Why Your 9th Grader Should Practice Essay Writing Now

Whether or not your high schooler enjoys writing, it’s a skill she’ll need to master. As you probably know, writing is something your student will be doing throughout high school—and the rest of her life. So, how can you help her practice and master the art of essay writing now—and why does she need to start early? Read on to find out.

Writing is an essential skill your student will need throughout high school and college.

In college, your student will be doing a lot of writing. While she may not be writing at a college level now, it’s not too early to start developing the skills she will need then, since her instructor will expect her to have mastered at least the basics.

Read How to Prepare for College-Level Writing in High School for advice.

But writing isn’t just something your student will need to do in college. She’ll also need to do it in high school. She should start getting into the habit of working on crafting formal essays now so she won’t have to learn as many new skills later.

It will gear your teen up for the SAT.

The SAT has a Writing and Language section. Plus, if your child chooses to complete the SAT Essay (or ACT Writing), she’ll need to learn how to compose a structured essay and make a solid argument for the test.

Gaining practice with essay writing prepares your high schooler for standardized test writing since she’ll have experience developing ideas and brainstorming quickly.

It will get your high schooler’s ideas flowing for the college essay.

How your student says it is more important than what she says. Practicing now will allow her to learn how to develop ideas, use rhetorical devices, and learn language nuances. Check out How to Write an Impressive College Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide for tips on crafting a stellar essay.

Your student will also learn how to “speak” to her audience, avoid cliches, and write according to her audience’s needs.

It will build and provide an outlet for creativity.

Writing is an important tool for self-expression. It’s probably not news to you that teens have angst, and it can be helpful to let out their feelings on paper. Your student doesn’t need to limit her writing to formal essays, either; journaling, creative writing, and blogging can also serve as outlets. Read 10 Easy Ways to Help Your Teen Become a Better Writer for more ideas.

If your high schooler is passionate about writing as an art, check out Creative Writing Opportunities for High School Students to find out about activities and programs to help her hone her talent.

It will prepare your student for the real world.

Writing is necessary for nearly every career. Even if your student isn’t planning on going into a humanities field, she’ll still need strong writing skills for tasks like emails, reports, and general daily communication.

If your student does want to pursue a career in the humanities, she will need writing even more. (Be sure to check out 15 Surprising Career Opportunities for Potential Humanities Majors for career-path ideas.)

Why Writing Matters

Writing is one of the most important skills your child will need throughout her life—from high school into her career. That’s why it’s imperative for her to start mastering it now. Encourage your student to write both inside and outside of school. There are plenty of outlets beyond formal essay writing to help her hone her craft. Who knows? She may even find that it’s her calling.

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.