by Elaine Sigal
If there is one area of education that I often get calls about from Home Schooling Parents, it is on the Art of Writing. How does a parent “grade” a writing assignment? How does a parent know what an application essay for colleges should be? What is the difference between an essay for a “teacher”, an AP essay and a college application essay? Oh, don’t forget the SAT essay. All of these are different and are “graded” differently. What do you do?
I believe that it is my job to help not only students but parents who want to help their children understand different types of writing. I work with parents who are home schooling all the time. Recently, one of my students gave me an excellent essay – only she was applying to an Ivy League school. I told her that she might win an essay contest for description, but it would keep her out of her first choice school. She didn’t answer the question! Her mom thought it was magnificent. It was. However, it was not a college application essay – especially for an Ivy!!! How does one know?? I know. I have been doing this type of work for over 40 years. This is one area of education where experience really does matter.
My last article for HERD was about respecting Home Schooled parents and why I believe that parents can make good teachers. Writing is one area where I think parents need help. I have seen professional writers get these different types of essays wrong. Can you list the differences among the above mentioned four types of essays? Do you know what the readers are expecting to see? Are you trying to follow a formula that may or may not exist?
Ask for help, Parents. Do you children and yourselves a favor on this one.
Anyone want to disagree?
Elaine received her BA from The College of New Jersey and her MA in English from Villanova University. She is licensed to teach English, Speech and Theater in two states. Elaine founded and ran a classroom based 'brick and mortar' educational company from 1995 - 2009. Elaine has significant experience matching learners to the appropriate educators and has a large available network in the educational arena. Elaine also taught English on the university level, created adult education courses, managed a credit recovery program, managed all areas of supplemental development, and established a 501c3. She has over 35 years of experience in the education field.
Mindlaunch.com - is an online educational resource offering individual and group lessons tailored to any student’s needs at his/her convenience and safety, taught by experienced U.S. licensed teachers through state-of-the-art interactive web tools, such as live web video. Mindlaunch will match the best teacher to the right student based on an in-depth survey filled out by the student. Teachers undergo a rigorous background inquiry with only the best chosen to join the Mindlaunch staff. All sessions are recorded and archived for student review and quality assurance.
If there is one area of education that I often get calls about from Home Schooling Parents, it is on the Art of Writing. How does a parent “grade” a writing assignment? How does a parent know what an application essay for colleges should be? What is the difference between an essay for a “teacher”, an AP essay and a college application essay? Oh, don’t forget the SAT essay. All of these are different and are “graded” differently. What do you do?
I believe that it is my job to help not only students but parents who want to help their children understand different types of writing. I work with parents who are home schooling all the time. Recently, one of my students gave me an excellent essay – only she was applying to an Ivy League school. I told her that she might win an essay contest for description, but it would keep her out of her first choice school. She didn’t answer the question! Her mom thought it was magnificent. It was. However, it was not a college application essay – especially for an Ivy!!! How does one know?? I know. I have been doing this type of work for over 40 years. This is one area of education where experience really does matter.
My last article for HERD was about respecting Home Schooled parents and why I believe that parents can make good teachers. Writing is one area where I think parents need help. I have seen professional writers get these different types of essays wrong. Can you list the differences among the above mentioned four types of essays? Do you know what the readers are expecting to see? Are you trying to follow a formula that may or may not exist?
Ask for help, Parents. Do you children and yourselves a favor on this one.
Anyone want to disagree?
Elaine received her BA from The College of New Jersey and her MA in English from Villanova University. She is licensed to teach English, Speech and Theater in two states. Elaine founded and ran a classroom based 'brick and mortar' educational company from 1995 - 2009. Elaine has significant experience matching learners to the appropriate educators and has a large available network in the educational arena. Elaine also taught English on the university level, created adult education courses, managed a credit recovery program, managed all areas of supplemental development, and established a 501c3. She has over 35 years of experience in the education field.
Mindlaunch.com - is an online educational resource offering individual and group lessons tailored to any student’s needs at his/her convenience and safety, taught by experienced U.S. licensed teachers through state-of-the-art interactive web tools, such as live web video. Mindlaunch will match the best teacher to the right student based on an in-depth survey filled out by the student. Teachers undergo a rigorous background inquiry with only the best chosen to join the Mindlaunch staff. All sessions are recorded and archived for student review and quality assurance.
