analysis without letting it overshadow close reading of the text itself—the goal is to use history to illuminate the author's choices, not to replace textual analysis with historical summary.

Rather than discussing one text completely, then moving to the next, organize your essay by theme or literary technique so you're comparing the authors' approaches directly. For example, if comparing how Fitzgerald and Hemingway portray the American experience, you might structure paragraphs around themes like disillusionment, masculinity, or the past's hold on the present—with evidence from both authors in each section. A tutor can help you identify meaningful points of comparison (not just surface similarities) and ensure your thesis makes a clear argument about what the comparison reveals, such as how different authors responded to the same historical moment or how their contrasting styles shape their themes.

In MLA format, in-text citations for literature include the author's last name and page number in parentheses: (Fitzgerald 47). If you're citing poetry or drama, use line numbers instead of page numbers. When you quote multiple lines of poetry, use a forward slash with spaces to show line breaks: (Hughes 1-2). For your Works Cited page, list the edition you actually used, since different editions have different page numbers—this matters because your reader needs to find your exact quotes. A tutor can review your citations to ensure consistency and catch common errors like forgetting page numbers or misformatting titles.

Close reading means examining specific word choices, sentence structure, imagery, and tone to understand how an author creates meaning—not just understanding what happens in the plot. To practice, choose a short passage and ask yourself: Why did the author choose this particular word over a synonym? How does the sentence structure affect the pacing or emphasis? What images or patterns appear here and elsewhere in the text? A tutor can model this process with you on specific passages, teaching you to slow down and notice details you might otherwise miss, then help you connect those observations to larger themes and your essay arguments.

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