Plagiarism Pigsty Don’t get stuck in the mud! Linda McSweeney Spaulding High School Last updated 9/23/2008 http://flickr.com/photos/garrulus/808181205/in/photostream/

What is Plagiarism? Plagiarize: to steal or pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own: use (another’s production) without crediting the source (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary 11th ed).

It’s not a black & white issue. Plagiarism can get a bit muddy…. Purdue University Online Writing Lab, http://owl.English.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_plagiar.html

Clearly Plagiarism Cutting and pasting (without citing) someone else’s work is plagiarism! It turns your paper into garbage!

So, what’s the BIG deal?

Honesty matters @ Spaulding Loose the respect of people who care about you and want you to be successful Loose the respect of your peers

We want to know what

YOU think

YOU know

YOU learn

SHS Academic Honesty Policy “Academic Integrity matters at Spaulding. It represents a student’s commitment to honesty and respect with teachers and among peers. It also demonstrates a student’s responsibility for his/her own learning.” (from: Barre Technical Center and Spaulding High School Campus: Parent and Student Handbook 2008-2009.)

SHS Academic Honesty Policy “Academic misconduct, intentional or unintentional is unacceptable at Spaulding. Misconduct is defined as: Cheating— providing or receiving unauthorized assistance Plagiarism— presenting someone else’s ideas, words, or graphics as your own without giving credit to the original author Falsification-- falsifying or inventing information…;forging signatures on school-related documents. Interference— interfering or obstructing another student’s academic work (ex. Stealing notes) Complicity— working in groups without teacher approval (from: Barre Technical Center and Spaulding High School Campus: Parent and Student Handbook 2008-2009.)

So here’s a sample from a research paper…

Three sloping couches were placed around a square table with one left open for serving. Blankets and pillows were arranged also on the couches…

Be happy she isn’t your teacher!

Sloping couches? Hmmm… Something doesn’t sound quite right to your history teacher, so

We don’t put you behind bars like these little pigs, but remember integrity matters at Spaulding and there are consequences—student handbook said what? http://flickr.com/photos/michaelloudon/337638145 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en

So WHEN do you have to give credit to someone else? (cite your source)

Where can words come from Where can words come from? Books, movies, plays, newspapers, letters, emails, website, words

ideas

graphics http://flickr.com/photos/paws_and_toes/539491001/ Photos, diagrams, maps, charts, artwork, http://flickr.com/photos/paws_and_toes/539491001/ graphics

What 3 types of information should always be cited in a paper or project?

Is there any time you don’t have to give credit and cite a source? Absolutely! When it’s YOUR OWN words, ideas, or graphics. When you use “COMMON KNOWLEDGE”-- (The theory is that everybody knows this stuff).

What are the two times you don’t need to cite your source?  Your Own Information  Common Knowledge (Can I find the same information in at least 3 sources?)

Don’t drown in the details of what is or is not plagiarism…. If you aren’t sure about it, just be safe and cite it. http://flickr.com/photos/haller/1225898901/

Which of these do you need to cite? How I feel about Sept. 11, 2001. NO. It’s my words and ideas. Information I learned about whales on a National Geographic television program YES! Someone else’s words and ideas even though it isn’t on paper. A quote from Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech YES—if it’s in quotes then you must cite it. That the United States declared independence from England on July 4, 1776. NO—this is “common knowledge”

Most definitely YES! I didn’t create it! A summary I wrote in my own words with information that came from a library book Well, YES! The info came from a book! A copyrighted photo I found by searching Google “Images” cut and pasted into my PowerPoint presentation Most definitely YES! I didn’t create it! Information in a second paragraph that came from a source I already cited in another paragraph. Absolutely—every paragraph should be cited unless it’s your own thoughts or common knowledge A paragraph from a letter my grandfather wrote about his experiences in Vietnam Yes, it’s your grandfather’s words, not your words.

Research Paper Toolbox Quote Paraphrase Summarize

Quote Must match your source exactly word-for-word How to Quote? Hit the nail directly on the head with a hammer! Must match your source exactly word-for-word Must be just a small part of the original

Notetaking Tip-- When you take notes, circle or highlight anything that is a quote. “In his book, called Description of the World, Polo told about Kublai Kahn’s prosperous, advanced empire.”

Paraphrase How? This is like using a wrench to ‘monkey’ around. It sounds simple, but it can be tricky. The rule is: USE YOUR OWN WORDS

Paraphrase Example Original from World Book Encyclopedia-- “Polo commented on many Chinese customs, such as the mining and use of coal as fuel. Coal had not yet been used in Europe. Polo called coal black stones.” My Paraphrase — When he returned from his trip to China, Marco Polo brought back many new ideas to Europe. He told of the Chinese use of “black stones” for fuel. Using coal for fuel was a new concept for Europeans in 1298.

Summarize How? Think about painting with a big paint roller—no details. Include only the main points Read the source first, make notes, then, write a summary without looking at the source

Summarize Example Original Text— “Polo commented on many Chinese customs, such as the mining and use of coal as fuel. Coal had not yet been used in Europe. Polo called coal black stones.” My Summary— Marco Polo, gave Europeans some of their earliest information about Chinese customs.

Remember your toolbox! Quote Paraphrase Summarize

Are you going to get stuck in the plagiarism pigsty? I hope your answer is: When pigs fly!

The End! All clip art, photos, animations, and sound files are from copyright free or creative commons licensed sources