Plagiarism

Take a moment to answer the following questions: What is plagiarism? Why is plagiarism inappropriate? Why might a student plagiarize? What do you feel the consequences for plagiarism should be? Take a moment to answer the following questions: What is plagiarism? Why is plagiarism inappropriate? Why might a student plagiarize? What do you feel the consequences for plagiarism should be?

Definition “Plagiarism is the act of intentionally or unintentionally presenting work done by someone else as though it were your own” (Shepherd 39). “Plagiarism is the act of intentionally or unintentionally presenting work done by someone else as though it were your own” (Shepherd 39). In college this can result in an expulsion. Here you receive a zero and are disciplined. In college this can result in an expulsion. Here you receive a zero and are disciplined.

Simple test Ask yourself “Is this information common knowledge?” Ask yourself “Is this information common knowledge?” If the answer is yes, you do not need to cite it. If the answer is yes, you do not need to cite it. If the answer is no, ask yourself if the information is something that evolved out of your brain, or if it is something that you read. If the answer is the latter, you need to cite that information. If the answer is no, ask yourself if the information is something that evolved out of your brain, or if it is something that you read. If the answer is the latter, you need to cite that information.

Does this need to be cited? Should you document your source when you directly quote what an author has said? Should you document your source when you directly quote what an author has said? Yes…You're clearly using someone else's words. Yes…You're clearly using someone else's words. Should you document your source when you paraphrase what the author said (that is, [when] you put the author's ideas into your own words)? Should you document your source when you paraphrase what the author said (that is, [when] you put the author's ideas into your own words)? Yes. You may not be using someone else's words, but you are using his or her ideas. Yes. You may not be using someone else's words, but you are using his or her ideas. Columbus sighted America in Columbus sighted America in No…this fact is commonly known. No…this fact is commonly known. The per capita national debt has grown from $61.06 in 1870 to more than $9,600. The per capita national debt has grown from $61.06 in 1870 to more than $9,600. Yes. Specific statistics, not generally known, require documentation. ([The] source is 1989 World Almanac and Book of Facts.) Yes. Specific statistics, not generally known, require documentation. ([The] source is 1989 World Almanac and Book of Facts.) These questions were taken from a Colorado State website These questions were taken from a Colorado State website

Check your understanding of plagiarism The following sentence is taken directly from Newble & Cannon (1989: 2). “Motivation is such a key factor that it appears to be more important in learning than intelligence” Plagiarized or acceptable? Motivation is such a key factor that it appears to be more important in learning than intelligence. Not acceptable: Needs inverted commas to indicate direct quote, and source needs to be cited Example taken from

Plagiarized? Acceptable? The following sentence is taken directly from Newble & Cannon (1989: 2). “Motivation is such a key factor that it appears to be more important in learning than intelligence” “Motivation is such a key factor that it appears to be more important in learning than intelligence.” Not acceptable: Although direct quote is indicated, the source needs to be cited Example taken from

Plagiarized? Acceptable? The following sentence is taken directly from Newble & Cannon (1989: 2). “Motivation is such a key factor that it appears to be more important in learning than intelligence” “Motivation is such a key factor that it appears to be more important in learning than intelligence” (Newble & Cannon 2). Acceptable: Direct quote indicated and source cited. Example taken from

Plagiarized? Acceptable? The following sentence is taken directly from Newble & Cannon (1989: 2). “Motivation is such a key factor that it appears to be more important in learning than intelligence” According to Newble and Cannon, “motivation is such a key factor that it appears to be more important in learning than intelligence” (2). Acceptable: Direct quote indicated and source cited. Example taken from

Plagiarized? Acceptable? The following sentence is taken directly from Newble & Cannon (1989: 2). “Motivation is such a key factor that it appears to be more important in learning than intelligence” A key factor in learning is motivation, which appears to be more important than intelligence (Newble & Cannon 2). 5 Not acceptable: An attempt has been made to alter the words of the original, but it is still too close to the source text. Example taken from

The following sentence is taken directly from Newble & Cannon (1989: 2). “Motivation is such a key factor that it appears to be more important in learning than intelligence” Motivation may be more critical than intelligence in learning (Newble & Cannon 2). Acceptable: Indirect quote with source cited Example taken from

The following sentence is taken directly from Newble & Cannon (1989: 2). “Motivation is such a key factor that it appears to be more important in learning than intelligence” Newble and Cannon suggest that motivation may be more critical than intelligence in learning (2). Acceptable: Indirect quote with source cited Example taken from

Works Cited Shepherd, Robert D., ed. Writing Research Papers. Boston: McDougal Littell, 2001.