Award-Winning 8th Grade AP Language Composition
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Award-Winning 8th Grade AP Language Composition Tutors

Certified Tutor
14+ years
Kevin
Salutations and Greetings,My name is Kevin Yeo and most folks address me as Kevin. I was working as an instructor last year at a small, private grade school to 12th grade which used both online and tradition classes. I have retired and now enjoy attending baseball games and helping a few select stud...
Webster University
Master of Arts, Human Resources Management
University of South Dakota
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration and Management

Certified Tutor
3+ years
Leslie
I am a graduate of Savannah State University and Armstrong Atlantic State University. I received my Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a minor in teaching and my Masters of Art in Teaching Secondary Mathematics. Since graduation, I have taught high school level math courses 6 years in Savannah,...
Armstrong Atlantic State University
Master of Arts Teaching, Mathematics Teacher Education
Savannah State University
Bachelor of Science, Mathematics

Certified Tutor
5+ years
Joshua
I recently graduated from Columbia University in New York City, where I majored in Political Science and concentrated (minored) in Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies. At Columbia, I graduated with a 3.72 GPA and made the Dean's List six semesters in a row. Upon graduating, I was awarde...
Columbia University in the City of New York
Current Undergrad, Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies

Certified Tutor
Brian
I'm a seasoned educator who has been tutoring privately and professionally since I was undergraduate student at North Carolina State University. After taking 2+ years off (of tutoring) to do some adjunct teaching at a local college, I'm looking forward to once again working with K-12 students to pro...
Kaplan University
Master of Science, Education
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Bachelor in Arts, English

Certified Tutor
10+ years
Ari
I'm Ari, a third-year medical student on a research year. I have tutored for Varsity since 2016, and have helped over 70 students succeed on the MCAT and USMLE Step 1! I have a passion for teaching and helping make science clear.I scored in the 97th percentile on both the MCAT and USMLE Step 1, and ...
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Bachelor of Science, Cell and Molecular Biology

Certified Tutor
4+ years
Victoria
I was graduated from Bryn Mawr College in May 2020 with a dual Bachelor's degree in French and History. I have been tutoring and teaching students from elementary to college age in French and English for nearly seven years. I have worked as a private tutor for American students, as well as French st...
Bryn Mawr College
Bachelor in Arts, French

Certified Tutor
10+ years
Elease
Hello, My name is Elease. I am a 24 year old student. I am going to school to obtain my Bachelor's in Human Resources Management. I have always enjoyed math subjects, especially algebra. I love to encourage and help others.
Metropolitan State University
Current Undergrad, Human Resources Management

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Raena
I received by Bachelor of Arts from College of Charleston with a major in Creative Writing and a minor in Studio Art. I went on to receive my Masters in Fine Arts in Poetry from The Ohio State University, where I taught English classes focused in composition, rhetoric, analytical writing, and creati...
The Ohio State University
Master of Fine Arts, Creative Writing
College of Charleston
Bachelor in Arts, English

Certified Tutor
Meghan
I am passionate about helping students find what makes them feel successful, inside or outside of the classroom. I have experience in special education and law, have spent over a decade in the classroom, and love being able to share my experiences to help students build their own success toolkits fo...
Kansas State University
Masters in Education, Special Education
Kansas State University
Bachelor of Science, High School Teaching

Certified Tutor
Calvin
I like to think of tutoring sessions as learning learning. It's never too late to start good habits, and it's amazing how simple and rewarding it is to approach one's studies in the right way. For my part, I like to keep things light but productive; I find that students learn the best when they're h...
New York University
Bachelor in Arts, Film Studies
Top 20 English Subjects
Meet Our Expert Tutors
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Amna
Algebra Tutor • +76 Subjects
I'm a fourth-year medical student with a strong background in tutoring and a passion for helping students reach their full potential. Over the years, I've worked with learners of all ages, from elementary school students building foundational skills to high schoolers preparing for the SAT and ACT. I enjoy breaking down complex ideas into simple, understandable concepts and tailoring my approach to match each student's learning style.I received my undergraduate degree in Biology from Adelphi University, and I'm currently completing my medical degree. My academic journey has helped me develop a deep understanding of the sciences, as well as the dedication and time management skills needed to succeed, skills I love sharing with my students.While I tutor a wide range of subjects, I'm especially passionate about science and test prep. I find it incredibly rewarding to help students gain confidence in subjects they once found intimidating and to see their progress over time.My teaching philosophy is rooted in patience, encouragement, and active engagement. I strive to create a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and excited to learn. Outside of academics, I enjoy spending time at the gym, relaxing with family and friends, and exploring new recipes in the kitchen as I grow my love for cooking.
Brooke
Algebra Tutor • +19 Subjects
Since graduating with my PhD in Nuclear Physics from the University of California, Davis in 2009, I have spent 7 years as a community college physics professor. As a community college graduate myself, I understand the challenges facing students and I am a passionate teacher. I am currently taking a year in Cambridge to complete a Master's degree in the Harvard Graduate School of Education to further improve my skills. As a tutor, physics is my favorite topic, but I am also enthusiastic about math as well as GRE test prep. From my experience in the classroom, I have discovered that it's very important to tailor the learning experience to each student. Every student is different and will benefit from varied methods. In general it's important to minimize lecturing and to give a student the opportunity to try and succeed at problems with gentle guidance. Outside of teaching, my interests are diverse. I enjoy reading, movies, CrossFit, theater, and dancing, specifically Salsa and Swing.
Debra
PHR - Professional in Human Resources Tutor • +3 Subjects
A little about me....I've been in the Human Resource professional for over 20 years working with large, mid-sized and small companies in various industries to include manufacturing, financial services, non - profit sector, transportation, and education.Prior to joining Varsity Tutors, I worked in HR management positions with Detroit News (Gannett), DHL and DeVry Education Group.I earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Central Michigan University with a major in Human Resource Management and MS in Human Resource Management from Keller Graduate School of Management. I've been in your shoes... I earned my Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). Also, I'm a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and the Northern Illinois Human Resource Council.Looking forward to helping you on your journey toward HR certification!
Judah
Clinical Psychology Tutor • +43 Subjects
I have a Bachelors in Psychology, and am working on a Masters. Additionally, I have years of experience in instructional settings, both in grade school presentations and in extracurricular activities.
Brian
Algebra Tutor • +7 Subjects
I enjoy teaching math and science, and I have been an instructor at Cincinnati State College since 2010. Much of my educational background has been in Psychology and Statistics. I graduated with a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Ohio State, Masters degrees in Psychology from University of Dayton and Ball State University, and a PhD in Psychology from Walden University. Currently I work as a Marketing Analyst & Statistician. I believe in making learning fun and interesting, and showing how it can apply to real life. My students describe me as being very clear, patient, and willing to go the extra mile to help them learn. At home I have a wife, a 12-year old stepson, and a 1-year old baby girl. In my spare time I enjoy movies, music, motorcycles. Although I have been to a lot of colleges, my heart is still with Ohio State and the Dayton Flyers.
Brittnee
Conversational Spanish Tutor • +25 Subjects
My passion for the Spanish language began about seven years ago when I was still in high school. It is something I wanted to pursue farther in my life and I have achieved that goal. I have a year experience tutoring university students and non traditional university students with beginning to intermediate/advanced Spanish. It is rewarding when students return to tell me that they did well on a quiz or exam. This was a paid position that I earned, and I had to be appointed and approved by several professors to get the job that I did. This means my grades in Spanish were exceptional. I would love to work with students of any age and would be willing to adapt to different learning styles.As far as other experience goes, I lived and studied in Salamanca, Spain for three months as well as lived and studied in Samara, Monteverde, and Buena Vista, Costa Rica for two weeks. I have also traveled to other Spanish speaking countries such as Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. I have a strong passion for the language and everyday I strive to be better than I was yesterday. Living in these foreign countries helped me learn faster and even more than if I would have stayed in the States, because being forced to speak the language and make mistakes is all part of the learning process and if mistakes aren't made, neither is progress.What makes me an excellent tutor aside from my fluency in the language is my ability to be flexible. I don't have a certain "style" of tutoring, because that may not work for all students. Instead, I ask the students how they would like to best and then I adapt my teaching ways to what I believe they will benefit from the most.
Jake
10th Grade Math Tutor • +67 Subjects
Hey! My name is Jake, I just graduated from Lehigh University with a B.A. in Computer Science and a minor in Theatre. In the fall, I'll be attending law school at Columbia Law, and I hope to pursue cybersecurity law while I'm there. I have a ton of experience tutoring in many different areas, however my specific specialty areas are Computer Science, Math (up to Calculus 2), and test prep. I love theatre, music, and video games, and I love learning new stuff!
Caroline
10th Grade Reading Tutor • +48 Subjects
I'm a great tutor because I am warm, engaging, funny and I genuinely love to learn. I am good at breaking down larger concepts into more understandable narratives to impart to my students, and I am very astute when it comes to sensing what style of and approach to tutoring is most suited to the student I am working with. I come from a family of teachers and writers, and I love to help students who are struggling academically to re-discover the magic and beauty of learning. It's what makes life worth living!
Kristen
Adult ESL/ELL Tutor • +11 Subjects
I began tutoring in Barcelona, Spain after taking an ESL certification course there. I have taught students of all ages; children, teenagers and adults. I enjoy teaching but I especially love tutoring because I like working one on one with students which allows me to really assess each student's needs and plan each lesson to their specific needs.When I am not tutoring I enjoy exercising, especially kickboxing. I love to travel and meet people from all over the world. I also enjoy reading and spending time with friends.
Ryan
College English Tutor • +24 Subjects
I am a graduate of the University of Oregon where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Romance Languages (French and Spanish) with a minor in European Studies and graduated with honors. Since graduation, I have traveled extensively, living in Northern Ireland, France and Germany for 7 years altogether. Four of those years were spent in Berlin where I learned German studying Philosophy and working as a tour guide. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about Foreign Languages.In my experience helping students of all ages, ranging from helping with homework and test prep for school to the late bloomer looking to acquire further education after their "formal" education has ended, my goal is to make the student comfortable and empower them giving them the confidence in their own abilities to achieve. I am a firm proponent of education believing it to be absolutely necessary for an improved quality of life, and I try to impart this appreciation to all of my students. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two dogs, reading, watching all kinds of sports, jogging, and most of all writing songs, singing, and playing guitar and piano in my band.
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. While AP Language and Composition is traditionally a 10th or 11th grade course, some advanced 8th graders are ready for the rigor. Success depends on your reading comprehension skills, ability to write persuasive essays, and comfort analyzing complex texts. If you're consistently performing at an advanced level in your current English class and enjoy reading challenging material, you may be prepared. A tutor can assess your readiness and help you bridge any gaps in foundational skills before diving into AP-level content.
Rhetorical analysis requires you to move beyond understanding what a text says to understanding how and why it says it. You need to identify techniques like ethos, pathos, and logos, then explain their effect on the audience—this meta-analytical thinking is new for many students. The challenge intensifies because you're working with unfamiliar texts under timed conditions, leaving little room for deep preparation. Tutors can help you develop a systematic approach to breaking down arguments, recognizing patterns in rhetoric across different texts, and building the speed and confidence you need for the exam.
Expectations should be realistic and based on your current writing level. The AP exam is scored 1-5, with a 3 considered passing. Many 8th graders taking this course are aiming to demonstrate college-readiness skills rather than achieve a perfect 5. Focus on consistent improvement throughout your preparation rather than setting a fixed score target. Working with a tutor can help you identify which essay types (argument, rhetorical analysis, or synthesis) are your strengths and which need development, allowing you to set meaningful milestones along the way.
Time management is one of the biggest challenges students face. You typically have 40 minutes per essay, which means you need to spend roughly 5 minutes planning, 30 minutes writing, and 5 minutes reviewing. A practical approach is developing a quick outlining system so you're not staring at a blank page. Practice under actual time constraints regularly—this builds muscle memory and helps you internalize pacing. Tutors can guide you through timed practice sessions, help you identify where you're losing time, and teach you which shortcuts (like template phrases or pre-planned examples) actually work without sacrificing quality.
The synthesis essay requires you to integrate multiple sources to support your own argument—the key word is integration, not just listing. Many students either ignore sources or let them dominate their essay. The balance you're aiming for is using sources as evidence for your claims while maintaining your own voice and argument. You should aim to cite 3-4 sources substantively, paraphrasing or quoting strategically rather than relying on long block quotes. A tutor can show you how to introduce sources smoothly, embed citations naturally, and ensure each source strengthens rather than weakens your argument.
The argument essay asks you to take a position on an issue and defend it using reasoning and evidence—you're making a claim and proving it. The rhetorical analysis essay asks you to examine how an author constructs an argument to persuade an audience—you're analyzing their techniques, not taking your own stance. This distinction trips up many students because both involve persuasion, but in the argument essay, you're the persuader, while in rhetorical analysis, you're the detective examining someone else's persuasion strategy. Understanding this difference is foundational, and tutors can help you practice identifying which task you're being asked to perform and what skills each one requires.
Consistency matters more than frequency. Taking one full practice exam every 2-3 weeks allows you to measure progress while leaving time between attempts to work on weak areas you've identified. Early in your prep, you might focus on individual essay types rather than full exams, allowing you to build skills before combining them. As exam day approaches (within 4-6 weeks), increase to one full-length exam per week. Between practice tests, work on targeted drills for the skills that need improvement. Tutors can help you analyze your practice test results to pinpoint exactly what's holding back your score—whether it's thesis clarity, evidence selection, or pacing—so your practice time is strategic rather than just repetitive.
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