Award-Winning Writing Tutors serving Des Moines, IA

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Award-Winning Writing Tutors serving Des Moines, IA

Jessica

Certified Tutor

Jessica

PHD, Medicine
Jessica's other Tutor Subjects
College Algebra
Calculus
Algebra
Honors Chemistry

Strong writing starts with having something specific to say and a clear reason for saying it — the mechanics follow from there. Jessica earned her writing certification through Penn's selective Critical Writing program as a freshman, then spent years tutoring peers on everything from argumentative e...

Education

Nova Southeastern University

PHD, Medicine

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelors, History

University of Pennsylvania

undergraduate

Test Scores
SAT
1540
Erika

Certified Tutor

Erika

Master of Public Policy, Public Policy
Erika's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

Getting ideas onto the page is often the hardest part, and Erika treats outlining and drafting as real skills worth practicing — not just steps to rush through before "the real writing" starts. Her policy school training required writing concise, evidence-driven arguments under tight deadlines, a di...

Education

Harvard University

Master of Public Policy, Public Policy

Test Scores
ACT
32
Sharon

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Sharon

Master of Science, Journalism
Sharon's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

Sharon approaches writing as a craft with learnable moves: how to build a thesis that actually argues something, how to transition between ideas without losing a reader, how to revise a draft into something sharp. Her background spans policy writing at the University of Chicago and graduate-level jo...

Education

Columbia University in the City of New York

Master of Science, Journalism

University of Chicago

Bachelor in Arts

Test Scores
SAT
1550
MaryAnn

Certified Tutor

13+ years

MaryAnn

Bachelor of Science, English, Psychology
MaryAnn's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
SAT Reading
SAT Writing and Language

As a published author, MaryAnn knows that strong writing starts with a clear argument and a willingness to revise — not with a perfect first draft. She teaches the mechanics of thesis development, paragraph transitions, and evidence integration, whether the assignment is a five-paragraph essay or a ...

Education

University of Pittsburgh

Bachelor of Science, English, Psychology

Test Scores
SAT
1520
Tiffany

Certified Tutor

5+ years

Tiffany

Juris Doctor, Legal Studies
Tiffany's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Calculus
Algebra
Elementary School Math

Clear writing starts with clear thinking, and Tiffany treats every writing session as a chance to untangle what a student actually wants to say before worrying about how to say it. Her training in legal writing — where precision and structure aren't optional — gives her a practical framework for tea...

Education

University of Notre Dame

Bachelor in Business Administration, Accounting

University of Chicago

Juris Doctor, Legal Studies

Test Scores
SAT
1440
ACT
31
Justin

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Justin

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

Strong writing starts with understanding that a first draft is a thinking tool, not a finished product. Justin's PhD in English and ten years of teaching composition have given him a systematic approach to the entire writing process — from generating a workable thesis to structuring body paragraphs ...

Education

University of South Carolina

Bachelor in Arts, English

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Doctor of Philosophy, English

Test Scores
SAT
1530
Benjamin

Certified Tutor

5+ years

Benjamin

Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics (minor: Innovation and Entrepreneurship)
Benjamin's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
Trigonometry
Middle School Math
Calculus

Benjamin treats writing as an exercise in structured thinking: before worrying about word choice or style, he tackles the architecture of an argument — what's the claim, what's the evidence, and does each paragraph earn its place? His economics and finance training at Notre Dame drilled this kind of...

Education

University of Notre Dame

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

Test Scores
Perfect Score
ACT
36
Molly

Certified Tutor

Molly

Master of Science in Education
Molly's other Tutor Subjects
1st-8th Grade Writing
1st-8th Grade math
1st-8th Grade Reading
Pre-Algebra

Good writing instruction doesn't start with red ink on a finished draft — it starts with how a student organizes their thinking before they type a word. Molly teaches outlining, thesis development, and paragraph architecture from elementary through adult professional writing, drawing on her own expe...

Education

Northwestern University

Master of Science in Education

Columbia University in the City of New York

Bachelor in Arts, History

Test Scores
SAT
1480
Andrew

Certified Tutor

Andrew

Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature and Theater and Performance Studies
Andrew's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
PSAT Writing Skills
SAT Reading

The hardest part of writing isn't grammar — it's figuring out what you actually want to say and then organizing it so a reader follows. Andrew tackles that problem head-on, walking students through outlining, crafting clear thesis statements, and building body paragraphs that develop a single idea w...

Education

University of Chicago

Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature and Theater and Performance Studies

Test Scores
SAT
1480
ACT
32
Michael

Certified Tutor

Michael

Current Grad Student, Medical Doctor
Michael's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
AP Biology
Chemistry

Clarity in writing comes from knowing what you actually want to say before worrying about how to say it. Michael spent years at Yeshiva College's Writing Center teaching students to outline their arguments, eliminate filler, and sharpen their prose at the sentence level. Whether the assignment is a ...

Education

Yeshiva University

Bachelors, Biology, General

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Current Grad Student, Medical Doctor

Test Scores
ACT
34

Nearby Writing Tutors

Frequently Asked Questions

Writing tutors provide personalized feedback on every stage of your writing—from brainstorming and thesis development to drafting and revision. They help you strengthen your arguments, organize ideas logically, and develop your unique voice. With one-on-one instruction, you'll learn strategies for tackling different essay types, whether it's persuasive, analytical, or creative writing.

Writer's block is common, and tutors can help you work through it using proven strategies like freewriting, outlining, and breaking essays into manageable sections. They'll help you identify whether you're stuck on organization, ideas, or just getting started—then provide targeted techniques to get your writing flowing. Many students find that talking through their ideas with a tutor helps clarify their thinking and overcome the initial hurdle.

Both matter, but they serve different purposes. Grammar is the foundation that makes your writing clear and professional, while style is what makes your voice distinctive and engaging. A writing tutor helps you master both by teaching grammar rules in context and showing you how to apply them while developing your authentic voice. You'll learn that strong writing combines technical correctness with compelling expression.

Absolutely. Citation formatting can be confusing, but tutors break down the specific requirements for MLA, APA, Chicago, and other styles. They'll teach you not just the rules, but why citations matter for academic integrity and how to apply them consistently throughout your paper. You'll learn to format everything from in-text citations to works cited pages correctly.

Literary analysis tutors teach you how to move beyond plot summary to examine themes, symbolism, characterization, and author's purpose. They help you develop strong thesis statements about literature and support them with textual evidence. Through guided discussion and practice, you'll learn to read critically and write analytical essays that demonstrate deep understanding of texts.

Revision is more than just fixing typos—it's about rethinking your ideas, reorganizing for clarity, and strengthening your arguments. Tutors teach you a systematic revision process: reviewing for big-picture issues first (thesis, organization, evidence), then tackling sentence-level concerns like word choice and grammar. You'll learn to read your work with fresh eyes and make intentional changes that improve your writing significantly.

Your first session is about understanding your writing goals and challenges. A tutor will likely ask about current assignments, past writing feedback, and areas where you want to improve. You might bring a piece of writing to discuss, or work through a writing exercise together. This helps the tutor understand your strengths and create a personalized plan to help you grow as a writer.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert writing tutors who understand the Des Moines area and work with students at all levels—from middle school through college. You can specify your needs, whether you're preparing for standardized writing tests, working on specific essay assignments, or developing overall writing skills. The matching process ensures you get a tutor whose expertise aligns with your goals.

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