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Two homeschool language arts programs, compared on what actually decides the fit: what each one teaches, how your child feels about writing, and how much you'll teach.
Updated September 2026 · based on parent reviews and publisher information
Still torn? Answer a few questions and see how both rank for your child, side by side.
Compare for my child| IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing) | Essentials in Writing | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | 3rd–12th | 1st–12th |
| Covers | writing | grammar, writing |
| Approach | Video-based, structured writing method | Video-based grammar and writing combined |
| Who teaches | The program does the teaching | The program does the teaching |
| Parent prep | Moderate (watch video lessons together, grade written work) | Low (video does the teaching) |
| Screen time | A mix of screen and paper | A mix of screen and paper |
| Video lessons | Included: video lessons are the core teaching method | Included: video lessons cover grammar and writing |
| Faith | No religious content | No religious content |
| Cost | Basic package (with videos) $169; Premier (+parent training) $289; Student Packet ~$50 | About $67-89 per course depending on video+digital vs. video+print format |
| Parents love |
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| Common complaints |
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Parents value how the video instructor takes over the teaching: Andrew Pudewa walks through nine structural writing models that get applied to any subject, so the same method works for a history report or a science summary. The most common frustration is that the nine models repeat across levels, which some kids find formulaic, and the cost adds up once you add Fix It! Grammar and student packets.
Parents like that video lessons cover both grammar and writing in one affordable course, so a parent who's rusty on grammar doesn't have to teach it directly. Independent coverage of this program is thinner than most others on this list, and it's a newer, less widely known program than IEW or Brave Writer, though families who use it report clear, step-by-step instruction.
Neither is better for every child. IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing) is the stronger fit for some families. Essentials in Writing is the stronger fit for grammar; a complete program; reluctant or avoids it.
IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing): writing. Essentials in Writing: grammar, writing.
IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing): Basic package (with videos) $169; Premier (+parent training) $289; Student Packet ~$50. Essentials in Writing: About $67-89 per course depending on video+digital vs. video+print format.
Summaries are in our own words.