Curriculum review
IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing)
by Institute for Excellence in Writing · Est. 2000
About
What it is
IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing) teaches writing through its proprietary Structure and Style method, developed by Andrew Pudewa. The approach breaks writing into two learnable components: structural models (how to organize content) and stylistic techniques (how to make writing engaging). This dual focus gives even reluctant writers a concrete, repeatable process for producing quality prose.
The curriculum is organized into three levels. Level A targets younger or beginning writers (typically grades 3-5), Level B serves intermediate students (grades 6-8), and Level C prepares students for college-level writing (grades 9-12). Each level progresses through nine structural models — from note-taking and summarizing through persuasive essays and research papers — building skills incrementally.
Andrew Pudewa's video instruction is the heart of the program. His teaching style is animated, humorous, and genuinely engaging — students watch him model each technique on screen, then practice it themselves. The Forever Streaming option provides lifetime access to all video content, eliminating recurring subscription costs.
Basic Streaming packages start around $169, Plus packages at $189, and Premier packages at $289. The Fix It! Grammar companion program adds editing skills at roughly $25-$30 per level. Total investment for a year of writing instruction typically falls between $170 and $300.
IEW works exceptionally well in co-op settings where a group of students watches the video together and then discusses their work. The structured approach gives parents who feel unsure about teaching writing a clear framework to follow. Natural writers who already produce creative, flowing prose may find the structural emphasis constraining, and Charlotte Mason families sometimes feel the method conflicts with their philosophy of organic narration.
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Common questions
Frequently asked
What grade levels does IEW cover?
IEW covers grades 3 through 12 across three levels: Level A (grades 3-5), Level B (grades 6-8), and Level C (grades 9-12). The Fix It! Grammar companion starts at grade 3 as well.
Is IEW secular or faith-based?
IEW is worldview-neutral. The writing instruction focuses on structure and style without religious content. Some source texts in specific theme-based units may reference historical religious topics, but the method itself is secular.
Can reluctant writers succeed with IEW?
Yes — IEW is specifically designed for reluctant writers. The structured approach removes the blank-page problem by giving students concrete models and techniques. Andrew Pudewa's video instruction is engaging and encouraging.
What is Forever Streaming?
Forever Streaming provides lifetime access to all IEW video instruction for the purchased level. Once bought, you never need to renew — making it economical for multi-child families who will reuse the content.
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