1st lesson free
Cote
- Rate R278
- Response 1h
R278/h
Contact
1st lesson free
- English
- Reading
- Creative writing
- Proofreading
Published novelist and college English instructor with 15 years of experience teaches all forms of essay writing and creative writing
- English
- Reading
- Creative writing
- Proofreading
Lesson location
About Cote
I'm a published novelist, MFA graduate, and university writing instructor with 15+ years helping students at every level become clearer, more confident writers.
I've taught composition and creative writing at several universities and spent nearly a decade as a learning specialist, supporting students with various learning styles. I know how to diagnose what's actually holding a writer back, and how to fix it.
If you want feedback that goes deeper than grammar, and a tutor who's been on both sides of the writing workshop table, I'd love to work with you.
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About the lesson
- Primary
- Secondary
- Matric/GCSE
- +7
levels :
Primary
Secondary
Matric/GCSE
AS Level
A Level
BTech
Adult education
Masters
Doctorate
MBA
- English
Languages in which the lesson is available :
English
MY APPROACH
Writing & composition tutoring from a working author
I'm a published novelist, MFA-holder, and university writing instructor with over 15 years of experience helping students at every level find their voice and sharpen their craft. My approach is direct and personalized. That means I meet you where you are, identify the specific patterns holding you back, and give you practical tools you can apply immediately. Whether you're struggling with a thesis statement or trying to get a short story to land, I'll give you honest, specific feedback, while also being fun and supportive!
TEACHING METHODS & TECHNIQUES
Reading closely before writing. Every session starts with examining what's actually on the page. This means reading the assignment prompt closely before going over your draft. I don't impose a template or what I would do for an assignment. Instead, I help you understand what your writing is trying to do and how to do it better.
Evidence-based intervention. Drawing on my background as a learning specialist, I identify specific skill gaps and apply targeted strategies that make sense for you, the individual.
A TYPICAL LESSON
1. Check-in & goal-setting (5 min) — We start by clarifying what you need most from today's session. Deadline looming? Stuck on structure? Not sure where to begin? We pick a focus.
2. Review & diagnosis (15 min) — I read your draft or assignment alongside you, noting patterns in your writing. I'm looking for the underlying issue, not just surface errors.
3. Targeted instruction (20 min) — We work through the core issue together — whether that's argument structure, sentence-level clarity, narrative pacing, or citation format. I explain the why, not just the fix.
4. Hands-on revision (15 min) — You revise in real time while I give live feedback. This is where the learning actually sticks.
5. Takeaways & next steps (5 min) — I'll summarize what we worked on and give you 1–2 specific things to watch for as you keep writing on your own.
WHAT SETS ME APART
Most writing tutors can help you fix comma splices. I can help you figure out why your essay isn't making an argument, why your story's opening isn't pulling the reader in, or why your professor keeps writing "unclear" in the margins. I've published two novels with major presses and spent over a decade teaching composition and creative writing at the college level. I also spent 8 years as a learning specialist supporting students with IEPs and diverse learning needs.
WHO THIS IS FOR
I work with students across all levels and writing contexts:
- College composition (100–200 level)
- Academic writing
- Creative writing (fiction & nonfiction)
- Graduate writing
- College essays & applications
- First-generation students
- Students with learning differences
- ESL writers
- Research papers
- Short story & workshop prep
Especially well-suited for students in English, humanities, and writing-intensive courses who need more than proofreading — who want to become better, more confident writers.
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Rates
Rate
- R278
Package rates
- 5h: R1390
- 10h: R2780
online
- R278/h
free lesson
The free first lesson with Cote allows you to get to know the tutor and discuss your needs and expectations.
- 1h
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