How Do I Become an Essay Tutor?

Someone who wants to become an essay tutor will need experience writing essays in various forms and talent as a writer. Becoming an essay tutor requires an excellent command of grammar, syntax and writing concepts, as well as the interpersonal skills necessary to help other people with their writing in a constructive manner. Essay tutors can work one-on-one with private clients, for educational institutions or for online tutoring websites.

An essay tutor needs to know both basic and advanced grammar. By the time students reach college, most of them will have a grasp of how to form basic sentences, but an essay tutor’s hand in correcting small errors is still necessary. Essay tutors also should be able to catch smaller errors that students are more likely to allow to slip by in writing. College students need tutors who know the rules regarding citations and formatting in popular styles, including Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA) and Chicago style.

After someone decides to become an essay tutor, that person will need to decide where he wants to work. Private tutors solicit clients through newspapers, online classified ads, their network of friends, and even fliers posted on nearby campuses. When working as a private tutor, one should review the student’s goals before accepting him as a client. If both the tutor and the student believe the arrangement will work, then the student should pay at each session or in advance for a block of sessions.

Most colleges and universities have tutors who work in student assistance centers. These tutors provide study help in a range of subjects, including essay writing. To become an essay tutor in a college setting, students often need to maintain a certain grade point average, have completed a certain number of college courses, and get recommendations from professors speaking to the student’s ability to write well. College essay tutors in academic centers earn an hourly wage that typically is lower than the rate a private tutor would charge, but it is guaranteed pay.

Online tutors make up a growing percentage of essay tutors. Website developers set up real-time systems in which tutors can communicate with students about the student’s work. In the case of essays, the student would send writings through an approved messaging system, and the tutor would provide editing and proofreading feedback. The qualifications to become an essay tutor on such sites vary based on the site’s reputation and audience. While some sites require only a sample of one’s work as proof of abilities, others demand a college degree and verifiable work experience.