Essay Intensive – YES – INTENSIVE! – Tuesday – Spring 2024 – 10 Weeks – Grades 7 – 11
Tuesday, March 26 2024 @ 11:00AM – Tuesday, June 25 2024 @ 12:30PM EDT
Instructor:
Eva Goldstein-MeolaInstructor Email:
eva@opententacademy.comGrade/Level:
7 – 11Day of Week:
TuesdayClass Times:
11:00AM – 12:30PM (ET)Terms/Semesters:
Spring 2024AP / Honors / NCAA Approved
NCAA Approved Course
This class is INTENSIVE. Let me say that again – INTENSIVE!
For students to be successful in academics, high school and college, it is imperative that they understand how to write an essay. In this class, students will learn how to brainstorm, write, add in various writing techniques and editing a Critique. Expository, Persuasive, Compare/Contrast and Narrative Essay.
Students will learn the differences between all five essays.
Students will learn the elements of an introductory paragraph.
Students will learn the elements of a concluding paragraph.
Students will learn how to write body paragraphs.
Students will learn a variety of stylistic techniques to enhance their writing.
Students should come to this class with writing experience. This is NOT a “one-stop” writing class. This class will take that experience and help perfect it for high school and college writing.
This class is INTENSIVE. It needs to be understood that students will be writing for at least 5 hours a week. This is what it takes to write a GOOD essay.
1 hour brainstorming
2 hours writing
2 hours editing
This is at least an hour of focused writing a day – Monday through Friday.
If students want to improve – and feel comfortable with writing – this is the dedication, they need.
Finally, this class is intended to TEACH them how to write an essay; however, it needs to be said, they will need additional practice after this class to feel comfortable with each essay and the process.
Students are expected to be present in class, participating actively and asking questions when they arise.
Students are expected to USE their CLASS NOTES (provided by instructor) while writing.
Students are expected to USE their ASSIGNMENT PLANNERS while writing.
Students are expected to USE their COMPOSITION CHECKLIST while editing.
Homework is given at the end of each class session. It is expected that students work on their assignment 15 – 30 minutes daily between class sessions depending on the student’s focus and speed.
High School Students can take .5 (1/2) credit for English or Elective.
NOTE: This class must reach the minimum of five students by March 5, 2024 to run. If we do not reach this minimum, parents will be contacted via email.
Excellent class with clear and detailed guidance
I believe my rising 7th grader has greatly benefited from taking the summer Powerful Paragraphs class from Eva. There were precise and detailed instructions on brainstorming, constructing varied and expressive sentences, and usage of transitional phrases, all in the context of the different writing structures they studied each week. The weekly reviews of past lessons and the incremental addition of new stylistic techniques were great reinforcement for the concepts being thoughts. It was also useful to have the numerous sample writings provided for reference with each lesson. Through out the class, they kids had a growing list of “banned” words to encourage them to choose more expressive and nuanced alternatives (started with one or two and grew to maybe ~15). Overall, a great class for my child who is still in the early stages of honing his essay writing skills.
Unsung Heroes
My daughter loved learning about “unsung heroes” of the Civil Rights Movement: individuals who deserve recognition, but receive little in the history books. Ms. Eva ties in historical background information extremely well to the book to help understand the bigger picture to further appreciate Claudette Colvin’s courage.
10 out of 10!
My son just finished ESSAY INTENSIVE, a 10-week course focusing on Critique Writing, Expository Essays, Persuasive Essays, Compare/Contrast Essays and Narrative Essays.
I really appreciate what you have accomplished in the course of 10 weeks!
What a change I saw in my son’s writing.
He would never admit it, but I think that he even likes writing a little now that he understands how to write!
As with our original OTA class, this experience has been incredible!
Forget 5 Stars – it is a 10 out of 10 in my book.
Eva’s Literature Classes are Amazing!
All of Eva’s Literature Classes are amazing.
My daughter MOST RECENTLY loved learning about “unsung heroes” of the Civil Rights Movement: individuals who deserve recognition, but receive little in the history books. Ms. Eva ties in historical background information extremely well to the book to help understand the bigger picture to further appreciate Claudette Colvin’s courage.
She has taken HIDDEN FIGURES, TWICE TOWARDS JUSTICE, AMERICAN GIRLS, WONDER, FISH IN A TREE, TO HOPE AND BACK and REFUGEE with Eva.
Each class was better than the one before!
Do not miss out on Eva’s literature classes!
This class should be mandatory!
I signed up my 8th grader for this class because I wanted him to start thinking about his future.
What I didn’t expect is him initiating meaningful discussions about our cost of living inflation, budgeting, work-life balance etc.
My son will be attending a college prep high school this fall and has already told me he won’t “going to be an idiot who blows over $100 a month on lattes at the cafeteria”.
I am so thankful for this class.
It really got my son thinking about the future.
