Essentials in Writing / Essentials in Literature

Essentials in Writing teaches students to write confidently through short video lessons with instructor Matthew Stephens, who breaks down composition and grammar into manageable chunks that build writing skills incrementally without overwhelming reluctant writers. This video-based curriculum for grades 1-12 uses a systematic approach where students watch targeted lessons, complete workbook exercises, and develop writing pieces over several days rather than in marathon sessions, making it particularly effective for students with ADHD, dyslexia, or those who struggle with traditional writing programs. Each level includes video instruction, a consumable student workbook, and a teacher handbook with grading rubrics, requiring virtually no parent prep since Mr. Stephens teaches directly to students through the videos. The secular, neutral curriculum focuses on grammar in elementary levels before shifting to composition work in middle and high school, with lessons typically taking 20-40 minutes depending on grade level. High school students can pair Essentials in Writing with the companion Essentials in Literature program (covering literary analysis through classic novels and short stories) to earn a complete English credit, and families appreciate that multiple children can use the same level when working together on discussions and peer review. Parents value the independent learning format that frees them from teaching writing, though some families invest in the optional Scoring Service for middle and high school to receive professional feedback on compositions. The incremental, repetitive approach builds confidence in struggling writers but may feel slow-paced for advanced students who grasp concepts quickly. Sample lessons are available on the publisher's website to help determine if the step-by-step teaching style and video-workbook format match your student's needs.