Touchstones: A Guided Approach to Writing Paragraphs and Essays

Using methods he developed through grant-funded research, award-winning instructor Chris Juzwiak has documented a 15% increase in basic writers’ success rates on his campus. These methods serve as the foundation for Touchstones, a paragraph-to-essay level book that begins with a focus on academic paragraphs and essays, then moves to higher-level skills such as using precise language and working with sources. Like Stepping Stones, Juzwiak’s book for the sentence-to-paragraph level, Touchstones includes scaffolded exercises and instruction, color-coded parts of speech, and creative activities that keep students engaged. By moving progressively from simple to more complex skills in each part of the book — and in each chapter — Touchstones ensures that all students feel confident in what they’re learning and empowered to continue.