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Writing & Essay Coach
Derek R.

5.0 (55 ratings)

121 hours tutoring

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About Derek

Bio

Writing an essay can be frustrating, especially when you understand the material but aren't quite sure how to turn your ideas into a strong paper. That's where I can help.

I have a B.A. in English Literature and an M.S. in Finance from the University of Miami, and I work with both college and high school students across a wide range of subjects. While English and writing are my academic background, I've helped students with papers in history, business, social sciences, literature, and...

Writing an essay can be frustrating, especially when you understand the material but aren't quite sure how to turn your ideas into a strong paper. That's where I can help.

I have a B.A. in English Literature and an M.S. in Finance from the University of Miami, and I work with both college and high school students across a wide range of subjects. While English and writing are my academic background, I've helped students with papers in history, business, social sciences, literature, and other humanities courses.

My favorite part of tutoring is actually working through an essay with a student. We can start with nothing more than an assignment prompt and brainstorm ideas together, figure out what you actually want to argue, build an outline, and then turn that outline into a paper. If you already have a draft, we can go through it together and figure out what's working, what's missing, and where your argument can be stronger.

One thing I focus on heavily is the **"so what?"** behind your writing. A lot of students are good at finding evidence or explaining what happened, but the harder part is explaining *why it matters*. Once you learn how to make that connection, writing stronger body paragraphs and arguments becomes much easier.

I can help with brainstorming, thesis statements, essay organization, research papers, literary and historical analysis, argumentative essays, source integration, paragraph development, revision, grammar, and proofreading. I'm also happy to work from professor or teacher feedback so that we can identify exactly what they're looking for and apply it to your next assignment.

I don't want to simply edit your paper and hand it back to you. I want us to work through it together so that you understand **why** we're making changes and can use the same techniques on your next paper.

Whether you're completely stuck on how to begin, have a rough draft that needs work, or just want another set of eyes before submitting an assignment, send it over and we'll figure it out together.

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Education

University of Miami
English Literature
University of Miami Herbert School of Business
Masters

Additional Languages

Spanish

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Approved Subjects

English

English

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a Master’s degree in Finance, which gives me a unique ability to support both strong writing and analytical thinking. My background in English allows me to help students with essay structure, clarity, grammar, and literary analysis, including poetry and advanced texts. I focus on making complex material approachable by breaking it down into clear, step-by-step ideas, helping students build both confidence and independent writing skills.
ESL/ESOL

ESL/ESOL

I hold a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a master’s degree in Finance, giving me a strong background in both academic and professional communication. I help students improve their grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, writing, and overall confidence using English. My finance and business background also allows me to work with students who want to strengthen their Business English, including professional writing, presentations, workplace communication, and industry-specific vocabulary.
Essay Writing

Essay Writing

Writing a strong essay isn't just about having good ideas. It's about knowing how to organize them, support them with evidence, and explain why they matter! I specialize in AP English Language and Literature, as well as college-level academic writing, and I enjoy helping students become more confident and independent writers. Whether you're working on a rhetorical analysis, literary analysis, argumentative essay, research paper, or another academic assignment, I'm happy to help! We can work on everything from developing a strong thesis and organizing your paragraphs to strengthening your analysis, improving transitions, and making final edits. I have a B.A. in English Literature and an M.S. in Finance from the University of Miami, and my approach is collaborative and conversational. I don't just want to help you finish an assignment. I want you to understand WHY certain writing techniques work so that you can apply them to future essays, too. My goal is to help you find your voice, develop your ideas, and become a stronger writer with every session!
Personal Statements

Personal Statements

Writing your college application essays can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to figure out what to write about in the first place! That's where I come in. I've worked with students on applications to Stanford, MIT, Cornell, and many other universities, helping them develop personal statements and supplemental essays that highlight their unique experiences, personalities, and perspectives. Whether you're staring at a blank page, struggling to organize your ideas, or putting the finishing touches on an essay, I'm happy to help! I work with students throughout the entire writing process, from brainstorming and finding the right story to developing drafts, strengthening arguments, and making final edits. I have a B.A. in English Literature and an M.S. in Finance from the University of Miami, and I genuinely enjoy helping students discover what makes their stories worth telling. My approach is collaborative and conversational. I want your essays to sound like you, not like something an admissions consultant wrote for you. After all, colleges aren't just interested in what you've accomplished. They want to get to know the person behind those accomplishments!
SAT Math

SAT Math

I hold a Master's degree in Finance and a Bachelor's degree in English Literature from the University of Miami, giving me a strong foundation in both quantitative reasoning and clear communication. My graduate coursework emphasized advanced mathematics, including statistics, financial modeling, calculus-based concepts, and analytical problem solving, which I now use to help students build confidence in math. I specialize in explaining challenging concepts in a clear, step-by-step manner, helping students understand the reasoning behind each problem rather than simply memorizing formulas. My background in English also allows me to teach students how to interpret complex word problems, avoid common test-taking mistakes, and communicate their mathematical thinking effectively. Whether you're preparing for the SAT, strengthening your algebra skills, or building a stronger mathematical foundation, I focus on developing both accuracy and confidence through personalized instruction.
Thesis Writing

Thesis Writing

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and have a strong background in academic and thesis-level writing. I help students develop clear, focused arguments while improving structure, organization, and logical flow throughout their work. My approach is practical and structured, guiding students through thesis development, evidence integration, and overall clarity. I work closely with students to refine their writing so their ideas are communicated effectively and meet academic standards.
Vocabulary

Vocabulary

I earned a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Miami, where I maintained a 4.0 GPA in my English coursework. My academic background emphasized precise language, vocabulary development, and effective communication. I help students expand their vocabulary while also learning when and how to use advanced words appropriately for different audiences and contexts. My approach focuses not only on memorizing words, but on developing clarity, precision, and confidence in writing and speaking.
Grammar
Proofreading
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Ratings and Reviews

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5.0 (55 ratings)
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Reviews

great tutor

Derek is an excellent, patient tutor who really listens to the student’s needs and adapts the lessons accordingly. The sessions feel stress-free and comfortable while still being very productive and efficient. Highly recommended!

Dora, 4 lessons with Derek

one of the best tutor with personalized approach

Derek is one of the best tutors who did my child more confident and significantly improved his writing skills. Each lesson with Derek was personalized and very valuable for my child and improved his proficiency in writing significantly. Derek created the best plan and met my child’s writing goals.

Yulia, 8 lessons with Derek

Help and passion

There have been many things Derek has taught me in a short amount of time. Mainly, structure and how to organize my writing more clearly. His passion for what he does is apparent in every session we have. He comes prepared with ideas and comments, and the entire session is meaningful.

Adriana, 3 lessons with Derek