IEW Structure and Style for Students

Institute for Excellence in Writing Grades 3-12 Updated August 2026

Who it fits

A proven, structured method that walks a reluctant or anxious writer through every step, with video doing the teaching. Families wanting open-ended creative writing or a low-cost option will find it constraining.

How it scores

Rigor
?

How demanding the material is versus grade level. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:

  1. 1gentle, below grade
  2. 2relaxed
  3. 3on grade
  4. 4demanding
  5. 5advanced
Read the rigor guide
Parent involvement
?

How much the parent is present and teaching. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:

  1. 1hands-off
  2. 2light
  3. 3shared
  4. 4leading
  5. 5parent-taught
Read the parent involvement guide
Prep load
?

How much the parent prepares before a lesson. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:

  1. 1open-and-go
  2. 2minimal
  3. 3moderate
  4. 4involved
  5. 5heavy
Read the prep load guide
Screen time
?

How much daily work is on a device. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:

  1. 1fully offline
  2. 2mostly offline
  3. 3blended
  4. 4mostly digital
  5. 5fully digital
Read the screen time guide
Independence
?

How much the child can do alone. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:

  1. 1adult-led
  2. 2guided
  3. 3semi-independent
  4. 4mostly independent
  5. 5fully independent
Read the independence guide
Time commitment
?

How long a daily lesson takes the child. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:

  1. 1under 15 min
  2. 215 to 25 min
  3. 325 to 40 min
  4. 440 to 60 min
  5. 560+ min
Read the time commitment guide

At a glance

Faith content None
Approach Spiral
Format Workbook Andrew Pudewa teaches the lessons on streaming video or DVD while students follow along in a tabbed binder and consumable packet. The nine structural units and the stylistic checklist repeat and deepen across three year-long levels.
Used as Spine
Philosophy Classical Structured writing
Best for Reluctant learnersStruggling learnersMulti-age families

What parents consistently praise

  • Pudewa's videos are funny and hold kids' attention
  • Checklists show exactly what earns the grade
  • Structure gives nervous writers a way in
  • Kids finish assignments without a parent hovering
  • Streaming license carries over to siblings

What parents report as challenges

  • Dress-ups can feel mechanical and formulaic
  • The nine units repeat from level to level
  • Grammar coverage is thin, so many add Fix It
  • The upfront price stings

How it shifts by grade

Level A is roughly grades 3-5, B is 6-8, C is 9-12, and the same student can move up a level each year. Older beginners can start at A and accelerate.

Additional notes

This is the student-direct version of the method IEW also teaches parents through Teaching Writing: Structure and Style. Fix It Grammar is the companion grammar program.

Cost

Price$169-289/course
ConsumablePartial
Per child / year~$169-289 first child, less for siblings sharing the streaming license
Check price Institute for Excellence in Writing

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Compare head to head

Descriptions aggregate what homeschool parents consistently report across public community sources (forums, Facebook groups, Reddit, and long-form reviews) together with the publisher's own materials. Prices and editions change over time.

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