Read Strategically
Identify central ideas, significant details, evidence, and relationships among concepts in challenging texts.
GRADES 9–12 · PERSONALIZED ONE-ON-ONE INSTRUCTION
High School Reading & Writing
Read Deeply.
Think Clearly.
Write with Purpose.
Build the advanced reading and analytical skills behind strong academic writing. Learn to organize complex ideas, trace causal connections, and develop clear, defensible theses—with individual instruction tailored to your assignments and goals.
Live Online · 60-Minute Sessions · $100 per Session
Book a single session or ongoing instruction.
Instruction withDavid Marrufo, M.A.
B.A. English, Highest Honors · UC Berkeley
M.A. Philosophy · San Francisco State University
The Approach 01 / 03
From Reading to Analysis to Writing
Strong writing begins with careful reading and clear thinking. Each session connects those skills to the work in front of the student.
Analyze Deeply
Organize ideas, trace causal connections, examine assumptions, and develop interpretations supported by evidence.
Write Precisely
Turn analysis into a sophisticated thesis, a coherent structure, and clear paragraphs that explain how the evidence supports the argument.
Sessions can begin with a current assignment or focus on a skill the student wants to strengthen. Instruction helps students develop methods they can apply independently to future work.
Classes & Assignments 02 / 03
Advanced Skills for Demanding Classes
Classes
- English and Honors English
- AP English Language and Composition
- AP English Literature and Composition
- AP Seminar
- AP World History
- Other AP humanities and writing-intensive courses
Assignment types
- Literary and historical analysis
- Argumentative and analytical essays
- Research papers
- Source comparison and synthesis
- Thesis development and essay organization
- Evidence integration, commentary, and revision
How Sessions Work 03 / 03
A Focused Hour, Built Around Your Goals
Start with a specific assignment or a skill you want to strengthen. Each session is arranged directly with David.
Share Your Goals
Tell David about the class, assignment, or skills you want to develop.
Confirm Your Session
David confirms fit and availability and provides payment and meeting details.
Work One-on-One
Meet live online for focused instruction using your assignment, text, or draft.
Before your session
Have an assignment prompt, rubric, reading, or draft? Share it before the session so instruction can address your needs.
Meet Your Instructor
Twenty Years of Teaching Reading, Reasoning, and Analysis
David Marrufo, M.A.
I earned a B.A. in English with Highest Honors from UC Berkeley and an M.A. in Philosophy from San Francisco State University. My background in literature and philosophy shapes how I teach students to read closely, reason carefully, and develop clear arguments.
Demanding high school assignments require students to do more than understand a text. They need to organize complex ideas, trace conceptual and causal connections, evaluate evidence, and develop a thesis that gives their essay a clear direction. I teach strategies that make these steps explicit and connect careful reading to strong academic writing.
One-on-one instruction lets me hear a student’s reasoning, identify where an interpretation or argument needs development, and provide immediate guidance. We can work with a current assignment, source text, or draft while building methods the student can apply independently to future work.
20+ Years
Teaching reading, English, comprehension, and tutoring
- UC Berkeley
B.A. in English
Highest Honors
- San Francisco State University
M.A. in Philosophy
Grades 9–12
Individual instruction in advanced reading, analysis, and academic writing
Sessions & Pricing
Individual Instruction, One Session at a Time
Get focused help with the assignment at hand or build your skills through ongoing sessions.
Individual Online Session
$100
60 minutes · One student · Live online
Personalized live online instruction from a San Francisco Bay Area educator for students throughout the region and other Pacific-time communities.
Book a single session for a specific assignment or arrange ongoing instruction to strengthen reading, analysis, and writing.
Request a Session No course enrollment or multi-session commitment required.SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA · LIVE ONLINE
High School Reading and Writing Support Across the SF Bay Area
Students throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and other communities in Pacific Time can receive individualized support for Honors and AP English, AP Seminar, humanities courses, research writing, and application essays. Online instruction removes the geographic limits of traditional tutoring while preserving direct, live interaction with an experienced instructor.
Explore all SF Bay Area reading and writing programsFrequently Asked Questions
Before Your First Session
Can we book just one session?
Yes. Single sessions and ongoing instruction are available.
Does my child need to complete ARC I or ARC II first?
No. This service is available directly to high school students.
Can sessions focus on a current school assignment?
Yes. Students may bring the assignment prompt, rubric, relevant texts, and any work already completed.
Do you help with advanced classes?
Yes. Instruction can address reading, analysis, and writing assignments in Honors English, AP English, AP Seminar, AP World History, and other humanities courses.
Will David write the essay for the student?
Students develop their own work. David teaches strategies, asks guiding questions, and provides feedback to help students think and write independently.
How do we arrange ongoing sessions?
Indicate interest in ongoing instruction when requesting a session. Scheduling is confirmed directly with David.
Request a Session
Request a Reading & Writing Session
Tell me about your student’s class, assignment, or goals and your preferred availability. I’ll follow up to confirm fit and arrange a session.
$100 per 60-minute session · One-on-one · Live onlineSession RequestHigh School Reading & Writing
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