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Robert V.

Skilled 7-12 ELA Tutor, SAT/ACT, Academic and Professional Editor

Skilled 7-12 ELA Tutor, SAT/ACT, Academic and Professional Editor

$50/hour

5.0 (857 ratings)

  • 3,103 hours tutoring

About Robert

Bio

Sharing information and knowledge is my life‘s passion. Tutoring and classroom teaching over the past 20 years has provided me endless opportunities for assisting others in sharpening their core communication skills in English: reading, writing, and public speaking.

With a Ph.D. in literature and creative writing from the University of Houston and experience with all levels of students, often foreign students, I am excited to coach you. Your success is my success, be it academically or...

Sharing information and knowledge is my life‘s passion. Tutoring and classroom teaching over the past 20 years has provided me endless opportunities for assisting others in sharpening their core communication skills in English: reading, writing, and public speaking.

With a Ph.D. in literature and creative writing from the University of Houston and experience with all levels of students, often foreign students, I am excited to coach you. Your success is my success, be it academically or professionally. My younger students find me engaging, entertaining, and enlightening. University students know that I am well-versed in all the humanities, including postmodern theory.

Academics must connect to “the real world.” I weave content from other disciplines into my lessons so my students have a bigger, wider, deeper, and stronger contextual net of knowledge that will catch and hold more information.

If this interests you, read on. Here is how I can serve you or your student.

READING
Reading is the running of school. If you're a strong reader, all of your school work is easier. Speed and comprehension improves, giving you mastery of the subject. As well, using context clues and word roots helps grow your vocabulary. Finally, my instruction teaches readers at all levels to make thought visible. I guide students to annotate in order to comprehend more deeply. These skills transfer to formal writing as students can "hear" what good writing sounds like based on strong reading.

WRITING
Nothing creates anxiety like a blank page or screen. So students tend to put off the work until the last moment. Most then try to "type up" a paper by spilling words on a blank page hoping to fill it up.

I teach students how to scaffold the entire writing project in such a way that they are building it bit by bit. The actual "writing" - filling out sentences comes after they have their key ideas/direct quotes from the research/literary text down on paper. Now on a firm foundation, students build around it.

It is an effective paper writ

Read more

Education

University of Dayton, OH
American Studies
University of Houston, Houston TX
Masters
University of Houston, Houston, TX
PhD

Policies

Schedule

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Subjects

Art

Theater

Theater

I have over 20 years experience in theatre as an actor, writer and director. I trained at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre by Richard Pinter. I studied Improvisation with Paul Sills among others. I have studied playwrighting with Edward Albee and Eduardo Machado. As well I have performed with noted theatre companies in Minneapolis, MN, and New York City. Additionally, I have taught "Introduction to Theatre" at the university level. As well, in my college composition classes, my students were required to read and attend the campus productions at the University of Houston in conjunction with my Rhetoric Class. Finally, I am well-versed in theatre as literature, especially the world of Shakespeare and modern 20th century American greats like O'Neill, Williams, Miller, and Mamet.

Business

Career Development,

Career Development

Be a linchpin, the desired employee of the 21st century workforce who doesn't wait to be chosen but is motivated and prepared to lead. With my experience developing career skills, I will teach you to write well, organize and execute smart presentations, as well as sharpen your public speaking, interview skills, and finally revise your resume and cover letters when you want to advance yourself.
Public Speaking

Public Speaking

More people fear public speaking than death itself. However, every organization hungers for employees who can stand up and champion its products and ideas. Want to master the boardroom or the classroom? Excellent public speaking skills are a low cost addition to your professional or academic tool box that will distinguish you from your coworkers. I have 30+ years of presentation experience in sales, education (inside and outside of the classroom), in theater, and public advocacy. I will teach you how to write and revise an effective presentation, build a PowerPoint that enhances your text, and rehearse your work so your skills improve immediately.

Corporate Training

Career Development,

Career Development

Be a linchpin, the desired employee of the 21st century workforce who doesn't wait to be chosen but is motivated and prepared to lead. With my experience developing career skills, I will teach you to write well, organize and execute smart presentations, as well as sharpen your public speaking, interview skills, and finally revise your resume and cover letters when you want to advance yourself.
Public Speaking

Public Speaking

More people fear public speaking than death itself. However, every organization hungers for employees who can stand up and champion its products and ideas. Want to master the boardroom or the classroom? Excellent public speaking skills are a low cost addition to your professional or academic tool box that will distinguish you from your coworkers. I have 30+ years of presentation experience in sales, education (inside and outside of the classroom), in theater, and public advocacy. I will teach you how to write and revise an effective presentation, build a PowerPoint that enhances your text, and rehearse your work so your skills improve immediately.

Elementary Education

Reading

Reading

Reading is the running of school. In all sports, you need to run. If you cannot read easily, all school work suffers. It's the one skill that all students need to raise their grades across the board. With over 20 years of experience, I've taught many strategies successfully to help students at all grade levels maximize their time spent reading. All the reading, writing and test taking strategies I teach will help students every day in school, regardless of grade level.

English

ACT English,

ACT English

Let me help you prepare for the reading and writing portions ONLY of the ACT. While the ACT is gaining in popularity over the SAT - make no mistake - in the final analysis, these are both reading comprehension tests. The better you read, the higher you will score. The ACT is a bit different than the SAT as it resembles a "standard" school test on content, while the SAT is a critical thinking test, meaning it assesses how well you can work with material you've never seen before.
English,

English

With a PhD in Literature/Creative Writing, I will help you successfully complete any assignment, understand any text, improve your core reading and writings skills, which will lead to higher grades as well as deeper understanding. With younger students I work on core skills in addition to helping the with making thought visible and thinking in the abstract. With university students, I help them place a work of literature in a greater context - either historically or intellectually - for comprehensive understanding. Finally, I am well-versed in APA, MLA, and University of Chicago style manuals.
Literature,

Literature

As an avid reader, teacher, and student of writing, I can discuss any genre of texts for its content (the school house literary elements) and as an formal "object of discourse" for university or dissertation work. With my teaching experience, I know how to find the right example for your level so as to break it down so you'll understand.
Public Speaking,

Public Speaking

More people fear public speaking than death itself. However, every organization hungers for employees who can stand up and champion its products and ideas. Want to master the boardroom or the classroom? Excellent public speaking skills are a low cost addition to your professional or academic tool box that will distinguish you from your coworkers. I have 30+ years of presentation experience in sales, education (inside and outside of the classroom), in theater, and public advocacy. I will teach you how to write and revise an effective presentation, build a PowerPoint that enhances your text, and rehearse your work so your skills improve immediately.
Reading,

Reading

Reading is the running of school. In all sports, you need to run. If you cannot read easily, all school work suffers. It's the one skill that all students need to raise their grades across the board. With over 20 years of experience, I've taught many strategies successfully to help students at all grade levels maximize their time spent reading. All the reading, writing and test taking strategies I teach will help students every day in school, regardless of grade level.
SAT Reading,

SAT Reading

Nothing replaces close reading. My SAT Reading Prep prepares a student for critical thinking - "chunking" the text, annotating for key words from the questions and the text, noting transition words, claims, and rhetorical strategies. This allows the student to unpack the passage accurately and score well.
SAT Writing,

SAT Writing

With over 10 years of test prep experience, my tutoring covers content, organization and mechanics: grammar help for mechanical errors, content for the critical thinking required for the rhetorical analysis and organization for a completely developed essay. The test grades your work as if it's a first draft, but my tutoring will help you compose a point winning essay.
Writing,

Writing

High school or college essay? Admission essays and supplemental questions? Grad school seminar papers or projects? Dissertation? Professional letters, presentations, or projects? I do it all. I offer quality editing and revision, as well as input on content. With a PhD in English and years of experience, I am a quick study who can help you nail down those tricky assignments. Let me help you reach your full writing potential in school or business. Please review my student testimonials; then contact me.
ACT Reading

History

American History,

American History

My first passion as a young reader was American History. While I have a PhD, American Studies - social and cultural history of the US - has been at the foreground of all my work and studies. I have tutored AP history as well as World History and standard US history. I am well versed in the themes of American History as well as the major players. As well, I know the impact our history has had on the peoples and their cultures inside and outside of our country.
Government & Politics

Homeschool

English,

English

With a PhD in Literature/Creative Writing, I will help you successfully complete any assignment, understand any text, improve your core reading and writings skills, which will lead to higher grades as well as deeper understanding. With younger students I work on core skills in addition to helping the with making thought visible and thinking in the abstract. With university students, I help them place a work of literature in a greater context - either historically or intellectually - for comprehensive understanding. Finally, I am well-versed in APA, MLA, and University of Chicago style manuals.
Reading,

Reading

Reading is the running of school. In all sports, you need to run. If you cannot read easily, all school work suffers. It's the one skill that all students need to raise their grades across the board. With over 20 years of experience, I've taught many strategies successfully to help students at all grade levels maximize their time spent reading. All the reading, writing and test taking strategies I teach will help students every day in school, regardless of grade level.
SAT Reading,

SAT Reading

Nothing replaces close reading. My SAT Reading Prep prepares a student for critical thinking - "chunking" the text, annotating for key words from the questions and the text, noting transition words, claims, and rhetorical strategies. This allows the student to unpack the passage accurately and score well.
Writing

Writing

High school or college essay? Admission essays and supplemental questions? Grad school seminar papers or projects? Dissertation? Professional letters, presentations, or projects? I do it all. I offer quality editing and revision, as well as input on content. With a PhD in English and years of experience, I am a quick study who can help you nail down those tricky assignments. Let me help you reach your full writing potential in school or business. Please review my student testimonials; then contact me.

Most Popular

English,

English

With a PhD in Literature/Creative Writing, I will help you successfully complete any assignment, understand any text, improve your core reading and writings skills, which will lead to higher grades as well as deeper understanding. With younger students I work on core skills in addition to helping the with making thought visible and thinking in the abstract. With university students, I help them place a work of literature in a greater context - either historically or intellectually - for comprehensive understanding. Finally, I am well-versed in APA, MLA, and University of Chicago style manuals.
Reading,

Reading

Reading is the running of school. In all sports, you need to run. If you cannot read easily, all school work suffers. It's the one skill that all students need to raise their grades across the board. With over 20 years of experience, I've taught many strategies successfully to help students at all grade levels maximize their time spent reading. All the reading, writing and test taking strategies I teach will help students every day in school, regardless of grade level.
Writing

Writing

High school or college essay? Admission essays and supplemental questions? Grad school seminar papers or projects? Dissertation? Professional letters, presentations, or projects? I do it all. I offer quality editing and revision, as well as input on content. With a PhD in English and years of experience, I am a quick study who can help you nail down those tricky assignments. Let me help you reach your full writing potential in school or business. Please review my student testimonials; then contact me.

Other

College Counseling,

College Counseling

Colleges accept you based on your potential. I help both students and their parents understand how to frame the essay application and supplemental questions. Additionally, I help students and parents with the entire search process:, essays, organizing paperwork, picking a potential major, and prioritizing applications. Using my vast experience with students who are sometimes unsure about which are the crucial questions they need to ask themselves, I guide them at all levels of the process. As well, I assist college transfer students, those applying for specific scholarships or internships, as well as editing and revising graduate program applications or profession (medical or law) schools.
Government & Politics

Summer

Reading,

Reading

Reading is the running of school. In all sports, you need to run. If you cannot read easily, all school work suffers. It's the one skill that all students need to raise their grades across the board. With over 20 years of experience, I've taught many strategies successfully to help students at all grade levels maximize their time spent reading. All the reading, writing and test taking strategies I teach will help students every day in school, regardless of grade level.
Writing

Writing

High school or college essay? Admission essays and supplemental questions? Grad school seminar papers or projects? Dissertation? Professional letters, presentations, or projects? I do it all. I offer quality editing and revision, as well as input on content. With a PhD in English and years of experience, I am a quick study who can help you nail down those tricky assignments. Let me help you reach your full writing potential in school or business. Please review my student testimonials; then contact me.

Test Preparation

ACT English,

ACT English

Let me help you prepare for the reading and writing portions ONLY of the ACT. While the ACT is gaining in popularity over the SAT - make no mistake - in the final analysis, these are both reading comprehension tests. The better you read, the higher you will score. The ACT is a bit different than the SAT as it resembles a "standard" school test on content, while the SAT is a critical thinking test, meaning it assesses how well you can work with material you've never seen before.
Career Development,

Career Development

Be a linchpin, the desired employee of the 21st century workforce who doesn't wait to be chosen but is motivated and prepared to lead. With my experience developing career skills, I will teach you to write well, organize and execute smart presentations, as well as sharpen your public speaking, interview skills, and finally revise your resume and cover letters when you want to advance yourself.
College Counseling,

College Counseling

Colleges accept you based on your potential. I help both students and their parents understand how to frame the essay application and supplemental questions. Additionally, I help students and parents with the entire search process:, essays, organizing paperwork, picking a potential major, and prioritizing applications. Using my vast experience with students who are sometimes unsure about which are the crucial questions they need to ask themselves, I guide them at all levels of the process. As well, I assist college transfer students, those applying for specific scholarships or internships, as well as editing and revising graduate program applications or profession (medical or law) schools.
SAT Reading,

SAT Reading

Nothing replaces close reading. My SAT Reading Prep prepares a student for critical thinking - "chunking" the text, annotating for key words from the questions and the text, noting transition words, claims, and rhetorical strategies. This allows the student to unpack the passage accurately and score well.
SAT Writing,

SAT Writing

With over 10 years of test prep experience, my tutoring covers content, organization and mechanics: grammar help for mechanical errors, content for the critical thinking required for the rhetorical analysis and organization for a completely developed essay. The test grades your work as if it's a first draft, but my tutoring will help you compose a point winning essay.
ACT Reading

Examples of Expertise

Robert has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 9 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

See all of Robert ’s answers ›

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

5.0 (857 ratings)
5 star
(839)
4 star
(13)
3 star
(2)
2 star
(2)
1 star
(1)

Reviews

Show reviews that mention

All reviews prompt professional helped me improve responsible helped a lot

Featured review

Phenomenal tutor

Robert is by far one of the best tutors I have had the pleasure of working with. He is ALWAYS competent and willing to help me no matter the time line. He's work is phenomenal and it still amazes me efficient he works. An assignment that would normally take me a week to do well I can do it with his help in 1-2 days. I highly recommend working with him on any writing or editing project you have. He always listens to me and works around whatever writing preference or input I may have. Robert is tutoring rockstar!

Maredith, 6 lessons with Robert

Excellent Tutor!

Robert helped with my kid's college application essay. He was very patient and effective, and he gave helpful insight! Definitely worth more than the price with his outstanding performance!

Ting, 1 lesson with Robert

One and done!

My son had 2 ideas for a college essay and Robert helped him pick the stronger out of the 2 and although he had written it out entirely, Robert cleaned helped him finish the ideas and tie up loose ends in his narrative. I didn't sit with during the session but I could hear a one-sided conversation from the other room and it seemed like some good and thought-provoking conversations were had. Highly recommend Robert, he was flexible, seemed like he wanted to make this work. Our session went over an hour, but we were only charged for the time we used. One and done. Thanks Robert! Wish we would have found you sooner!

Carrie, 1 lesson with Robert

Wonderful Tutor

My son has been working with Robert for about 7 month. Last school year his 6th grade ELA teacher saw progress almost right away. My son is reading and writing better. His multiple choice comprehension improved. But the most important thing is that he is looking forward to his lessons. Robert doing different activities with him and keep it interesting and fun while teaching. Thank you Robert!

Julia, 76 lessons with Robert

KNew how to make it flow better

English writing skills, flow etc. He gave very valuable advice on content, structure etc. My daughter was very happy with feedback and she is working on improving her writing.

Shi, 1 lesson with Robert

Great insights

I have worked with Robert twice and will work with him in the future. He is a great tutor with valuable insights at the collegiate level. Likewise, he has been available with short notice for one last review of a paper.

Lucas, 3 lessons with Robert

Very knowledgeable and efficient

Robert helped me structure my essays in a way that really brings them to life while cutting out fluff so they could be strengthened with verbiage. We covered multiple essays in one session. I’m looking forward to working with him again.

Missy, 2 lessons with Robert

Really helpful

He really cuts down your essay. However, by doing so, he gives you the opportunity to tell him how you feel about certain things to let him help you build up your story in each essay. Thanks to him, I was able to bring out my essay's colors more.

Ivy, 4 lessons with Robert

Very pleased with his help on my son’s Scholarship essay

Robert provided excellent feedback, edits, and suggestions for my son’s scholarship essay. He was able to offer a quick turnaround as the scholarship deadline was quickly approaching. Very much appreciated.

Henry, 1 lesson with Robert

Best writing tutor I have worked with

With his help I feel like my scholarship application has finally reached its full potential...and I am a graduate student in a program with lots of writing!! Believe me, if you need help being more concise in your essays, this is the guy to go to. I will be using Robert to help me with scholarship applications and really all writing assignments I am struggling with in the future.

Brooke, 4 lessons with Robert
Contact Robert

Response time: 3 hours

$50/hour

Robert V.'s Photo

Robert V.

$50/hour

  • No subscriptions or upfront payments

  • Only pay for the time you need

  • Find the right fit, or your first hour is free

Contact Robert

Response time: 3 hours