IEW vs Writing Strands (2026): two leading homeschool writing curricula compared

Institute for Excellence in Writing (Andrew Pudewa) is the structured Structure-and-Style writing program with explicit scaffolds. Writing Strands (Masterbooks) is the sequential writing curriculum with a gentler progression. Different scaffolding intensities.

Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) and Writing Strands are two of the most-used homeschool writing curricula in the US. IEW, founded by Andrew Pudewa, is the structured Structure-and-Style program built around explicit writing models and scaffolds (key-word outlines, dress-ups, sentence openers, decorations) that the student practices systematically across genres. Writing Strands, published by Masterbooks, is a sequential level-based writing program (Levels 1-7) with a gentler scaffolding approach focused on building writing fluency through varied composition exercises. Both produce competent writers; the scaffolding philosophy differs.

Decision rubric, side by side

Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) wins 2 · Writing Strands wins 2 · Tied on 2

Verdict

Both produce competent writers by the upper levels. IEW wins on outcome consistency and on serving reluctant writers; Writing Strands wins on cost and on respecting the student's developing writing voice. Many families try IEW first then transition to Writing Strands or Brave Writer once the structure is internalized; others use Writing Strands as the spine and add IEW techniques selectively.