Essay Writing Workshop

Master Teacher: Mr. Graham Jackson
Duration: 8-week course offered in summer.
Suggested Grade Level for Sections 101-104: 9th and 10th grades
Suggested Grade Level for Sections 201-202: 11th and 12th grades
Tuition: $224 for HSLDA Members / $249 for non-members

Description: Essay Writing Workshop is an 8-week immersion in the writing process for high school students. In a supportive, collaborative environment, students craft one essay from Step A to Step Z, learning key concepts in grammar, style, and citation along the way. Teacher feedback and class teamwork help build confidence for any level of high school!

Watch a sample clip of an Academy live class session.

Sign up for Essay Writing Workshop and other courses

Live Online Class Session Schedule

Dates: June 10, 2024 – August 9, 2024*

Level 100: 9th and 10th grade

Level 200: 11th and 12th grade

*Note: This class takes a break from June 30, 2024–July 6, 2024 in observance of Independence Day.

Frequently Asked Questions

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• Students Will Learn

  In the Essay Writing Workshop, students will learn about:

  • Basic grammar and sentence mechanics
  • Beating writer's block
  • Planning and outlining
  • Crafting a strong thesis
  • Good essay structure
  • Citation and style guides for MLA, Chicago, and APA
  • Writing style
  • Editing papers

  Please note, the Essay Writing Workshop is not a replacement for a yearlong high school course. It should function as a supplement to a full year of English instruction. Looking for yearlong English courses? HSLDA Online Academy offers English courses for students in grades 8–12.

• How much homework is in the Essay Writing Workshop?

  We estimate that students will spend 3–5 hours per week on this course.

  Every week, students will:

  • Attend a Live Class Session
  • Watch a pre-recorded lecture
  • Complete one or two quizzes
  • Advance a step in the writing process

  By the end of the course, students will:

  • Draft and edit a short essay
  • Edit peer essays
  • Learn style guide basics for MLA, Chicago, and APA

• What books will I use in the Essay Writing Workshop?

  There are no required books for the Essay Writing Workshop. In an effort to keep the cost down for families, all required resources will be provided within the course website after the course begins. 

• Prerequisites

  There are two levels of Essay Writing Workshop.

  Level 100 — 9th and 10th grade

  Students should be able to read and write at a 9th grade level, and should be able to meet deadlines and work independently. Please visit our Academic Readiness page for more information.

  Level 200 — 11th and 12th grade

  Students should be able to read and write at an 11th grade level, and should be able to meet deadlines and work independently. Please visit our Academic Readiness page for more information.

  Note: Level 100 and Level 200 cover the same topics. However, Level 200 has higher expectations on the quality of writing submitted, assumes more writing experience, assumes past experience with a Works Cited page, and will have older students. Students who are in 10th grade and lower should take Level 100. 

• What is a Live Online Class Session in the Essay Writing Workshop?

  In every HSLDA Academy course, students meet weekly with their instructor and classmates in an online classroom for additional teaching, discussion, Q&A, or group activities. The class sessions are interactive and are conducted using a web meeting software with video, audio, chat, and application sharing capabilities.

  Scheduled, real-time sessions in the online classroom are not the only form of instruction available in a HSLDA Online Academy course, but are offered in addition to lectures or other instructional materials that students are able to access online at their convenience.

  When they register, students will need to select a particular class section and live class meeting time. Additional class sections may be added to the schedule at a later point in the course registration period. Registered students will be notified of any changes to the live session schedule.