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Advanced intellectual mentoring from a novelist and philosopher.
Richard F.

5.0 (89 ratings)

205 hours tutoring

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Hourly Rate: $85
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About Richard

Bio

Hello! My name is Richard. I grew up in England, have a Ph.D. in philosophy from Cornell, and have taught on the faculty at several US universities plus the University of Washington's center for gifted youth. I have many years experience teaching philosophy, critical thinking, and effective writing - to kids, undergrads, grad students, and adult professionals. I love teaching students of all ages how to be more sophisticated and effective thinkers and writers.

In my view, doing philosophy...

Hello! My name is Richard. I grew up in England, have a Ph.D. in philosophy from Cornell, and have taught on the faculty at several US universities plus the University of Washington's center for gifted youth. I have many years experience teaching philosophy, critical thinking, and effective writing - to kids, undergrads, grad students, and adult professionals. I love teaching students of all ages how to be more sophisticated and effective thinkers and writers.

In my view, doing philosophy and caring deeply about literature and writing are inseparable - so much so that every philosophy class I have ever taught has also been a writing class.

I was President of my college debating union and have worked as a professional speechwriter and presentation coach with people ranging from grade-schoolers to working scientists to the CEO of a biotech company. Want to find your voice? Want to present better and teach better? I can take you there.

There are great tutors out there for every subject. You'll find my deeper and broader experience most useful if your ambition is not just to fix a problem or finish one assignment but to transform your intellectual self-confidence generally. Think of your mind as a house. Most tutors show up with some extra furniture; I can help you rebuild the place.

You can learn more about me, how I work, and my six published books at richardfarr.net.

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Education

Durham University, UK
BA with Honors Philosophy
Reading University, UK
Masters
Cornell University
PhD

Policies

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Approved Subjects

English

English

I have a Ph.D. and college teaching experience in philosophy, worked for years as an editor and communications consultant, and currently teach philosophy, writing, and critical thinking to adults and gifted youth and the University of Washington and North Seattle College. I also worked as a book and theater critic for various publications for almost 20 years and am an award-winning published novelist.
European History

European History

My one published history book is about Antarctica, and my academic specialization is philosophy, but having grown up in England I have studied European (and British) history continuously for about four decades. I've also studied and taught the philosophy of history - a subject that gives me a unique perspective most history teachers lack.
Grammar

Grammar

Perhaps I should add: word-nerd; I have decades of experience teaching other people how to write, editing other people's writing (mainly in academia), and shepherding my own work through publication with professional editors.
Literature

Literature

I spent two decades as a journalist in book and theatre criticism, and am an award-winning published novelist. I have a Ph.D. and college teaching experience, worked for years as an editor and communications consultant, and currently teach philosophy, writing, and critical thinking to adults and gifted youth and the University of Washington and North Seattle College.
Philosophy

Philosophy

My two MAs and Cornell PhD are in political philosophy, ethics, and the philosophy of science. Unlike the vast majority of tutors, I have years of teaching experience at the college level - to undergrads and grad students - and teach philosophy to grade school students aged 10-18. I've also taught writing extensively, and indeed teach a course with the title Write Like a Philosopher.
Political Science

Political Science

My two MAs and Cornell PhD are in political philosophy, ethics, and the philosophy of science. Unlike the vast majority of tutors, I have years of teaching experience at the college level - to undergrads and grad students - and teach philosophy to grade school students aged 10-18. I've also taught writing extensively, and indeed teach a course with the title Write Like a Philosopher.
Public Speaking

Public Speaking

In college I was President of the UK's third-oldest Debating Union. I ran my own communications business and worked as a professional speechwriter and presentation coach across several industries. I have many years of experience as a teacher and college professor.
Vocabulary

Vocabulary

I have written and published several million words and taken six books through the full process of editing, copy-editing, and proofreading that leads up to publication. I also play scrabble a lot!
World History

World History

My first book is a history book that required extensive archival research in primary materials. And, though my Ph.D. is in philosophy, you can't be a college philosophy professor without thinking and reading constantly in the history of ideas; you can't do that without a sophisticated understanding of themes in world history.
Writing

Writing

I worked as a book and theater critic for various publications for almost 20 years, ran my own speechwriting and communications consulting company, have worked as an editor, and am an award-winning published novelist. I also have a Cornell Ph.D. and extensive college teaching experience, and currently teach philosophy, writing, and critical thinking to adults and gifted youth and the University of Washington and North Seattle College.
ACT Reading
Reading

Examples of Expertise

Richard has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 27 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

See all of Richard ’s answers ›
Richard F.'s Photo

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Ratings and Reviews

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5.0 (89 ratings)
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Reviews

Absolutely amazing tutor with a wide range of knowledge, charisma, and super helpful!

Richard only spent 2 hours with me and I feel like I learned more in those two hours than the 14 weeks with my professor in college. He is such a caring and wise individual that also helped me better my writing skills entirely. I kid you not, I usually do not write any reviews, but Professor Richard Farr is absolutely amazing and I would 100/10 recommend him! If you want to do well or are motivated to do well in any way, I promise that Richard is the tutor to help! God bless him and his work.

Sayed, 11 lessons with Richard

Great Tutor!

If you’re working on a philosophy paper, then Richard is for you. He gives me great insights that allow me to look at my topic from a different perspective. What I think the most helpful thing he did was that he challenged my arguments/ideas, which helped me think more critically and deeply about the topic.

Anonymous, 1 lesson with Richard

Amazing Tutor!

I was struggling in my philosophy course at UCLA, luckily I found Richard! He is super kind, helpful, patient, funny, and he makes philosophy very interesting and explains it very clearly. He does a wonderful job at explaining the concepts, and we looked over every paragraph of my essay together, so I knew exactly what I was writing about. He gave me lots of tips to make my writing flow better, and not once did I feel confused. I got an A on my first philosophy paper! Honestly I wish I had him as my actual philosophy professor! He was very flexible about rescheduling lessons, which I appreciated a lot!

Ingrid, 5 lessons with Richard

Fantastic tutor

Richard recommended some great ways to format and organize my essay, so the contents flowed more smoothly. He gave me tips to improve the writing so it could seem more personal and creative. He is very patient, knowledgeable, and helpful. I highly recommend him!

myeongju, 2 lessons with Richard

Outstanding and most knowledgeable professor

I recommend Richard for any writing/philosophy course and essays you need help with. As consultant for high school students all the way to Masters degree students, I must say Richard's caliber is unique. You will advance your thoughts, your work, and you will be enlightened after even one lesson from Richard.

Linda , 7 lessons with Richard

Informed Tutor

Richard was so helpful in helping me create an outline for my college philosophy class! He was patient and broke down big ideas I wasn’t clear on and helped connect topics to each other. He also explained how a philosophy paper should be written and what he looks for in his own students essays. I feel much less stressed about my paper after going into depth with him on the topics I was confused about.

Jasper, 1 lesson with Richard

Wonderful

Richard was super kind, supportive and helpful. He helped me on my Ph.D. application process and it was absolutely invaluable. His extensive experience in philosophy and teaching shines through his advice. I highly recommend him.

Lana, 1 lesson with Richard

Philosophy Essay

Richard offered some specific, efficient ways of organizing arguments. It is helpful for a beginner like me. Richard is also good at coming up. with live examples that not only could be used in essays but also help me better understood the prompt.

Chaoran, 1 lesson with Richard

Fantastic tutor! Highly recommend!

Richard was extremely kind and was so knowledgeable about the authors I included in my essay and their arguments. He was extremely patient and very clear and friendly. He also gave me some great tips on how too make my essay flow better and especially, how to wrap it up effectively. Prior to our lesson he had clearly prepared and had some material he thought I could include in my essay, which I definitely will. Thank you Richard!! You're awesome!

T, 1 lesson with Richard
Hourly Rate: $85
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