Plagiarism Pigsty Don’t get stuck in the mud! Linda McSweeney, Spaulding High School. Last updated 9/23/2008 Revised by Geneva Reeder & Julie Chortanoff, Lower Dauphin Middle School on December 23,
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 11 th ed).
It’s not a black & white issue. Plagiarism can get a bit muddy…. I sometimes copy from a friend’s work. I sometimes copy and paste blocks of text from electronic sources without giving credit to the author. I sometimes “borrow” photos, clip art, and video clips from websites without acknowledging the creator. I usually change a few words if I borrow from the work of another person when presenting it as my own Taken from: Power Tools Recharged by Joyce Kasman Valenza (2004).
It’s okay if I don’t get caught! I was too busy to write that paper! (Job, big game, too much homework!) My teachers expect too much! I’ve got to get into ??? U.! My parents expect “A”s! This assignment was BORING! Everyone does it! No one gets caught!
Clearly Plagiarism Cutting and pasting is NEVER a good idea. Large chunks of text, even when cited, can be considered plagiarism, because you have not written the bulk of your text. It turns your paper into garbage!
So, what’s the BIG deal?
Honesty LDMS
We want to know what
YOUthink
YOUknow
YOUlearn
LDMS Academic Honor Code “Plagiarism violates the Honor Code. Students who plagiarize will be subject to disciplinary action just as they would with more obvious forms of cheating. Students who break the Honor Code may receive a grade of zero and no credit for the test or assignment in question. In determining a report period average, zero will be used as the numerical grade for that particular assignment.” (from: “Honor Code.” Lower Dauphin Middle School Parent-Student Handbook and Planner,
Why is this important? What if: – Your architect cheated his way through math class. Will your new home be safe? – Your lawyer paid for a copy of the bar exam to study. Will the contract she wrote for you stand up in court? – The accountant who does your taxes hired someone to write his papers and paid a stand-in to take his major tests? Does he know enough to complete your tax forms properly? (Lathrop and Foss 87)
OK, here’s an example from a research paper about ancient Greece…
With the emergence of ancient Greece from its “Dark Age,” the population seemed to have significantly risen, allowing restoration of urbanized culture, and the rise of the city-states.
Restoration of urbanized culture? Hmmm…
So WHEN do you have to give credit to someone else? (cite your source)
What 3 types of information should always be cited in a paper or project?
words
ideas
graphics
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 5 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.
Which of these do you need to cite? How I feel about Sept. 11, 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, NO—this is “common knowledge”
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 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. No more than 10% your paper should be direct quotes.
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. Use with shorter passages. You are using more detail. 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. Use with longer passages. 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