DescriptionGetting StartedFor Touchstone 1, you will be writing two separate, distinct paragraphs. You will write one paragraph in the informative mode and one paragraph in the descriptive mode.The informative paragraph must be written in a non-biased tone and explain, teach, or inform. The descriptive paragraph must use sensory details to describe a person, place or object.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.Choosing a TopicFor the informative paragraph, be creative and choose a topic that you already know something about. (You do not need to conduct any research for this paragraph.) Be sure to write in an objective and non-biased manner with your intended audience and purpose in mind. You may write about any topic you wish that you know something about, however; below are some sample topics that may help you get started. The background, history, or rules of a particular game or sportThe materials, tools, background or approach for a hobby you enjoyThe action/process for an activity such as driving, planting a garden, grilling a steak, etc.The history of a place that you know a lot about (a city, state, natural attraction, etc.)A scientific process or concept that you are very familiar withFor the descriptive paragraph, use sensory language and vivid details to describe a person, a place or a thing. Sensory details describe how something looks, sounds, feels, smells or tastes. You should use precise language to “show” rather than “tell” about what you are describing. Be sure to write with your intended audience and purpose in mind. What you write about is entirely up to you as long as you use vivid details and sensory language to bring the description to life. However, below are some sample topics that may help you get started. Describe a room in your house Describe your favorite spot to spend time Describe a person who is special to you Describe a meal that you enjoy eating or cooking Describe a unique family traditionParagraph GuidelinesRefer to the checklist below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until your paragraphs meet all guidelines.Paragraph StructureDoes each paragraph include a topic sentence that depicts the controlling idea of the paragraph?Does each paragraph include supporting sentences that effectively support your topic sentence?Are all sentences or details in the paragraph relevant to the topic sentence?Does each paragraph include a concluding sentence that gives closure to the paragraph?Paragraph CohesionIs the sequence of all sentences within each paragraph logical (topic sentence first, logical sequence of supporting sentences, concluding sentence last)?Are transitions used effectively to connect ideas within the paragraph?Is the paragraph easy to read?Sentence StructureAre all sentences complete and correct?Are there any run-on sentences? Have you used conjunctions and correct punctuation between independent clauses?Are there any sentence fragments? Does each sentence have a subject and verb and express a complete thought?Descriptive ParagraphDoes the writing “show” the reader details rather than “telling” about them?Does the paragraph describe a person, place or object?Have you touched on at least three of the senses in your use of sensory language?Informative ParagraphDoes the paragraph clearly inform the reader about a topic?Is the paragraph based on information or facts rather than opinion?Is the tone of the paragraph neutral and objective?ConventionsHave you checked your paragraph for grammatical errors?Have you used Spell-Check or another method to check spelling?Have you used punctuation correctly?Before you SubmitHave you underlined your topic sentence, one supporting sentence and your concluding sentence in each paragraph?Have you clearly labeled each paragraph as either “Descriptive” or “Informative”?Have you clearly identified the intended audience and purpose above each paragraph?Have you included your name, date and course at the top left of the page?Is each paragraph between 200-300 words?ReflectionHave you answered all of the reflection questions thoughtfully and thoroughly?Are your answers to the reflection questions included on a separate page below your paragraphs?Have you met or exceeded the required length for each reflection response?Reflection QuestionsWhat do you think your strengths and weaknesses are in terms of sentence construction and paragraph development? (1-2 sentences)Explain how writing for a particular purpose and audience shaped each of your paragraphs. (3-5 sentences)Discuss your feelings about writing in different modes. Is there a particular mode you enjoy writing in more than another? (3-5 sentences)Explain how different writing modes that you have learned about might be applied to scenarios in your real life. (3-5 sentences)ScoringYour composition and reflection will be scored according to the Touchstone 1 Rubric, which considers your reflection, your descriptive and informative paragraph elements, structure and organization as well as your use of conventions.RequirementsEach paragraph should be 200 to 300 words (approximately 1/2 page) in lengthDouble-space the paragraphs and use 1-inch marginsUse a readable 12-point fontAll writing must be appropriate for an academic contextAll writing must be original and written for this assignmentPlagiarism of any kind is strictly prohibitedSubmission must include your name, the name of the course, the date, and the title of your compositionSubmission must include both your descriptive and informative paragraphs and your answers to the reflection questions following eachSubmit a single file only, including all assignment componentsAcceptable file formats include .doc, and .docx.

question: As you were looking through the slides and links, references are often made to other cultural groups and historical events. Discuss your thoughts on this and site some examples you may have caught.
replys:
1- Personally I really liked Mr. Fairey’s art. He didn’t seem afraid to make controversial art or stand up for how the communities felt. 
Seeing so much street art was awesome. But the concept that seems so fascinating is that we learned how people from all over the world, long ago, were painting, drawing, creating hieroglyphs, etc. in there own homes, caves, or wherever they lived. It just shows that art is instinctually a part of the human species. These people were all doing it in their own ways, without knowing people on the other side of the world were too. Nowadays we know that art is created all over the world, but hundreds of years ago they didn’t. 
It’s fascinating that we have ancient art from Africa, Europe, Greece, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Guatemala, Scandinavia, etc. and it is all unique to the culture at the time. 
2- I think that street art is so important. It’s a way to reach a bigger audience of people. People who wouldn’t normally go out of their way to look at art are able to see it and become aware. It is also a good opportunity to raise awareness for certain causes or appreciation for people. I remember after an awful incident where a kid from my high school was unnecessarily shot by the police and killed, somebody painted a big mural of his face to remember him. It made me really feel happy to see him represented.  I have seen many other murals painted in SLC for similar situations as well. Street art has no boundaries, you can basically put up whatever you want. It might get taken down or washed away but I like the idea that if you want to put it out there, you can. If it is for a good cause and within reason of course. Street art is also important because it is a more peaceful way to protest. It can be done without harming others and as the artist, you can also keep your identity private if you wish too. I have a great appreciation for street art. 
I have always been drawn to Bansky’s work. I remember in Park City several years ago, I saw his artwork for the first time on the side of a building. I had no idea who he was yet. I remember my friend telling me that its by Banksy but nobody really knows who the actual artist is. I thought that was so cool.  I’m not sure if now people know who he is. His artwork representing the little girl holding the hands of Ronald Mcdonald and Mickey mouse really stuck with me. It has been included in lessons of in multiple art classes that I have taken because it’s just so important and powerful. 
3- Artists have a lot of power in what they can convey through their work. Some artists may choose to convey very radical and controversial messages, while others may choose not to. Some artists may choose to show that message very explicitly through their work, so that their audience can completely understand what they mean. They might be able to have a more direct sense of power than other artists because their work may get more traction for the meaning than another artist who doesn’t have a direct message. This doesn’t mean that artists who don’t choose to use their artwork to spread big messages don’t carry power. Even if they don’t directly mean to have their art mean something, it can still hold power because of how an audience may engage with it. The power that the artist can have can be contributed to by the audience because they may speculate what it could possibly mean. The audience can dictate how the public should feel about the work without the artist even trying to do that. 
An example I felt could kind of connect with this is work that is done by tattoo artists. I especially feel like this power can be seen in their work in the 90s when tattoos began to emerge into the mainstream culture. Many people that view this artwork may be upset by it because they have stereotypes associated with it. But tattoo artists have been able to create a powerful movement for their work by normalizing it and making it a form of art that is praised. Tattoo Artists that first began in the 90s really created a movement to allow for current day tattoo artists to have room to excel in their field and be appreciated by their audience. They hold a power that may be different to other artists because their canvas is people’s skin that can be displayed to a number of different audiences. It can be scrutinized in different avenues because it is seen in day to day life. 
4- I found the powerpoint for this assignment really interesting and enjoyable because I was familiar with both of the featured artists. I personally believe the ideas of voice and concept in art are almost more important than the art itself. I am someone who wants to know what something is about when looking at art, and when there is a concept behind the art that I find interesting I enjoy the art more. I think Banksy is one of the most unique artists and plays an important role in the evolution of the art world. Seeing artists come up were the own original ideas and taking it to another level is exactly what inspires young artists today. 
I think that that graffiti is a controversial topic because it’s beautiful when done right, but can be a bad thing when it is used against someone or something. I guess I don’t really have a say on what makes graffiti good or bad because everyone has their own opinions and could like something that I personally don’t. I do think graffiti is a great thing to do to get out an important message. For example I saw many George Floyd and Black lives matter graffiti around Salt Lake at the time where those things were buzzing. I think graffiti like that is so important because it makes a statement and makes people look and stare.

I’m working on a writing project and need an explanation to help me learn.

This paper must be no less than 1,000 words and should demonstrate a thorough awareness of the topic as well as the ability to engage in philosophical reasoning. Outside research is not necessary, and in fact you are strongly encouraged to write this paper with nothing but the course materials and your brain in hand, but if you do use external sources you must provide complete citations. Failure to cite your sources is academic misconduct and will result in a failure of the assignment (for more information, see the academic honesty section of the syllabus and the handout on academic misconduct and proper citations). If you have any doubts about whether your paper is properly cited, I am happy to look at it for you in advance of the due date.The Assignment: Evaluate each of the following 3 cases involving assisted death. Do you think any or all of these cases are morally permissible? Give arguments for your view regarding each case. In doing so, you must demonstrate your understanding of at least two moral theories and principles we have covered in this class (including the readings). Your essay should also demonstrate that you understand the types of objections that could be raised against your position, and how you would respond to them.CASE #1Court Grants Elderly Woman Right To Die Adelaide Advertiser 6/18/10 (Australia)A nursing home has reportedly won Supreme Court permission to allow one of its patients to die by denying her food and medical aid. ABC TV last night reported the woman, in her 70s, suffers from diabetes, is partially paralyzed, and decided in January that she wanted to die.The woman reportedly plans to refuse food, water, and her insulin, and the nursing home went to court to ensure it would not be prosecuted for aiding her.Justice Chris Kourakis said he did not consider self-starvation to be suicide and the nursing home was not entering in to a suicide pact with the woman.“The woman has asserted a right to lawfully embark upon a course which will shorten her life free from any interference from (the nursing home) which is in a position to frustrate her plans,” Justice Kourakis reportedly said.CASE #2Police to investigate after BBC presenter Ray Gosling admits to mercy killing of gay lover suffering from AIDS By NICK MCDERMOTT (Links to an external site.)
February 16, 2010 (Great Britain)Detectives are to launch an investigation after a BBC presenter told TV viewers that he carried out a mercy killing on a former lover who was suffering from AIDS. Award-winning documentary maker Ray Gosling, 70, revealed he had smothered the unnamed partner as he lay in hospital ‘in terrible, terrible pain’. Asked whether he had any regrets, he replied: ‘None whatsoever, I did the right thing.’Speaking on the BBC East Midlands’ Inside Out, broadcast at 7.30pm yesterday, the broadcaster said: ‘Maybe this is the time to share a secret that I have kept for quite a long time. ‘I killed someone once… He was a young chap, he’d been my lover and he got AIDS.’ Strolling through a graveyard for a segment of the show about death, he broke down as he recalled the day he took his lover’s life.He said: ‘In a hospital one hot afternoon, the doctor said, “There’s nothing we can do”, and he was in terrible, terrible pain. ‘I said to the doctor, “Leave me just for a bit” and he went away. ‘I picked up the pillow and smothered him until he was dead. ‘The doctor came back and I said, “He’s gone”. Nothing more was ever said.’Mr. Gosling said he was not ‘making a cause’ of assisted dying but said there was a case for changing the law. Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, he said: ‘Sometimes doctors do it on their own. Sometimes people do it on their own. ‘And if it happens to a lover or friend of yours, a husband, a wife, and I hope it doesn’t, but when it does sometimes you have to do brave things and you have to say – to use Nottingham language – bugger the law.’Gosling, a freelance broadcaster of hundreds of radio and TV documentaries, said he had no regrets about his actions, adding: ‘When you love someone, it is difficult to see them suffer. ‘We’d got an agreement, if it got worse, the pain, and nobody could do anything. ‘He was in terrible pain, I was there and I saw it. It breaks you into pieces.’ Ray Gosling’s loved one was terminally ill and clearly asked for help to die when he was suffering unbearably at the end of his life. CASE #3Parents want mercy killing for 4 disabled sons 8/11/09 (India)LUCKNOW: A farmer and his wife in Uttar Pradesh have sought President Pratibha Patil’s permission for the mercy killing of all their four sons who have turned into virtual vegetables.The four, aged 10 to 16 years, have been afflicted by muscular dystrophy, a genetic disease that has confined them to bed.”My sons cannot stand on their feet. They are unable to move their body below the neck. I see their distress every day. Now when doctors too have lost hope, I want they should die. Death would be the ultimate solution for their suffering,” farmer Jeet Narayan of Bashi village of Mirzapur district, some 300 km from Lucknow, has said in his letter to Patil.”My sons are in utter discomfort. I cannot see their helplessness any more. So, we have written to the president that our sons be killed through euthanasia,” Narayan’s wife Prabhavati said over telephone.Narayan has told his neighbours that he has sold of all his valuables to meet the medical expenses of his sons.”Our financial resources have been exhausted. I even sold off the parental land. Moreover, I owe nearly Rs 2 lakh to moneylenders,” he said.Prabhavati said muscular dystrophy afflicted her sons when they were five years old. She identified them as Durgesh, 16, Sarvesh, 14, Brijesh, 11, and Suresh, 10. All four were normal children until then.

Descriptive Methods Using Data Analysis
Discussion Resources
Lind, D. A., Marchal, W. G., & Wathen, S. A. (2022). Basic statistics in business and economics (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Chapter 2, “Describing Data: Frequency Tables, Frequency Distributions, and Graphic Presentation.”

Beginning with a scenario about how a large corporation uses statistics and analytics to support business decisions, this chapter also includes instructions on how to create descriptive statistics such as frequency tables, bar charts, pie charts, histograms, and frequency polygons (line charts).

Instructions
For this discussion, consider the different ways of presenting data that you have been reading about. Based on the context of the business in which you work or have interest, provide one example of the kind of data that may be best presented in a graph and the type that may be best presented in a table.

Interpreting Graphical Data Representations in Articles or Reports

Overview

Business administrators and managers are often called upon to interpret data that analysts have provided to them. In this first assignment, you are asked to locate any report or periodical article used in a business context that interests you and that contains at least two different graphical representations of data. You will interpret the graphical data representations and present your findings in a brief PowerPoint deck, as if you were presenting during a company meeting.

Scenario
You are an analyst in a business. You may choose a real or fictional business of interest. Any business that has practical meaning for you is an appropriate choice for this assignment.
You are responsible for a team of analysts at this business. One of your analysts has just given you a report containing some graphs and charts. You are now tasked with interpreting two of those charts and explaining them at a department meeting.
Your Role
You have been invited to present at a departmental meeting with employees from all levels within the organization. You have been allotted 6–10 minutes to speak. The purpose of your speech is to explain the business context as well as two charts or tables that you have evaluated as a business analyst of the organization. Your business report to the group will be a slide presentation with speaker notes and appropriate citations and references.
Instructions
Article Identification. Use one of the articles listed for the assignment below or find an article in Forbes or other business journal or an annual report from a publicly traded company that includes at least two data graphs/tables.
The graphs should depict/represent data using pie charts, bar charts, tables, scatter plots, trend lines, et cetera.
Read the article and identify the business context. Business context includes organizational history, mission, product and services, environment, competitive advantage, competition, et cetera. You can also determine business context from additional sources (and you should).
The company/organizational background information should help explain why the data is relevant. This will be the introductory info for your business report/PPT/assignment.
Interpret your chosen data representations in the context of the business situation. The following are typical questions an analyst would use to interpret the data:
What is being measured (the variables)?

What are the relationships among the variables?

What are the trends in the data?

How can the data be applied in the business context?

Create an effective 6–10 slide PowerPoint deck with detailed presenter’s notes (including citations and reference slides) elaborating on each point that will be presented at a departmental meeting. For example:

Organization/business context.

Relevance/importance of information.

Source of data set and any limitations?

Graphic of data 1—with interpretations of graph.

Graph of data 2—with interpretations of graph.

Importance of data analysis in terms of business context.

Summary.
Reference slides.
An effective PowerPoint presentation for this purpose typically includes:

One title slide, APA formatted.
1–2 introduction slides explaining the business context.

You should copy and paste (insert) the graphs/tables and include an appropriate citation. Each slide should include detailed speaker notes.
Include your interpretation of each graphical data representation.
Conclusion slides in which you explain how the data may affect the business context or how it could be applied in your business context to inform decision making.
Slide with at least four APA-formatted references, including the source of each graph.
Refer to the Unit 2 Assignment Example PowerPoint file linked in Resources to get a sense of a basic assignment rated as Proficient would look like.
Additional Requirements
Your written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message, meet APA standards, and be unbiased with documented facts rather than opinion. Remember to use and include at least four sources of information for your presentation.
Evaluation

By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies through corresponding scoring guide criteria:
Competency 1: Explain how data management techniques and tools are used to support business decisions.

Introduce the business context or company background for the data.
Explain how the data can impact the business context or be used by the company in decision making.
Competency 4: Present the results of data analysis in clear and meaningful ways to multiple stakeholders.
Interpret or explain the meaning of two different graphical representations of data.
Format citations and references correctly using current APA style.
Present content clearly, professionally, and logically for the identified audience.

CompetencyIn this project, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following competency:Explain the impact of a federal system of government on the administration of public functionsScenarioThe local housing authority of Bismark, Alabama, was created in 1935. In 1937, the Housing Authority of Bismark, Alabama (HABA), became a public housing agency (PHA) under the provisions of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (commonly referred to as the Wagner-Steagall Act). This New Deal-era legislation created the U.S. Housing Authority to provide loans and subsidies to local PHAs.As a quasi-governmental agency, HABA is organized as an extension of the city of Bismark. It has its own board of directors, who are appointed by the mayor and who serve two-year terms in office. Additionally, HABA formed a nonprofit foundation in 2000 to support its mission “to make available quality, affordable housing for lower and moderate-income families through the wise stewardship of public funds.” HABA is also a member of the Bismark County Continuum of Care (CoC), Website: https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/coc/ which is a group of providers serving the currently or at-risk homeless population.This past month, the federal department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued new standards for homelessness (see attached) called “Home, Together.” The strategy espoused by the plan is to “make homelessness a rare, brief, and one-time experience” across America. This new strategy builds on the 2010 Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness (see attached) plan presented by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH).HABA is the largest provider in the state of attainable housing through direct administration of housing units in the city, the management of Section 8 housing vouchers throughout the region, and the administration of housing tax credits. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the implications of HUD’s initiatives and rules as they relate to PHAs. Alignment with these new regulations will directly impact federal funding for the organization.DirectionsYou are the assistant executive director of HABA. Therefore, you are responsible for periodically reporting on relevant developments and progress to the board of directors. These new HUD regulations happen to coincide with your first presentation to a brand new board of directors. The new board is enthusiastic and energized, but in need of background information to support its understanding of the challenges facing your organization and their historical roots.Therefore, you have decided to create a presentation that will first provide the new board with some critical context, then brief them on the implications of the new HUD initiative and your plan for advancing the mission of the organization. Be sure to include the following:Begin your presentation by establishing a context for your audience that addresses key background information, including:Articulate the significance of housing affordability and homelessness as key contemporary issues facing local, state, and national governments. In other words, why are these issues critical and impactful?Demonstrate how federalism has shaped the governance model as it relates to civil rights and housing. Include relevant legislation, executive actions, and judicial precedent that help to explain the historical causes of present conditions.Then transition by focusing on the specific impacts of the new HUD initiative for your organization. Specifically, be sure to explain the potential for budgetary effects, including the significance of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and federal grants in aid programs for funding critical service delivery organizations such as your own.Finally, conclude your presentation with your plan for ensuring compliance and advancing the mission of the organization. Be sure to propose informed strategies that address the following questions:How can your organization continue to build and develop productive relationships with the local, state, and federal levels of government?How can you leverage professional networks for strategic outreach and community engagement?What to SubmitEvery project has a deliverable or deliverables, which are the files that must be submitted before your project can be assessed. For this project, you must submit the following:Presentation to the New HABA Board of DirectorsCraft an effective presentation that educates the new board about the broader historical and contemporary context, as well as briefs them on the significance of new HUD initiatives. Specifically, you need to propose a plan for ensuring compliance and advancing the mission of the organization. Your presentation must be 10 to 15 slides in length, include speaker notes, and need to integrated the in-text citation component on each of your slides.Reference List For each source that you cite, you need to include the author’s name, the publication year, the title of the source, and the location of the source in a References section at the end of your work. in-text citation(s) and sources appropriately.Supporting MaterialsThe following resource(s) may help support your work on the project:Website: Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Publications Archive Website: https://www.huduser.gov/portal/publications/pdrpub…Use this resource to support your research related to fair housing legislation.Website: HUD Chronology of Housing Legislation (2003) Website: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=pst.0000539…Use this resource to support your research related to fair housing legislation.Website: HUD: Fair Housing and Related Laws Website: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_e…Use this resource to support your research related to fair housing legislation.