Intensive Writing Program (Zoom Class)

This highly structured course includes six 2-hour sessions that begin with basic sentence structure review and build towards mastery of the essay. In addition to reviewing writing fundamentals, the instructor highlights the components an MTEL test grader looks for when reviewing the Communication and Literacy Writing Exam. Specific test-taking and timing strategies are introduced and interwoven throughout the program. The curriculum—in-class and homework—is based on true MTEL content; there will be no surprises when you take the exam.

The curriculum is a published,160-page book written specifically for the MTEL Communication and Literacy Writing exam, MTEL Magic 2nd Edition, by Chuck Zucco. The curriculum and ETI guarantee* are included with the program fee.

• Session 1: Students review parts of speech and sentence structure, securing a strong foundation for paragraph and essay development. Development of these basic skills at the word- and sentence-levels prepare students for more advanced concepts in punctuation and grammar. Homework is assigned to review and practice concepts learned in class.
• Session 2: Student questions on previous content and HW are fielded. Content is reviewed as needed. Concepts in punctuation, grammar, and usage are introduced though lecture, examples, and practice in session. Only content known to be on this MTEL is included. Specific strategies are introduced to assist students in understanding sentences (subject/verb, simple/compound/complex sentences, the importance of the prepositional phrase, etc.). Homework is assigned to review and practice concepts learned in class.
• Session 3: Student questions on previous content and HW are fielded, and content is reviewed as needed. Writing skills are introduced by the instructor guiding students through the four elements of a good paragraph. Different structures of paragraphs are reviewed and practiced. Understanding paragraphs is vital for performing well on the Summary Exercise, the Written Composition, and the Multiple-Choice sections, which together comprise 65% of the writing score. Homework is assigned to review and practice concepts learned in class.
• Session 4: Student questions on previous content and HW are fielded. Students’ homework paragraphs are shared and discussed. The instructor explains the structure of a 5-paragraph essay in preparation for the Written Composition of the exam. Sample essays are read and discussed. The instructor discusses how to plan and prepare an essay, and the group outlines the arguments for one together. Homework is assigned to review and practice concepts learned in class. Twenty MTEL-based essay topics are included for practice.
• Session 5: Student questions on previous content and HW are fielded. Students’ essays are reviewed. Students use their new understanding of paragraph and essay construction to prepare for the Summary Exercise. Specific strategies for paraphrasing and approaching the summary are taught and practiced. Together, the class reviews written works and develops summaries according to the expectations of exam graders.  Homework is assigned to review and practice concepts learned in class.
• Session 6: Student questions on previous content and HW are fielded. Students’ summaries are reviewed. The instructor guides students through two of the most challenging aspects of this exam: the Sentence Corrections and Paragraph Improvements. Students’ knowledge of grammar and punctuation are reviewed as the group studies strategies specific to the “Sentence Corrections” (“Revising Sentences with Errors”) section. Each error type will be examined and practiced, so students will know exactly which specific errors exist and how to fix them in each of the 7 sentences you will be presented with on the exam. Specific strategies for each type of error found in the Paragraph Improvement section (“the multiple-choice section”) of the exam will be reviewed and practiced. 

If you need to learn more about this course, feel free to contact us.