Touchstone 1: Personal Essay ASSIGNMENT: Describe a time in your
academic or pro
Touchstone 1: Personal EssayASSIGNMENT: Describe a time in your academic or
professional career when you used one of the employability skills below.The innovation
skill, which helps you use strategies to develop your ideas and create changeThe
communication skill, which helps you effectively write about information, your ideas, and
your perspectiveThe productivity skill, which helps you plan your time and your writingThe
technology skill, which help you use digital tools and devices to document your writing
efficiently and effectivelyWrite a 3-4 page narrative paper (with an introduction, at least
three body paragraphs, and a conclusion) that describes this event. Some examples could
include:Firsts: Think of a “first” in your academic/professional career when you used your
chosen skill, and describe that moment in detail.Proud moments: Choose a moment when
you felt proud about an accomplishment that was made possible by using one of the above
skills.Adversity: Describe a time when you had to think or act quickly to overcome a
challenge using one of the above skills.In your introduction, explain the scenario. In your
body paragraphs, describe the employability skill you used and how it was used in your
specific event. Describe the benefits or shortcomings of using this skill and how the skill
contributed to your success; or alternatively, how it could have been utilized differently to
achieve greater success. In your conclusion, describe what you learned about yourself
through the experience and how you plan to utilize this skill in the future.In order to foster
learning and growth, all essays you submit must be newly written specifically for this
course. Any recycled work will be sent back with a 0, and you will be given one attempt to
redo the Touchstone.A. Assignment GuidelinesDIRECTIONS: Create a 3-4 page personal
essay in which you:Explain the scenario you have chosen.Describe the chosen employability
skill and how it was used in the scenario.Describe the benefits or shortcomings of using this
skill and how it contributed to any success.How could it have been used differently to
achieve greater success?Describe what you learned about yourself throughout this
scenario.Minimize mechanical and stylistic errors.Complete the reflection questions listed
below.B. Reflection QuestionsDIRECTIONS: Below your assignment, include answers to all
of the following reflection questions.Consider the early stages of your writing process. What
brainstorming and prewriting activities did you engage in to compose your narrative? How
did they help you begin formulating your ideas? How do you anticipate that these steps will
make the writing process more productive? (4-5 sentences)Consider the skill you chose as a

topic. Why did you pick this particular skill? What about it are you looking forward to
exploring as you work on your later assignments in this course? (3-4 sentences)