Writing Symphony students are taught how to think, not just what to write. Our curriculum is carefully designed to build strong writing skills through a structured, research-supported approach. What sets our program apart is that everything we teach is grounded in proven strategies that help students grow and succeed.

Outlining First: Teaching Students to Organize Their Thoughts

The very first thing students learn at Writing Symphony is how to outline. Before writing a paragraph or essay, they practice organizing their ideas. This method is not only helpful but also backed by academic research.

Studies show that prewriting strategies like outlining significantly improve the quality of student writing. Outlining helps students develop a clear structure and reduces the mental load of writing.

Reference: Graham, S., & Perin, D. (2007). “Writing Next: Effective Strategies to Improve Writing of Adolescents in Middle and High Schools.” Carnegie Corporation of New York

Short Assignments and Daily Practice

Instead of assigning long writing tasks all at once, we guide students through small, manageable writing sessions throughout the week. This approach helps students build writing stamina and develop stronger habits over time.

The National Writing Project highlights the importance of frequent, low-pressure writing practice. Regular writing builds fluency, reinforces key concepts, and allows students to grow at a steady pace.

Reference: National Writing Project & Nagin, C. (2006). “Because Writing Matters: Improving Student Writing in Our Schools.”

Feedback That Builds Confidence

Our teachers provide specific, supportive feedback in every class. This feedback is not just about correcting errors. It helps students understand how to improve and feel confident in their abilities.

A study published in the Review of Educational Research found that direct feedback is one of the most effective tools for improving student writing. Real time editing allows teachers to work with students on live edits and provide live feedback. The benefits are even greater when students have the chance to revise and apply the feedback they receive, which is exactly what happens in Writing Symphony classes.

Reference: Graham, S., Hebert, M., & Harris, K. R. (2015). “Formative assessment and writing: A meta-analysis.” Review of Educational Research, 85(3), 454–496.

Grammar in Context

Rather than teaching grammar in isolation, we focus on using grammar within the context of real writing. Students apply grammar rules to their own work, which helps them retain and use what they learn.

This approach reflects research that shows students understand grammar best when it is connected to meaningful writing tasks. Grammar is taught as a part of writing, not a separate subject. 

Reference: Myhill, D., Jones, S., Watson, A., & Lines, H. (2012). “Re-thinking grammar: The impact of embedded grammar teaching on students’ writing and metalinguistic understanding.” Research Papers in Education, 27(2), 139–166.

Writing with Purpose

Our lessons use real-world topics and source texts that help students practice analytical thinking, evidence-based writing, and organization. These are essential skills for academic success and beyond.

Research has shown that using source texts in writing assignments strengthens reasoning and builds the ability to form structured arguments. Most Writing Symphony source texts are created by real educators and written with a purpose and the curriculum in mind.

Reference: De La Paz, S., & Graham, S. (2002). “Explicitly teaching strategies, skills, and knowledge: Writing instruction in middle school classrooms.” Journal of Educational Psychology, 94(4), 687–698.

Why It Matters

When you choose Writing Symphony, you are choosing a program that is backed by research and built to support long-term success. Our lessons are carefully crafted to help students gain confidence, think critically, and write with clarity and purpose.

Ready to learn more about how Writing Symphony supports your child’s growth?

Explore our programs or schedule a free private trial class!