What is it? How can you avoid it?

What is plagiarism?  Plagiarism comes from the Latin word plagiarius which means “kidnapper.”  Plagiarism is literary theft

Contradictions of American Academic Writing Show you have done your research But Write something new and original Appeal to experts and authorities But Improve upon and disagree with experts and authorities

Contradictions continued… Improve your English by mimicking what you hear and read But Use your own words, your own voice Give credit where credit is due But Make your own significant contribution

Deliberate or Accidental It is still plagiarism!  Buying, stealing, or borrowing a paper  Using the source too closely when paraphrasing  Building on someone’s ideas without citation  Copying from another source without citation  Cutting and pasting from the web without citation  Copying from a friend or classmate including: Copying homework because you ran out of time Copying a few answers because you didn’t “understand” Giving a friend your work to copy

Reflections  Discuss the following questions with a partner: 1. What is plagiarism? 2. Why is it difficult to avoid plagiarism? 3. Can you think of a time when you may have accidentally plagiarized?

Hull Middle School Policy  If a student is cheating and/or plagiarizing, the parent may choose one of the following: A. Zero on the assignment or B. Discipline Referral

Peachtree Ridge Policy  Cheating by students is inexcusable conduct at PRHS. Cheating includes plagiarism, which is the use of another’s words or interpretations without giving credit. Proper documentation style, using the guidelines of the Modern Language Association’s Style Guide (MLA), will be covered thoroughly in class; therefore, students will know how to avoid this grave offense. After instruction, instances of plagiarism will be considered cheating and will be met with a zero on the assignment and an administrative referral.

Reflections  Why do you think it is important to learn this now?  Can you predict what the consequences might be for plagiarizing at the university level?

University of Georgia Policy  The University of Georgia seeks to promote and ensure academic honesty and personal integrity among students and other members of the University community. Academic honesty is vital to the very fabric and integrity of the University of Georgia.  Academic honesty means performing all academic work without plagiarizing, cheating, lying, tampering, stealing, receiving assistance from any other person or using any source of information that is not common knowledge…

UGA continued…  The Honor Code appears on the University’s application for admission and states, “I will be academically honest in all of my academic work and will not tolerate academic dishonesty of others.” All applicants for admission to the University must sign this statement as part of the admission process.

Georgia Tech Policy  Academic misconduct is any act that does or could improperly distort Student grades or other Student academic records. Such acts include but need not be limited to the following: Possessing, using or exchanging improperly acquired written or verbal information in the preparation of an essay, laboratory report, examination, or other assignment included in an academic course;… Deliberate falsification of a written or verbal statement of fact to a member of the Faculty so as to obtain unearned academic credit;…

Georgia Tech continued…  While these acts constitute assured instances of academic misconduct, other acts of academic misconduct may be defined by the professor. Students must sign the Honor Agreement affirming their commitment to uphold the Academic Honor Code before becoming a part of the Georgia Tech community. The Honor Agreement may reappear on exams and other assignments to remind Students of their responsibilities under the Georgia Institute of Technology Academic Honor Code.

Avoiding plagiarism – HOW?  Discuss the following question with a partner: How can I not plagiarize?

Sum It Up…  Be honorable and do the right thing!  Give credit where credit is due.

What have you learned?  Create an Honor Code and include:  1. Plagiarism defined  2. Pledge to NOT  3. Hull Consequences  4. Signatures

Bibliography   General Catalog. (2006) Georgia Institute of Technology  Peachtreeridge.org  Perdue University Online Writing Lab. (2006).  Sorenson, Sharon. (1997) The Research Paper. Amsco School Publishing, Inc.