Prepare for College Writing with BetterRhetor

We received a free copy of the full package BetterRhetor online course in exchange for our review. It is published by College-Ready Writing Essentials™. All opinions are based on our family’s use of this product.

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Prepare for College Writing with BetterRhetor: A Curriculum Review

Are you looking for writing essentials that will prepare your students for college and university level writing? Maybe you feel out of your depth in teaching writing in a modern technologically advanced world filled with citing digital resources and websites.  You don’t want your kids to fall behind in their academics. You know writing & critical thinking skills are key to success in higher education and life. 

I was feeling much the same.

Now, having spent 4 weeks working through this 5-week online, digital course, I’m thrilled that my daughter is confident in her writing abilities. The BetterRhetor program has helped her weave together thoughts, ideas, and passions with resources to support a written persuasive essay in a way that was thought-provoking but not mind-numbing for her.

Over the last 4 weeks, the BetterRhetor course has systematically walked my daughter through every step of creating an excellent essay.  From the first ideas of inspiration to the final draft (well that comes next week, but we are almost there!).

I have to honestly say I was excited to see what she turned in each week. Her ideas and writing gave me insight into her passions, character, and position on a difficult subject matter of her own choosing.  I enjoyed watching her take an idea she was passionate about and create an outstanding paper for a Freshman in high school. 

The unique beauty of the BetterRhetor course is in its approach.  There are no assignments like, “Write a 1,000-word persuasive essay on…(insert boring subject student doesn’t care about here).

The author of BetterRhetor takes a different approach by exploring the students’ interests and guiding them through the process of creating their paper during these course modules: 

  • Planning
  • Drafting
  • Revising, and
  • Finalizing

Each of the above sections has well thought out lessons that explore topics such as:

  • Reading perceptively
  • Connecting a specific issue to a general concern
  • Taking a position
  • Conducting peer reviews
  • Understanding supporting arguments & counterarguments
  • How to conduct a self-review of an essay and revise
  • The final paper product

Here’s a snapshot of part of the peer review done by my daughter’s friend.


Overall, the BetterRhetor course is well laid out and authoritative.  The author explains in an easy to understand manner what is expected in a college-level essay and how to accomplish the end goal. I especially appreciated that they regularly discuss why it is important to write to the expectation of the reader (in this case, your college professors).

Good writers build ethos by demonstrating they are trustworthy…, knowledgeable…, and thoughtful. ~ College-Ready Writing Essentials™

I’ll admit, sometimes it is difficult to help my teen understand the importance of good writing habits. All too often writing skills are blown off as ‘old school’ in exchange for technologically savvy presentations or videos.  

Don’t get me wrong, our kids need to be able to succeed with technology as well. However, being able to organize their thoughts and ideas, and express them in a logical, informative manner is the foundation of any good presentation.

BetterRhetor is the perfect online digital course to accomplish this mammoth task. With lifetime access, it is available to use with your entire family. You might even decide to use the course annually with a new topic of choice for the student to write about each year.

I highly and wholeheartedly recommend BetterRhetor for highschool writing. You will find it to be easy to follow, enjoyable for the student, and helpful in understanding the quality and expectation necessary for college writing success.

Their downloadable bonus, “Guide to the Culture of College Academics,” is invaluable to both students and parents.

Read more about BetterRhetor and what other families homeschooling through the high school are saying.

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