Welcome to our informational blog.

Topics covered include literary theory and practice, academic writing techniques, philosophy of education, and explanations of our methods for enhancing creative intelligence.

The Role of Practical Wisdom in Ethical Education: Developing Thoughtful Readers and Writers

Reading and writing tutors can incorporate the concept of practical wisdom, or phronesis, into their pedagogy by guiding students not only in technical skills but also in developing thoughtful judgment about how to apply those skills in different contexts. Practical wisdom in education involves helping students learn how to navigate complex situations, make informed decisions, and adapt their reading and writing to varied audiences, purposes, and genres.

Read More

Tracking Your Writing: Why a Writing Log Matters

A writing log not only boosts productivity but also encourages continual growth by making each writing session part of a larger narrative of improvement and progress. Reading and writing tutors can play a pivotal role in helping clients develop a consistent practice of keeping a writing log.

Read More

Applying Marxist Literary Theory: A Student's Guide to Class, Power, and Literature

By focusing on the relationships between different social classes and the material realities that shape them, Marxist criticism seeks to reveal how characters, themes, and narratives are influenced by these forces. Whether a text supports or challenges dominant ideologies can reveal underlying messages about power and exploitation within society. Through the guidance of an essay writing tutor, students can learn to apply this theory to their literary analyses, gaining a clearer understanding of how class structures and economic conditions shape literature.

Read More

Noam Chomsky’s Linguistics: A Guide for Reading and Writing Tutors

By adapting Chomsky’s ideas to literacy education, reading and writing tutors can create more effective strategies for helping students understand and use language in a way that aligns with their natural cognitive abilities.

Read More

Key Concepts in Cognitive Linguistics: A Guide for Writing Tutors

Writing tutors can incorporate the core principles of cognitive linguistics into their pedagogy to enhance students' understanding of language, improve their writing skills, and deepen their awareness of how language structures thought.

Read More

Meeting Students Where They Are: An Eclectic Approach to Reading and Writing Tutoring

Reading and writing tutors can effectively use an eclectic approach to tailor their instruction to the diverse needs of their students by drawing on multiple educational philosophies and methods. Since students often come to tutoring sessions with varying levels of skill, learning styles, and goals, an eclectic approach allows tutors to combine different strategies to provide personalized support.

Read More

Demystifying Post-Structuralism: How Tutors Can Support High School Students

High school writing tutors have a unique opportunity to help students engage with post-structuralism, guiding them to understand and apply its concepts in their literary analyses.

Read More

From Prometheus to Purusha: Teaching Writing with Origin Myths

Incorporating origin myths into high school writing pedagogy offers a multifaceted approach to teaching that can engage students creatively while enhancing their understanding of narrative structure, cultural history, and moral lessons. A writing tutor can leverage origin myths in several ways to enrich the learning experience.

Read More

Mythological Stories as a Foundation for Middle School Writing

Greek and Roman mythology offers a treasure trove of material that can be used to stimulate creativity, foster critical thinking, and deepen students' understanding of storytelling. Middle school writing tutors can effectively integrate mythological stories and characters into their prompts and pedagogical strategies to capture students' interest and enhance their writing skills.

Read More

Adolescence: Identity vs. Role Confusion

Understanding the complexities of the Identity vs. Role Confusion stage in Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development can significantly enrich a writing tutor's approach to teaching adolescent students. This stage, focusing on the development of a cohesive self-identity, offers a unique opportunity for writing tutors to tailor their pedagogy in ways that not only improve writing skills but also support students' broader developmental needs.

Read More

Erikson's Stages of Development: Industry vs. Inferiority

During the Industry vs. Inferiority stage, children are at a prime age to develop their writing skills. This is a period when they are not only capable of mastering complex tasks but are also developing a sense of self-confidence in their abilities. A language arts tutor can play a crucial role in helping a student navigate this developmental stage by enhancing their writing skills, fostering a positive self-concept as a writer, and encouraging a lifelong passion for learning.

Read More

The Socratic Method in Essay Writing: Guiding Students to Stronger Theses

Through Socratic questioning, an essay writing tutor helps students deeply explore their topic, challenge assumptions, and examine the evidence. This structured, critical inquiry not only assists in developing a compelling thesis but also sharpens the student's overall ability to think critically and argue effectively.

Read More

Unraveling the Monomyth: The Power of the Hero's Journey in Storytelling

Understanding the psychological underpinnings of the Hero's Journey enables coaches to help writers craft narratives that resonate emotionally with audiences. By focusing on the inner journey of the hero, writers can create stories that offer genuine insights into the human condition.

Read More
Philosophy of Education, Writing Tutoring, Tutoring Gilliam Writers Group Philosophy of Education, Writing Tutoring, Tutoring Gilliam Writers Group

Embracing Individuality: The Montessori Method's Influence on Writing Tutoring

This article explores how the key principles of the Montessori method—individualized learning, choice-driven exploration, varied learning materials, the educator's guiding role, and a collaborative learning environment—can revolutionize writing tutoring.

Read More

Educational "Third Spaces": Tutoring & Innovation

In the vast and ever-changing landscape of education, "third spaces" constitute a transformative arena wherein the boundaries of traditional learning are challenged and expanded. These environments, neither strictly institutional nor purely informal, have become crucial incubators for pedagogical experimentation and innovation. At the heart of these spaces lies the age-old practice of tutoring.

Read More
Philosophy of Education, Tutoring Brady Gilliam Philosophy of Education, Tutoring Brady Gilliam

Metacognition in Focus: Understanding Its Impact on Learning and Psychological Well-Being

Metacognition, a term coined in the late 1970s, refers to the awareness and control of one's own thought processes. It's a concept that might sound abstract at first, but it plays a fundamental role in how we learn, solve problems, and perceive our own abilities. At its simplest, metacognition is thinking about thinking, or being aware of one's awareness.

Read More

The Vital Role of Formal Grammar in Developing Writing Proficiency

Despite grammar’s fundamental role, many educational institutions have shifted their focus away from traditional grammar instruction — a change that raises questions about the potential effects of this reduced emphasis on students' ability to write effectively in measurable and consistent ways. This trend underscores the role writing tutors can play in providing essential grammar education.

Read More

Embracing the Moral Heart of Writing Tutoring: Insights from David Hansen's Educational Philosophy

In his book "The Moral Heart of Teaching," philosopher David Hansen embarks on a profound exploration of the ethical core of educational practice. Hansen articulates the belief that teaching is not merely a profession but a vocation rooted in moral responsibility. His arguments can be applied to educational settings and pedagogical traditions beyond conventional classroom learning, and are especially relevant to the nuanced work of writing tutoring.

Read More

Enhancing Adolescent Writing Skills IV: How We Operationalize the 2007 “Writing Next” Report

As professional writing tutors, we rely on a mix of personal experience and research when designing our lesson plans & determining how to improve student outcomes. Like many in our field, we have found the “Writing Next” report to be an invaluable resource for teaching our students how to write not only “well,” but compellingly, with gusto and inspiration. Read on to learn why you should hire a writing tutor online.

Read More

Enhancing Adolescent Writing Skills II: How Gilliam Writers Group Implements Effective Instructional Strategies

How do our online writing tutors do what they do so well? What research-based methods do we use to teach our students? Here’s our take on the first five effective instructional practices identified in the influential 2007 report titled "Writing Next: Effective strategies to improve writing of adolescents in middle and high schools.”

Read More