Tips for Writing: Why Writing Tutors Aren’t Just for Kids

Think tutors are just for kids? From professional emails to cover letters, learning how to write well will carry you far through life – so if you’re not confident in your skills, it may be worth looking into. Check out these tips for writing from Evanston, IL and online tutor Rachel M.:

As a college student with three years of private tutoring under my belt, I can speak from experience when I say that writing isn’t what it used to be. Students learn how to type using an iPad and “Swyping,” their schools provide free computer equipment to take notes during class, and they take classes on computer skills and programming in lieu of ever learning cursive.

Certainly the times have changed for writers in a digital climate, but what of the challenges that face writers today? As a private tutor with a specific focus on English and ESL, I meet many students who struggle with writing skills. Many are looking to improve their skills for a definite purpose, such as a new job opportunity or getting into college. Some students want to improve their writing but have a less certain goal in mind about how to use their desired skillset. The bottom line is, writing is the most effective medium of communication and developing this skill can be incredibly useful in attaining one’s professional and personal life goals.

Some tips for writing that I most readily tell students are:

1. Get organized. In other words, think about the bigger picture. It helps if you can identify an avenue for how you will use your writing in the future. This organization will help you get a clearer picture of your short-term and long-term goals. For sure, the method of how you develop your writing skill will ultimately depend upon how you plan to use this tool. If you want a job or a new career, then your starting point might be editing your resume and cover letters. Your emails might need editing as well; sending out emails with spelling errors to a potential teacher, advisor, or hiring manager will immediately make the wrong impression, when you actually did nothing wrong except forget to edit yourself. Identify your weak areas and then work with your tutor to decide on how to achieve your future goals.