PLAGIARISM or PARAPHRASING? Learning to Tell the Difference

In this lesson you will learn how to recognize plagiarism by comparing student samples to the original text.

Let’s Review Plagiarism – claiming someone else’s work as your own Paraphrasing – restating in your own words

A Common Mistake Some students think they can avoid plagiarism by simply changing a couple of words in a sentence or by leaving out part of the sentence.

Let’s Review Core Lesson Read the given non-fiction passage 1 2 Read the student sample of paraphrasing 3 Compare the two — did the student paraphrase or plagiarize?

Let’s Review Core Lesson Original Text: 1 Although he was born in a poor family, Ben Franklin made a fortune as a printer in Philadelphia. By the age of 42, Franklin was one of the richest men in the colonies. He chose to retire from active business and become a “gentleman.” He began to purse “philosophical studies and amusements.” He was especially curious about electricity, and his experiments made him famous. Appleby, Joyce, Ph.D., et. al. The American Journey. Columbus: McGraw-Hill, 2009.

Let’s Review Core Lesson 2 Sample Student Paraphrase: He was born in a poor family but Ben Franklin made a lot of money as a printer in Philadelphia. By the age of 42, Franklin was one of the wealthiest men in the colonies. He chose to retire from business and become a “gentleman.” He began to purse “philosophical studies and amusements.” He was especially interested in electricity, and his experiments made him well-known.

Let’s Review Core Lesson 3 Let’s compare! On the student passage, let’s highlight any words we see that are also in the original text. He was born in a poor family but Ben Franklin made a lot of money as a printer in Philadelphia. By the age of 42, Franklin was one of the wealthiest men in the colonies. He chose to retire from business and become a “gentleman.” He began to purse “philosophical studies and amusements.” He was especially interested in electricity, and his experiments made him well-known.

Let’s Review Core Lesson 3 Is this plagiarized or paraphrased? He was born in a poor family but Ben Franklin made a lot of money as a printer in Philadelphia. By the age of 42, Franklin was one of the wealthiest men in the colonies. He chose to retire from business and become a “gentleman.” He began to purse “philosophical studies and amusements.” He was especially interested in electricity, and his experiments made him well-known.

Let’s Review Core Lesson 3 Let’s try again! Read this student sample: Ben Franklin is well-known as both a businessman and a scientist. Franklin’s successful printing business in Philadelphia led him to become one of the most wealthy men in the area. When he was only 42, he decided to retire from business and spend more time doing things he loved, such as electrical experiments and philosophical studies.

Let’s Review Core Lesson 3 Compare the sample to the original text and highlight words that are the same. Ben Franklin is well-known as both a businessman and a scientist. Franklin’s successful printing business in Philadelphia led him to become one of the most wealthy men in the area. When he was only 42, he decided to retire from business and spend more time doing things he loved, such as electrical experiments and philosophical studies.

Let’s Review Core Lesson 3 Is this paraphrased or plagiarized? Why? Ben Franklin is well-known as both a businessman and a scientist. Franklin’s successful printing business in Philadelphia led him to become one of the most wealthy men in the area. When he was only 42, he decided to retire from business and spend more time doing things he loved, such as electrical experiments and philosophical studies.

Let’s Review Core Lesson Read the original passage. 1 2 Compare the student sample and the original passage. 3 Determine if the passage has been paraphrased or plagiarized.

In this lesson you have learned how to recognized plagiarism by comparing a student’s work with the original text.

Let’s Review Guided Practice Now you try it! Determine if each sample on the handout is paraphrased or plagiarized. In a few minutes, we will go over the answers together. Be prepared to tell WHY the sample is plagiarized or paraphrased.

Let’s Review Extension Activities Extension Activity: In your history book, there is a “People in History” summary in every chapter. Find one of these summaries and paraphrase it on your own. Ask a classmate to check your work to determine if you have paraphrased correctly.