Background
Hari Narayanan, a Class of 2026 student, has been working with Dewey Smart since 8th grade. With the guidance of his tutor Rachel, he developed stronger grammar and essay writing skills that helped him excel in his English Honors class.
The Challenge
Organizing Ideas
Grammar Struggles
Application Essays & NarrativeBefore starting with Dewey Smart, Hari faced significant challenges in his English classes. Grammar rules felt confusing and inconsistent, which made his writing error-prone and left him frustrated when trying to edit his own work. When it came to essays, he struggled not only with grammar but also with articulating his ideas clearly. His thoughts were often strong, but he lacked the structure to connect them into a coherent, persuasive essay. This created added pressure in his English Honors class, where expectations were higher and assignments required more refined writing.
As a result, Hari felt his confidence dip whenever major writing projects were assigned. He needed guidance to learn how to break down writing tasks, organize his thoughts effectively, and polish his essays in a way that reflected his true abilities. Without additional support, the risk was falling behind his peers and struggling to maintain strong grades in advanced English coursework.
Goals
- Strengthen English grammar fundamentals
- Develop confidence and clarity in essay writing
- Learn strategies for organizing and structuring ideas effectively
- Maintain an A average in English Honors
The Strategy
Hari began working with Rachel in 8th grade, and over time, she became a consistent source of academic support and mentorship. Rachel focused first on the basics — reinforcing grammar fundamentals and identifying recurring mistakes — which gave Hari a stronger foundation for his writing. She then moved into essay writing, where she guided him step by step: brainstorming ideas, creating outlines, writing drafts, and revising for clarity and flow.
Rachel’s feedback was always timely and detailed, pointing out both strengths and areas for improvement. By walking Hari through the reasoning behind revisions, she helped him internalize good writing habits rather than just correcting errors. Over time, he learned how to approach essays with more structure, using outlines to organize his arguments and transition smoothly between ideas.
Another key part of their strategy was consistency. Weekly sessions ensured that Hari stayed accountable, while Rachel adjusted lessons to match his school assignments and evolving needs. When larger projects or essays were due, Rachel provided extra guidance to help him manage deadlines and reduce stress. This combination of grammar instruction, structured essay practice, and responsive support gave Hari the tools to succeed in an advanced English environment.
Key Result
With Rachel’s guidance and Dewey Smart’s structured support, Hari has maintained an A average in his English Honors class. He now approaches grammar exercises and essay assignments with confidence, showing clear growth in both technical accuracy and written expression.