IEW (Teaching Writing: Structure & Style)
Institute for Excellence in Writing · Andrew Pudewa · Grades 1-12
Reluctant, resistant, or frozen writers who need explicit scaffolding; boys (disproportionately cited); students entering classical programs mid-stream needing catch-up; families wanting video-based instruction where Andrew Pudewa does the teaching
$189 seminar set
Overview
IEW is the most widely recommended writing program in classical and Christian homeschool circles, built around Andrew Pudewa's two-pillar 'Structure and Style' methodology. The parent watches a video training course first; the student then works through theme-based writing assignments using IEW's nine structural models. Highly scripted and explicitly teachable: the parent doesn't need to be a writer themselves. Levels A/B/C correspond loosely to elementary, middle, and high school. The program transforms reluctant writers but feels formulaic to natural-writer kids who chafe at the structure.
Strengths
- •Video-based instruction removes parent from being 'bad guy' of writing
- •Keyword outline method unlocks blocked writers
- •produces measurable visible progress
- •scalable elementary through high school
- •works well paired with classical programs (Veritas, Classical Conversations)
- •explicit grading rubrics
Limitations
- •The 'formulaic writing' criticism is real: 'you can always tell an IEW student'
- •NOT a complete LA program (no grammar/spelling/vocabulary)
- •expensive with theme-based add-ons
- •creative and advanced writers often plateau or regress in voice
- •high school IEW feels redundant for students who internalized methods in elementary
Best fit for
Reluctant, resistant, or frozen writers who need explicit scaffolding; boys (disproportionately cited); students entering classical programs mid-stream needing catch-up; families wanting video-based instruction where Andrew Pudewa does the teaching
What's in the line
5 separate products in this brand. Pick the right one for your child's age and stage.
Teaching Writing: Structure & Style (parent course)
Adult · Teacher
The foundational training video course for parents/teachers. Watch before doing student-level work.
Theme-Based Writing Lessons (various)
8-17 · 3rd-12th
Topic-based books. Ancient History, Medieval, U.S. History, Science, etc. Pick what aligns with your year.
The honest read
Polarizes the community: defenders say it reliably produces functional writers out of reluctant students because the keyword outline removes the 'blank page' problem. Critics say the formula produces audibly formulaic writing and gifted writers find the dress-up checklist constraining. Both camps are largely right. It's a tool for getting writing started, not for producing voice.
Get IEW (Teaching Writing: Structure & Style)
Reluctant, resistant, or frozen writers who need explicit scaffolding; boys (disproportionately cited); students entering classical programs mid-stream needing catch-up; families wanting video-based instruction where Andrew Pudewa does the teaching
SHOPRelated in Language Arts
IEW (Teaching Writing: Structure & Style)
$189 seminar set