The Reading & Writing Tutoring Services in NYC

Since 2002, CATES Tutoring has helped countless NYC students improve and strengthen their essential reading and writing skills to meet personal learning objectives. It is quite common for students in today’s educational landscape to struggle with reading and writing to some degree. For most people, learning to read and write is a relatively straightforward process, but some have difficulties in acquiring functional reading and writing skills in elementary school. These underdeveloped skills will then inhibit students from handling coursework in middle and high school.

By drawing on deep subject-area expertise, cutting-edge learning techniques, and unmatched interpersonal skills, CATES Tutoring’s reading and writing tutors remain dedicated to advancing each NYC student toward achieving his or her academic and educational goals. At CATES, our tutors focus on your needs and work with your schedule. Moreover, we match students with a tutor with an adaptive, holistic teaching style to maximize learning.

What are the Main Styles of Writing?

Good writing encompasses so much more than stringing a few words to form a compelling sentence. Whether trying to persuade or inform, writing allows students to articulate their ideas and positions on issues. It requires critical thinking, creativity, good vocabulary, and refined organizational skills. A writer’s style is a reflection of his or her personality, unique voice, and way of approaching the audience and readers. There are four different types of writing techniques:

1. Descriptive Writing –uses the five senses (sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch) to paint a clear picture for the reader. This writing style incorporates imagery and specific detail, and often noticed in a story as well as poetry and journals.
2. Narrative Writing –whether fact or fiction, writers use this style to tell a story. Narrative writing usually has a series of characters, often written in first-person narration, and always feature a beginning, middle, and end.
3. Persuasive Writing –to convince a reader. Unlike expository writing, persuasive writing contains the author’s opinions and biases. This style of writing is prevalent in advertisements, cover letters, book reviews, and opinion articles.
4. Expository Writing –used for explaining something to a reader. Often found in textbooks, newspapers, recipe books, editorial work, expository writing is always based around facts and information. The author should not reference personal opinions or feelings when using this writing style.

Having a clear understanding of the different types of writing techniques and the specific purpose each one serves is a critical component of communication skills in the classroom and the workplace. Functional reading and writing skills allow for the opportunity to enhance your analytical thinking skills, which is a critical problem-solving skill that students can use in higher education and any career.

Which Learning Disabilities Affect Reading & Writing Skills?

NYC students may struggle to build stronger reading and writing skills due to common learning disabilities such as Dyslexia or Dysgraphia. Students with Dyslexia often have difficulty with reading comprehension due to the brain’s inability to process language effectively. Learning disabilities such as Dyslexia can delay a Manhattan student’s test-prep progress from developing the necessary skills in reading and writing than the average high school student. The different forms of Dyslexia may also include Surface Dyslexia, Rapid Automatic Naming Dyslexia, and Double Deficit Dyslexia. Since each case of Dyslexia is unique, parents should remember that every student with these learning disabilities will display varying symptoms and unique learning challenges. Common symptoms, which will become clearer when students read an unfamiliar text, may include:

• Struggling with reading words
• Making frequent mistakes when reading
• Reading very slowly
• Reading monotonically and technically
• Difficulties understanding words, sentences, content and relationships in the text

Students living with Dysgraphia may have difficulty mastering the written language despite having formal instruction. Relating to issues with fine motor coordination, Dysgraphia – sometimes called “written expression disorder” – is a type of learning disability affecting a student’s ability to recognize forms in letters, to write letters and words on paper, or to understand the relationship between sounds, spoken words, and written letters. There are also three specific classifications of Dysgraphia:

• Dyslexia Dysgraphia: Written work is illegible, copied work is fair, and spelling is poor.
• Motor Dysgraphia: Due to motor clumsiness, written and copied work appear illegible, normal spelling & abnormal finger taping speeds.
• Spatial Dysgraphia: Due to defect in understanding space makes written work illegible, copied work illegible, normal spelling & normal tapping speed.

Luckily, students can learn to overcome their learning disabilities that prevent the development of reading and writing skills. Different students need different levels of support. Reading and writing support requires effective reading materials, one-on-one support from LD specialists, and extra learning accommodations.

Online Reading & Writing Tutoring for Students in Manhattan

The Lower East Side (or LES) is one of Manhattan’s most popular and thriving neighborhoods. Bordering nearby areas like Chinatown, Alphabet City, the Bowery, and Little Italy, the Lower East Side sports excellent dining options that will please any picky eater. The Lower East Side of NYC is home to countless breathtaking views, historic landmarks, and a diverse community. With endless options dining, shopping, and entertainment options, the LES houses a plethora of renowned attractions. Located on the East River, Corlears Hook Park provides plenty of space for outdoor fun with dog-friendly areas, baseball fields, and playgrounds. Residents will enjoy the Hester Street Fair, which emphasizes creates a welcoming space for vendors and guests alike.

Since every CATES reading and writing specialist undergoes a rigorous vetting process, we can assure NYC families that our tutors can help unlock their students’ full potential to overcome learning challenges in the classroom and on standardized exams. Whether Manhattan-based students in middle or high school prefer in-person classes or virtual tutoring sessions, CATES can meet your student’s needs regardless of his or her learning style. Dial (212) 359-4208 today to schedule a private, 1-on-1 meeting with the academic reading & writing specialists at CATES Tutoring.