What writing program does a great job introducing essay-writing?

[Gwen in VA]

I realized yesterday that what we are doing with writing for my 9th grader is failing misterably. :glare:

In the past year he has worked through:
IEW C
WriteShop 2
and done numerous other writing for history

I thought he was ready for The Lively Art of Writing, but he is showing me in many many ways that this book is WAY over his head right now.

I need a simple easy gentle this-is-how-to-do-an-essay guide. Would "The Elegant Essay" be appropriate?

None of my kids particlarly like Mr. Pudewa, so I am reluctant to get The High School Essay Intensive, but would it be more what I am looking for? (If it is, ds will just have to suffer through!)

Is there anything else out there that would provide a gentle easy approach to essay-writing?

Thank you! I so appreciate having a forum to ask this question knowing that all kinds of experts are out there to help! :001_smile:

[Anna]

"The Lively Art of Writing" and "Format Writing" are the two best resources I've seen for essay writing and I've seen many. If TLAOW is too advanced, try Format Writing.

The only other thing I'd recommend in addition to (not in place of) Format Writing is a book entitled:
"How to Write an Essay". It's in the "Sparknotes Ultimate Style" series. ISBN: 1-4114-9976-X . I purchased ours at B&N. It's written on a slightly lower level than the other 2 books I mentioned so it should help your ds.

I should add--- All 3 books are inexpensive and effective.

[Laurie in ON]

Both levels of this program did wonders for essay writing in our house. Highly recommended.

[readwithem]

We love Jensens here - very gentle, you could pick and choose as you go. http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1012563&item_no=6061297

If you do decide to go with IEW for the Essay writing, I have it and can pop it in the mail to you. We've watched it and may watch it again before SAT (I think she's doing it in March - it's whichever month doesn't have SAT subjects:lol:

[HiddenJewel]

Analytical Grammar has an essay program as well that looks pretty straight forward. You can see a demo video on their website.

[Moira in MA]

I really liked the results my eldest dd got from the 6 week expository essay course offered by Brave Writer. She took it the summer after 9th grade.

The material, discussions, assignments and essay prompts were all excellent. The 6 week length made it very doable.

HTH
~Moira

[Gwen in VA]

Thank you for all the suggestions!

I am still considering what our next step is, but several of these options I had not even heard of before -- so thank you for taking the time to share your recommendations!

[islandmama]

The Elegant Essay is very straight forward and goes through how to write an essay, starting with a thesis. It is very easy to use. It was written by someone else (can't remember who) not Andrew Pudewa. I think it would be an appropriate choice. ;)

[specialmama]

The "Basic Cozy Essay Course" is great, from Splashes from the River. It comes as a DVD and workbook (or CD to print the pages) and Marie Rackhan, the teacher, is quite endearing. She creates a comfortable and memorable learning experience. :001_smile:

[Heather in NC]

I taught writing in high schools and co-ops for years and I have an "intro to essay-writing" doc I can send you if you'd like. Very straight-forward. Just pm me and I'll send it.