Featured By

Mona M.

Private tutor in New York, NY

Education

Graduated cum laude from Columbia University in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts in literature and writing. GPA 3.8. Winner of the Woodberry Poety Prize.

Experience

I teach students how to write strong, engaging essays and academic papers. I also teach how to read attentively and analytically. These important skills are two sides of the same coin. Unfortunately, essay writing is not a skill that is commonly taught in schools these days. Of the teachers who do try to teach it, many don't have enough essay-writing experience themselves to understand what is required. Because I've worked as a professional writer for more than twenty-five years, I have lots of hands-on experience with the writing process. That allows me to help students understand every step: how to come up with an initial idea, how to develop it and back it up, how to make the writing come alive, and finally how to polish the prose. Essay writing and academic paper writing are different forms and have different requirements. But the most essential components are the same. I show my students how to take apart an essay or thesis, just as a tailor would deconstruct a jacket, to understand how it's made. Then we talk about how to put it back together in the most effective way. For years I've been a professional writer in many different non-fiction genres. My articles have appeared in The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Nation, Art News and many other publications and websites. I've also written for 11th and 12th grade language arts textbooks that introduce students to essays, fiction, poetry and drama and help them develop advanced reading and writing skills. When I put on my hat as The College Strategist, I coach high school students through the college application process and enable them to develop compelling essays that allow their unique personalities to shine through. This is especially important today, when college admissions are highly competitive and so many students with top grades and test scores are competing for a limited number of spots. As an admissions counselor, I show each student how he or she can best showcase their particular qualities to make them stand out from the crowd. I work with students in person whenever possible, but I can also do Skype, phone and email sessions. Teens and 20-somethings usually have wonderfully surprising and interesting ways of seeing the world. I love working with them!

Subject Expertise

Literary Analysis 10th Grade Writing 11th Grade Writing 11th Grade Reading Essay Editing Fiction Writing Introduction to Fiction Introduction to Poetry Journalism 10th Grade Reading Literature Middle School Persuasive Writing Poetry Writing Shakespeare Social Studies Summer Tutoring World Literature 8th Grade Writing College Essays British Literature Art History AP English Literature and Composition American History 9th Grade Writing 9th Grade Reading 8th Grade Reading Creative Writing 7th Grade Writing 7th Grade Reading 12th Grade Writing 12th Grade Reading AP Art History English Writing American Literature

Availability

Any day after 9AM

Can Meet

Up to 20 minutes away for no additional charge

Hobbies

Writing, reading, tutoring, coaching, I am often visiting museums or attending theater, concerts or dance performances. My daughter is a student at Harvard and a great writer. Yes--I helped her learn to write well and then to navigate the college admissions process. That's how I got involved in helping students through this stressful but exciting experience.

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