Millions of students will soon return to school armed with notebooks, pens and other tools to help them academically succeed. Yet they may be missing the one tool that can make a huge difference, a tool that gives them the attitude to excel in writing.

Writing is an essential skill. Students can learn the mechanics and rules, but they often lack motivation and confidence. The result is poor performance, not because they have not learned, but because they do not express what they have learned effectively......