What Reviewers Say

IEW Structure and Style is widely praised for transforming reluctant writers through structured, incremental approach. Cathy Duffy notes lessons 'almost guarantee success for students.' Video instruction by Andrew Pudewa is consistently highlighted as engaging and humorous. Parents appreciate IEW teaches writing for them with clear grading checklists. Criticism centers on: formulaic approach producing templated writing, forced style elements creating awkward prose, and conflict with Charlotte Mason philosophy. Requires significant time investment and upfront cost.

How It Works

A typical week begins with the student watching a 45-to-60-minute video lesson where instructor Andrew Pudewa teaches a specific writing structure or stylistic 'dress-up,' such as using an '-ly' adverb. Following the video, the parent and student work together at the table to create a 'Keyword Outline' by choosing three core words from each sentence of a provided source text. For the remainder of the week, the child spends about 20 minutes a day rewriting the piece in their own words using only their outline, ensuring they include every required stylistic element from a provided checklist. The parent acts as an editor throughout the week and uses that same checklist to grade the final draft, removing the guesswork of whether an assignment is 'good enough.'

Switching to This?

While the publisher does not offer a formal diagnostic test, they provide an online placement flow chart that categorizes students into Level A (grades 3–5), Level B (grades 6–8), or Level C (grades 9–12) based on reading level rather than writing experience. A common community rule of thumb is that any student new to the method, even a high schooler, can benefit from starting at the beginning of a level sequence because the nine units build cumulatively. Families can easily start mid-year, but they should always begin with Lesson 1 to master the foundational 'Keyword Outline' technique. If you are switching from a program that encourages 'creative' or 'free' writing, expect your child to initially resist the rigid checklists until they realize the formulas actually make the blank page less intimidating.

Curriculum Details

Price

$169 - $289

Structure and Style Basic $169 (includes videos), Premier $289 (includes parent training). Student Packet ~$50. Fix It! Grammar companion $29. Third-party live classes $500-700/year.

Grades

3 - 12

Available As

Digital Print

Coverage

Single subject

Subjects

Writing

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Pacing

Some flexibility

Parent Time

20-45 min/day

Parent Involvement

Minimal

Student Independence

Semi-independent

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Academic Level

Above grade level

Worldview

Neutral

Teach Multiple Ages

Yes

Engaging for Reluctant Learners

Yes

Videos

Reviews We Consulted

Updated: March 2026

How This Compares

Compared to Brave Writer, which prioritizes a child's natural 'voice' and creative expression, IEW is much more clinical and focuses on mastering specific technical formulas. When weighed against Essentials in Writing (EIW), both utilize video instruction, but IEW is significantly more parent-intensive and requires a higher time commitment for grading and oversight. Parents choosing between IEW and Writing Strands often find IEW better for reluctant writers who need to be told exactly what to do, whereas Writing Strands is better for students who prefer more open-ended assignments. Against The Lost Tools of Writing, IEW focuses on the mechanics of 'how' to write a paragraph, while Lost Tools is designed for older students ready to tackle the 'why' of classical rhetoric and logic. Finally, unlike comprehensive programs like K12 or Calvert, IEW is a subject-specific tool, meaning parents must still provide separate instruction for literature, spelling, and grammar.

Getting Started