Powerful Paragraph Writing – LIVE – * A Week * – Full Year – Grades 5-7

In this “technical writing” (nonfiction) class using the IEW Writing philosophy, students will focus on exploring, brainstorming and writing strong, one paragraph pieces. Structures include, but are not limited to: descriptive, chronological, definition, compare/contrast, process analysis, spatial, enumerative…. As this process is happening the students will learn how to use various stylistic techniques that match the appropriate structure, as well as which transitional words work best.

Powerful Paragraphs is a good option for the student who is not yet ready to tackle the five paragraphs expected in Middle School Writing. In addition, if you have a new or a reluctant writer, you will find it is better to build confidence rather than overwhelm your child with a class they aren’t ready for. This is a one-year class.

The goal is to help students focus on making every word count by choosing colorful, powerful words that create vivid pictures using the fewest number of words possible, as well as understanding the specific differences within each structure, and applying the appropriate transitions and stylistic techniques that lend themselves to each structure.

Fifth graders who register should have completed Eva or Jonathan’s INTRO TO WRITING or a similar course.  Please email eva@writingteacher.com to se if this class is a good choice for your child. Students should expect about 2.5 – 3 hours of writing per week.

Please note this section is a larger class.  Jonathan Meola offers a smaller group version of this class.

NOTE: Registration deadline is September 15, 2021. There must be a minimum of 5 students to run this class.

Excellent class with clear and detailed guidance

Rated 5 out of 5

August 2, 2021

Review of Powerful Paragraph Writing – LIVE – * A Week * – Full Year – Grades 5-7 and Private: Asynchronous – Powerful Paragraph

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.

Adey D.