IEW Review: Is Institute for Excellence in Writing Worth It?

“I don’t know what to write.” If you’ve heard this from your child approximately 47,000 times, you’re not alone. Writing instruction might be the single most frustrating subject for homeschool families.

That’s what drew me to IEW—the Institute for Excellence in Writing. The program promised to turn reluctant writers into confident ones using a structured approach. After three years of using it with my kids, I can tell you exactly what works, what doesn’t, and whether it’s worth the investment.

Here’s my complete, honest IEW review based on real-world experience.

What Is IEW?

IEW stands for Institute for Excellence in Writing, founded by Andrew Pudewa. The program teaches writing through what they call “Structure and Style”—basically, a systematic method that breaks down the writing process into learnable, repeatable steps.

Instead of telling kids to “write about your summer vacation” and hoping for the best, IEW teaches specific techniques. Students learn structural models (different ways to organize their thoughts) and stylistic techniques (ways to make prose interesting). Then they apply these tools to actual composition assignments.

The philosophy behind IEW is that creativity flows better with structure. Just like musicians learn scales before improvising jazz, writers need foundational skills before creative expression becomes natural. This approach aligns with research-backed composition instruction principles that have been teaching effective communication for centuries.

IEW offers several product lines:

• Teaching Writing: Structure and Style (TWSS): The foundational course that trains parents to teach writing
• Student Writing Intensive (SWI): Video-based lessons where Andrew Pudewa teaches students directly
• Theme-based courses: Composition instruction built around specific topics (history, science, etc.)
• Fix It! Grammar: Grammar instruction through editing (technically separate but pairs perfectly)

Key Features of IEW

Before diving into how the method works, here’s a practical overview of what IEW offers:

• Grade range: Grades 3-12 (with Primary Arts of Language for younger students)
• Lesson format: Video instruction plus workbook activities and writing assignments
• Time commitment: 2-4 hours per week depending on level
• Parent involvement: Moderate to high (reviewing drafts, providing feedback)
• Assessment method: Checklists, rubrics, and portfolio evaluation
• Flexibility: Self-paced with suggested weekly schedule

How the Structure and Style Method Works

Let me break down what actually happens in an IEW lesson, because this is where the magic (or frustration) happens.

The Nine Structural Models

IEW teaches nine different ways to structure writing. Students master them one at a time, roughly in this order:

1. Note-taking and outlining: The foundation—learning to extract key information
2. Summarizing narrative stories: Retelling stories in your own words
3. Summarizing references: Writing about non-fiction topics using source material
4. Library research: Finding and synthesizing multiple sources
5. Creative writing: Original stories using learned structures
6. Critiques: Analyzing and responding to texts
7. Essays: Formal academic writing
8. Comparison essays: Analyzing similarities and differences
9. Persuasive essays: Making and defending arguments

Each model builds on previous ones. By the time students reach persuasive essays, they’ve internalized tools from all the earlier models.

Stylistic Techniques

Structure isn’t enough—writing also needs style. IEW introduces stylistic techniques gradually, including:

• Dress-ups: Required elements that improve sentences (strong verbs, quality adjectives, adverb clauses, etc.)
• Sentence openers: Different ways to begin sentences for variety
• Decorations: Advanced techniques like alliteration, similes, and metaphors

Students track which techniques they use through a checklist system. At first, this feels mechanical. Over time, the techniques become natural parts of their composition toolkit.

What’s Included When You Buy IEW

The exact contents depend on which product you choose. Here’s what the most popular options include:

Student Writing Intensive (Most Popular)

This is what most homeschool families buy first. It includes:

• DVDs (or streaming access) with Andrew Pudewa teaching students directly
• Student workbook with handouts, checklists, and structured activities
• Teacher/parent guide with lesson notes and scope and sequence charts
• Source texts and reference materials for writing assignments

Unlike traditional textbook approaches, IEW uses a workbook format where students complete structured activities alongside video instruction. The scope of the program covers everything from basic paragraph construction to multi-page research papers, with a clear schedule suggesting how to pace lessons throughout the school year.

Students watch the videos, complete the workbook activities, and parents review their work. It’s more independent than some writing programs, though younger students still need parent involvement.

Teaching Writing: Structure and Style

This is the parent training course. It teaches YOU how to teach writing using IEW methods. You watch seminar videos, learn the techniques yourself, and then guide your children through assignments.

This approach takes more parent time upfront but gives you flexibility to adapt lessons for multiple children of different ages.

A Typical IEW Lesson in Our House

Here’s what composition time actually looks like for us:

Day 1 (30-40 minutes): My son watches a video lesson. He takes notes in his student packet. The video introduces a new concept or reviews previous techniques.

Day 2 (20-30 minutes): He works on the outlining stage of his assignment. Using a source text, he identifies key points and creates a structured outline using IEW’s keyword system.

Day 3 (30-45 minutes): He writes his rough draft from the outline. He checks off required stylistic elements on his checklist—two strong verbs, one adverb clause, varied sentence openers, etc.

Day 4 (15-20 minutes): He reads his draft aloud (catches more errors this way) and makes revisions. I review it with him, noting what works and what needs adjustment.

Some weeks are lighter, some heavier. Over the past three years, we’ve averaged about 2-2.5 hours of composition work weekly. That’s roughly 90-100 hours per school year—a significant but manageable commitment.

Key Advantages of IEW

After three years, here’s what genuinely impresses me about this program. These advantages make IEW stand out from other writing curricula:

It Eliminates Blank Page Syndrome

Remember my son staring at empty paper for 40 minutes? That doesn’t happen anymore. The IEW method gives students a concrete starting point—source material to work with, an outline format to follow, a checklist of elements to include.

Some people criticize this as formulaic. However, for kids who freeze up when faced with “just write something,” having a formula is liberating. As a result, they know exactly what to do. The creative freedom can come later, once the foundational skills are solid.

Students Actually Improve

I’ve watched my kids’ writing transform over time. For instance, their sentences are more varied. Furthermore, their vocabulary has expanded (those strong verb requirements force them to move beyond “said” and “went”). They can structure arguments logically and know how to support points with evidence.

These aren’t just homeschool mom opinions—standardized test scores confirmed the improvement. My daughter’s standardized test writing score jumped from the 65th percentile to the 89th percentile after one year with IEW. That’s the kind of measurable progress that justifies the investment.

Andrew Pudewa Is an Engaging Teacher

If your kids watch the Student Writing Intensive videos, they’ll see Andrew Pudewa teach. He’s funny, energetic, and genuinely passionate about writing. Even my reluctant son stayed engaged during the video lessons.

Pudewa has a gift for making abstract concepts concrete. In fact, he uses memorable examples and analogies that stick. Years later, my kids still remember his teaching stories.

The Method Transfers to Any Writing

Once students internalize IEW techniques, they can apply them anywhere. Science reports? Use the summarizing references structure. English essay? Apply the critique model. College application? Draw on persuasive essay techniques.

This transferability makes IEW a solid long-term investment. Students aren’t just learning to complete IEW assignments—they’re developing skills that work for any writing task.

Works Well for Multiple Ages

One parent training course (TWSS) can be used with all your children at appropriate levels. You adjust the complexity of source texts and expectations while using the same underlying method.

As a result, this saves money compared to buying separate language arts curricula for each child. Additionally, it simplifies planning since you’re working within a single system.

Potential Disadvantages of IEW

No curriculum is perfect. Here are the main disadvantages you should consider before purchasing:

The Learning Curve Is Steep

IEW isn’t intuitive. You can’t just open it and start teaching. Whether you choose the parent training or student videos, there’s a significant upfront investment of time to understand the method.

I spent hours watching the TWSS videos before I felt confident teaching. Even then, our first few months were rocky as we figured out the rhythm—and this is one of the common homeschooling mistakes to avoid. If you’re in your first year of homeschooling, the additional complexity might be overwhelming.

It Can Feel Formulaic

The checklist approach bothers some families. Students must include specific elements in each paper—two strong verbs, one “who/which clause,” varied sentence openers. This ensures they practice techniques, but it can make writing feel mechanical.

Over time, most students internalize the techniques and the writing flows more naturally. But the early stages definitely have a “paint by numbers” quality.

Not Literature-Based

If you want writing instruction woven through beautiful literature, that’s not IEW. While they do offer theme-based courses tied to historical periods, the core program focuses on skills over literary appreciation.

Many families supplement IEW with separate literature studies, which works fine but means more planning.

The Cost Adds Up

A single level of Student Writing Intensive runs $169-$219 depending on format. The parent training course (TWSS) costs around $199. Theme-based programs vary from $89-$179.

For families on tight budgets, this represents a significant investment. You can reuse materials with younger siblings, which helps, but the initial outlay is substantial.

Requires Parent Involvement

Even with the student video courses, IEW isn’t truly independent. Parents need to review drafts, provide feedback, and sometimes guide struggling students through assignments.

If you’re homeschooling while working, the time commitment might be challenging. Some weeks, reviewing and discussing my kids’ papers took 30+ minutes per child.

Who Should Use IEW?

Based on my experience, here’s who benefits most. If you’re still figuring out how to choose your homeschool curriculum, consider these factors:

Great Fit If:

• Your child freezes when asked to write
• You want a systematic, sequential approach
• Your student needs explicit instruction (won’t absorb writing skills naturally)
• You’re comfortable with the learning curve investment
• You have multiple children who can share materials
• Your goals include strong academic and test writing
• You (the parent) are willing to engage with feedback and revision

Might Not Be Ideal If:

• Your child already writes confidently and creatively
• You prefer literature-based, gentle approaches
• You want a fully independent program with no parent involvement
• Formulaic methods frustrate your particular learner
• Your budget is very tight
• You’re overwhelmed and need simpler curriculum

IEW vs. Other Writing Programs

How does IEW compare to alternatives?

Program	Approach	Cost	Best For
IEW	Structure and style	$169-$299	Reluctant writers, systematic learners
Brave Writer	Creative, lifestyle	$200-$400	Creative kids, gentle approach
WriteShop	Hands-on, step-by-step	$65-$100	Kinesthetic learners, younger writers
Writing With Ease	Charlotte Mason	$30-$40	Classical ed, literature lovers

IEW vs. Brave Writer

These programs take completely opposite approaches. IEW provides structure and checklists; Brave Writer emphasizes creative freedom and personal voice.

For kids who shut down with traditional methods, Brave Writer’s gentle approach might work better. But for kids who need explicit instruction—tell me exactly what to do—IEW wins.

Some families use both: IEW for academic writing skills, Brave Writer for creative expression. It’s a bigger time investment, but addresses different aspects of writing.

IEW vs. WriteShop

WriteShop is more hands-on and works better for younger students (elementary). IEW is more academic and shines in middle and high school years.

If you’re starting writing instruction with an 8-year-old, WriteShop might be easier. If your 12-year-old has never had formal writing training, IEW’s systematic approach catches them up quickly.

Tips for IEW Success

After three years, here’s what I’ve learned:

Watch the Parent Training First

Even if you buy the student videos, consider also getting TWSS. Understanding the method yourself makes you a better composition coach. You’ll spot issues in your child’s work more easily and explain concepts more clearly.

Go Slowly at First

Don’t rush through the early units trying to “catch up.” The foundational skills (keyword outlining, basic dress-ups) need time to become automatic. Students who master these early concepts thoroughly progress much faster through advanced units. Spending extra weeks on early material pays off significantly later when tackling complex essay structures.

Use the Checklists

The stylistic technique checklists might seem tedious, but they work. Students who diligently check off required elements improve faster than those who don’t. Embrace the system.

Read Drafts Aloud

Have your child read their writing aloud before submitting. They’ll catch awkward phrasing, missing words, and rhythm problems that silent reading misses. This simple habit improves overall quality dramatically.

Be Patient with the Learning Curve

The first few months might feel messy. That’s normal. By month three or four, most families hit their stride. Don’t give up before the method clicks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age should I start IEW?

Most families start formal IEW instruction around third or fourth grade (ages 8-10). Younger children can do the Primary Arts of Language program, which introduces basic concepts more gently. The core program works well through high school.

Is IEW secular or religious?

IEW itself is secular in methodology, though the company has Christian roots. The source texts in some programs include religious content (Bible stories, classical Christian texts), but many options use secular material. Their Student Writing Intensive and theme-based courses offer various source text choices, so check specific products before purchasing if this matters to your family.

How long does an IEW level take?

The Student Writing Intensive levels are designed for one school year of instruction (approximately 30 weeks). You can go faster or slower based on your student’s needs. Some families stretch it longer for younger or struggling students.

Can IEW work for reluctant writers?

Yes—this is actually IEW’s strength. The structured approach reduces the anxiety of facing blank pages. Students know exactly what’s expected, which helps reluctant writers get started. That said, no program works for every child. Some kids resist any formal writing instruction regardless of method.

Do I need to buy Fix It! Grammar too?

Not necessarily, but it pairs beautifully with IEW. Fix It! teaches grammar through editing passages rather than isolated exercises, which complements the IEW writing method. Many families use both together.

Is IEW enough for college preparation?

For most students, yes. The structure and style method teaches exactly the skills needed for academic writing. Students who complete multiple years of IEW typically enter college with solid writing foundations. Some families add additional essay practice specifically for college applications.

Summary and Final Verdict

Is IEW worth the investment? For our family, absolutely.

My kids went from dreading writing to handling it competently. They’re not writing poetry for fun, but they can produce clear, organized essays without meltdowns. They can tackle research papers, book reports, and even timed writing assessments with confidence. For a homeschool family juggling multiple subjects and teaching multiple children, that’s a significant win.

The learning curve is real, and the cost isn’t trivial. But the systematic approach genuinely works. If your child struggles with writing—or if you struggle to teach it—IEW provides a clear path forward. For those just starting their homeschool journey, it’s worth considering once you’ve established your basic routine.

The structure doesn’t stifle creativity; it provides scaffolding. Once students master the basics, they have tools to express ideas more effectively than they could with pure free-writing.

My Rating: 4.5/5

What I’d change: Lower price point for the initial investment. More secular source text options in the theme-based programs.

Who should buy it: Families with reluctant writers, students who need explicit instruction, parents willing to invest time in learning the method, anyone preparing kids for academic writing.

Who might skip it: Families with naturally gifted writers who don’t need systematic instruction, those on very tight budgets, families wanting purely literature-based approaches.

Ready to explore further? Visit IEW’s website for placement guidance and sample lessons. They offer free downloads so you can experience the method before committing. For research on effective writing instruction methods, the What Works Clearinghouse practice guide on teaching writing from the Institute of Education Sciences validates many of the structured approaches IEW uses.