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Award-Winning 8th Grade Literature Tutors

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Alexa
I'm a professional writer, editor, and graduate-level researcher with 10+ years of experience helping students strengthen clarity, flow, argument structure, and self-confidence. I can support your studies as a writing coach, college essay specialist, humanities tutor, ACT, AP, and IB test prep (Hist...
Wake Forest University
AB

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Karthikeyan
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biomedical and Biological Sciences with a 3.96 GPA, and I am currently continuing my academic journey through advanced medical and graduate-level coursework. My education has given me a strong foundation not only in the life sciences but also in interdisciplinary f...
Central Washington University
Bachelor's

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Abigail
I'm an enthusiastic educator, who likes to create child based lessons. I have spent over six years dedicated to unlocking potential across all age groups. With eight years of Psychology studies, and a B.S. in Criminal Justice, I bring a structured yet engaging approach to subjects ranging from eleme...
AIU
Bachelor's

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Christine
I am a writer and recent MFA graduate in Creative Writing and Screenwriting from Antioch University, Los Angeles. I received my Honors Undergrad Bachelor of Arts Degree in English at University of Toronto, Canada. I have fiction editorial experience with the online literary journal, "Lunch Ticket,...
Antioch University-Los Angeles
MFA

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Dallas
As an online and in-person teacher of 9 years, I have a diverse array of experience working with students of all ages, levels, and nationalities. I believe learning is individual to the learner. As such, I work with students to understand their goals and then tailor my lessons to each student. I a...
Arkansas Tech University
Bachelor
Arkansas Tech University
Associate

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Deborah
I hold a Ph.D in English from Fordham University in NYC and a valid secondary school teaching license. Plus, I have over 30 years of experience teaching and tutoring students: 26 at the university level and four at the high school level. My expertise spans a wide range of subjects, English Language...
Fordham University
Doctorate (e.g., PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Catherine
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in Reading and ESL, as well as a Master's degree in Literacy and additional certifications in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Curriculum & Instruction. I've spent the last several years teaching first and second grade, and I bring a d...
Missouri State University
Master's/Graduate
Illinois State University
Bachelor

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Alexis
As a passionate educator with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northwestern State University of Louisiana, I bring over 2 years of tutoring experience in subjects such as Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology, and Pharmacology. I have experience working with kindergarten - 8th Grade childre...
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Bachelor's

Certified Tutor
I am a licensed physician from Florida who is currently changing careers. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2009 and have extensive tutoring and editing experience. While a student, I became a certified writing tutor through the Critical Writing Department. Since I completed my writ...
Nova Southeastern University
PHD, Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelors, History
University of Pennsylvania
undergraduate

Certified Tutor
Kate
I'm available to tutor biology, chemistry, physics, math from Algebra up through AP Calculus, SAT test prep, and French. I've been tutoring students in science and math for 7 years. I also spent 8 months working and studying in France, and have tutored high school and adult students in French. When ...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Masters, Environmental Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Bachelors
Top 20 English Subjects
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Jai
Calculus Tutor • +23 Subjects
I'm a recent Stanford graduate (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science), and have been working at a major Management Consulting firm for a few years now. I personally scored a 2360 (out of 2400) on the SAT and 35 on the ACT and was successful in gaining admission to several top universities. I'm looking forward to helping you improve your scores towards improving your chances at getting in to your dream school.
Jeffrey
Pre-Calculus Tutor • +29 Subjects
I am enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering PhD program at Rice University which will begin Fall 2020, and I am hoping to return to academia as a professor after earning my PhD. In the meantime, I am looking to share my passion for gaining knowledge, specifically in STEM, by educating the up and coming members of such a great field. I have experience tutoring both Calculus and Physics at Notre Dame, as well as experience as a Student Assistant for Differential Equations and Mechanics. I believe the key to learning is much deeper than learning to solve problems and that seeking knowledge is one of the best means for personal improvement.
Erika
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +36 Subjects
I am available to tutor middle and high school math, history and test prep. I have tutored math and history in the past and I previously taught a test prep course at a school in Hanoi, Vietnam. I have a lot of experience teaching all the need-to-know tricks to doing great on the SATS/ACTS! When I am not in school myself, I love rowing, equestrian and exploring my new city of Boston! I look forward to meeting and working with you soon!
Rhea
AP Statistics Tutor • +49 Subjects
I am a current student at the University of Chicago. I am working towards a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, and I am on the pre-medical track. I am extremely passionate about tutoring, and I have several years of experience tutoring students in my high school's learning center in various subjects as well as tutoring private clients in Standardized Test preparation. Given that I graduated high school recently, I have taken several Standardized Tests and high school subjects myself, so I have a comprehensive understanding of not only how to tutor these subjects and exams, but also what it is like to take them. While I have a wide range of interests and am able to tutor various subjects, I am most passionate about tutoring in Standardized Test preparation (including ACT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and AP Exams), Biology, Chemistry, Math, and Spanish. I truly believe that students should have the opportunity to learn in the way that works best for them, and I love being able to help them succeed by creating a comfortable tutoring environment in which we can best assess their particular needs and use strategies specific to them. My passion for learning drives everything that I do, and tutoring is the platform that I use to try to spread that passion to others. In my free time, you can find me playing badminton, listening to music, or baking something (hopefully) delicious.
Earnest
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +26 Subjects
I am comfortable with either setting. I'm confident that I can help you (or your student) achieve to the best of their ability, so please don't hesitate to get in touch!
Sami
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +19 Subjects
I am a Duke University graduate in Economics and Computer Science. I am currently pursuing an MBA degree at the Yale School of Management. I have worked in the financial field, both at a management consulting firm and a fortune 500 company. My hobbies include playing and coaching soccer. Hobbies: reading, writing, art, books, music
Charles
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +25 Subjects
I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best describe my tutoring style as one that adapts to each students' needs. For example, I have always tried to frame questions in a different way so that the student can better understand the question. Some students need visual representations of numbers and systems to understand them, and others benefit more by understanding the concepts behind each formula. I prefer to tutor in math and physics, and especially with real world application problems. I hope to help students improve their standardized test scores and their understanding of the math and sciences so that they can achieve their academic goals! Hobbies: art, books, running, reading, music, writing
Matthew
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +39 Subjects
I'm a highly creative person who works best with visual thinkers. Very recently graduated from Stanford University, I majored in Human Biology with a concentration in Bioinformatics and Stem Cell Science. Technical though my background may be, I am currently gigging as a singer/songwriter/composer in NYC and tackle even the most hard-science of problems with a top-down, big-picture, holistic approach. If you have a propensity to look at problems in a cross- or inter-disciplinary manner (or want to learn how to do so), I'm the tutor for you!
Zachary
Trigonometry Tutor • +35 Subjects
I am passionate about teaching and tutoring and I thoroughly enjoy helping students gain an understanding and a drive for their studies. I have a long history of working with students of all grade levels and abilities (elementary school through college), and I have a good understanding of strategies to excel in both general academics and standardized tests.
MaryAnn
Calculus Tutor • +21 Subjects
I am a published author who has enjoyed “coaching” our daughter, as she navigated through high school, college and graduate school. I mentor college juniors who are seeking careers in financial services, and I serve as a peer resource to professionals who are transitioning from private industry to the nonprofit sector. Hobbies: reading, cooking, writing, books, music, art, travel
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Many 8th graders find it challenging to move beyond plot summary and develop deeper analysis of literary elements like symbolism, tone, and character motivation. They often struggle to support interpretations with specific textual evidence and understand how authors use devices like foreshadowing or imagery to create meaning. A tutor can help students learn to ask analytical questions about texts—like "Why did the author choose this word?" or "What does this symbol represent?"—and build the habit of citing specific passages to back up their claims rather than making general statements about a book.
8th grade essays often suffer from weak thesis statements that are too vague or simply restate the prompt. Tutors work with students to craft specific, arguable thesis statements that preview their main points, then help them organize body paragraphs so each one supports a single aspect of that thesis. Through guided practice and personalized feedback, students learn the difference between a topic sentence and a thesis, how to structure evidence and analysis in each paragraph, and how to revise for clarity and coherence—skills that directly strengthen their writing across all assignments.
Close reading means carefully examining specific words, phrases, and sentences to understand how an author creates meaning—noticing things like word choice, repetition, or sentence structure that casual reading often misses. In 8th grade, students are expected to move from just understanding what happens in a story to analyzing how and why it happens. Tutors teach close reading strategies like annotating text, asking questions about word choice, and tracking patterns across a passage, which helps students find the specific evidence they need to support their literary analysis rather than relying on vague generalizations.
Many 8th graders describe characters as simply "good" or "bad" without exploring the complexity of motivation, internal conflict, or how characters change. Tutors help students ask deeper questions: What does this character want? What obstacles stand in their way? How do their choices reveal their values? By analyzing specific scenes where characters make decisions and examining dialogue and internal thoughts, students learn to see characters as complex people with believable motivations. This approach also helps them understand how character development drives plot and theme, making their literary analysis more sophisticated and insightful.
Writer's block often stems from trying to write a perfect essay on the first attempt. Tutors break the writing process into manageable steps: brainstorming ideas, creating an outline, drafting without worrying about perfection, and then revising for clarity and evidence. They teach students to separate drafting from editing—getting ideas down first, then improving organization and adding textual support in revision. With personalized feedback on their actual writing, students see exactly where their analysis needs strengthening or where they've summarized instead of analyzed, making revision feel purposeful rather than overwhelming.
8th graders often think grammar rules and writing voice are separate concerns, but they're connected—strong voice comes from making deliberate word choices and sentence structures. Tutors help students understand that varying sentence length, choosing precise verbs, and using active voice (when appropriate) all contribute to clearer, more engaging writing. Rather than focusing only on correcting errors, personalized instruction helps students see grammar as a tool for expressing their ideas more effectively. This approach keeps students from writing stiffly to "follow the rules" while still building the conventions skills they need for academic writing.
Theme is abstract, so many 8th graders either miss it entirely or confuse it with the plot. Tutors teach students to look for patterns—repeated ideas, symbols, or conflicts—that point to what the author is exploring. For example, in a story about a character overcoming fear, the tutor might ask: "What does the character learn?" "What message is the author sending?" "How do other characters or events support this idea?" By connecting specific scenes and character choices to larger ideas, students develop the analytical thinking needed to move beyond surface-level plot summary and understand what a text means, not just what happens in it.
Many 8th graders treat citations as a box to check rather than understanding why they matter—acknowledging sources and supporting claims with evidence. Tutors teach the mechanics of MLA format (in-text citations, Works Cited entries) while also showing students how to integrate quotes naturally into their writing. This means teaching them to introduce quotes with context, choose the most relevant passages, and explain how the evidence supports their point—not just dropping in a quote and moving on. With guided practice and feedback on their actual essays, students learn that proper citation isn't busywork; it's how writers build credibility and show their thinking process.
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