PlagiarismPlagiarism

Facts Worth RememberingFacts Worth Remembering

PlagiarismPlagiarism is an academic crime. is an academic crime.

PlagiarismPlagiarism is … is …

Taking another person’s phrasing or ideas Taking another person’s phrasing or ideas

and using them in your own work and using them in your own work

without giving that person without giving that person

the credit he deserves.the credit he deserves.

Often, culpable students will react,Often, culpable students will react,

“But I didn’t know!”“But I didn’t know!”

Plagiarism is plagiarism Plagiarism is plagiarism

regardless of your intent.regardless of your intent.

PlagiarismPlagiarism is avoidable … is avoidable …

By recognizing what is By recognizing what is notnot common common knowledge.knowledge.By knowing how to cite your sources By knowing how to cite your sources properly.properly.By knowing how to use direct and indirect By knowing how to use direct and indirect quotations properly.quotations properly.By knowing how to paraphrase and By knowing how to paraphrase and summarize properly.summarize properly.

What happens when someone What happens when someone plagiarizes?plagiarizes?

Depending on the Depending on the teacher or school, teacher or school,

he or she might …he or she might … fail the paper.fail the paper. fail the course. fail the course.

be suspendedbe suspended be expelled.be expelled.

With certainty, With certainty, someone who plagiarizes …someone who plagiarizes …

Denies himself a chance Denies himself a chance to learn.to learn.

Misrepresents himself Misrepresents himself to peers and teachers.to peers and teachers.

Takes ownership of ideas Takes ownership of ideas not rightfully his.not rightfully his.

Cheats author out of Cheats author out of due respect and credit.due respect and credit.

The consequences at The consequences at CCHHSS

The student will …The student will … Rewrite the assignment for no Rewrite the assignment for no

credit;credit; Have parent conference;Have parent conference; Serve one day of in-house Serve one day of in-house

suspension; suspension; Face more serious consequences Face more serious consequences

at at the discretion of the administration the discretion of the administration for for any subsequent offense.any subsequent offense.

Why Does Why Does PlagiarismPlagiarism Happen? Happen?

1.1. Students don’t know what plagiarism is. Students don’t know what plagiarism is.

2.2. Students don’t know what “common Students don’t know what “common knowledge” is. knowledge” is.

3. Students don’t know how to cite sources.3. Students don’t know how to cite sources.

There are more->There are more->

More ReasonsMore Reasons

4.4. Students don’t know how to use direct Students don’t know how to use direct quotes.quotes.

5.5. Students don’t know how to paraphrase. Students don’t know how to paraphrase.

6.6. Students don’t know how to summarize. Students don’t know how to summarize.

There are still more ->There are still more ->

Still More ReasonsStill More Reasons

7.7. Students don’t understand the researched Students don’t understand the researched material well enough to quote, paraphrase, material well enough to quote, paraphrase, or summarize effectively.or summarize effectively.

8.8. Students don’t want to take the time to Students don’t want to take the time to quote, paraphrase, or summarize quote, paraphrase, or summarize effectively.effectively.

And the final reasons->And the final reasons->

Final ReasonsFinal Reasons

9.9. Students feel that the more sophisticated Students feel that the more sophisticated the wording, the better the grade. the wording, the better the grade.

10.10. Students feel there is only one good Students feel there is only one good way to say something: the author’s way.way to say something: the author’s way.

Let’s go back ->Let’s go back ->

1.1. Students don’t knowStudents don’t know whatwhat plagiarismplagiarism is.is.

Again, …Again, …

PlagiarismPlagiarism is taking what another person is taking what another person has thought, researched, or crafted has thought, researched, or crafted

and using it in your own work and using it in your own work

without giving that person the credit without giving that person the credit

he or she deserves.he or she deserves.

2.2. Students don’t know what “Students don’t know what “common common knowledgeknowledge” ” is.is.

Common KnowledgeCommon Knowledge is any information that is any information that

is readily available to is readily available to and accepted as fact and accepted as fact by everyone. by everyone.

***It need not be cited.***It need not be cited.

Historical factsHistorical factsFamiliar proverbsFamiliar proverbsFamous quotationsFamous quotationsSimple definitionsSimple definitions

Uncommon KnowledgeUncommon Knowledgeneeds to be cited.needs to be cited.

Unfamiliar factsUnfamiliar facts

Expert testimonyExpert testimony

Original researchOriginal research

OpinionsOpinions

StatisticsStatistics

Direct or indirect Direct or indirect quotationsquotations

To determine To determine common knowledgecommon knowledge, ask , ask yourself these questions:yourself these questions:

1.1. Did I already know this information Did I already know this information before I read about it in this source?before I read about it in this source?

2.2. Does this information appear as un-cited Does this information appear as un-cited in multiple sources?in multiple sources?

3.3. Did this information originate with me?Did this information originate with me?

***If you answered ***If you answered yesyes to any question, you to any question, you probably do not have to cite your source.probably do not have to cite your source.

Example of Example of Common KnowledgeCommon Knowledge vs. vs. Uncommon KnowledgeUncommon Knowledge

Common KnowledgeCommon Knowledge

Mary Flannery O’Connor Mary Flannery O’Connor was a Catholic novelist was a Catholic novelist who died at the age of who died at the age of thirty-nine.thirty-nine.

***No citations needed. ***No citations needed.

Uncommon KnowledgeUncommon Knowledge

According to George Weigel in his book Letters to a Young Catholic, Flannery O’Connor chose to write while looking at a whitewashed wall to minimize distractions and maximize her own imagination (11).

***Note the citations.***Note the citations.

Test Yourself Test Yourself on on Common KnowledgeCommon Knowledge

1.1. The American flag currently has fifty stars.The American flag currently has fifty stars.

2.2. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin.Cabin.

3.3. Of students in grades 6-12, almost 37 percent Of students in grades 6-12, almost 37 percent believe copying from the Internet is okay.believe copying from the Internet is okay.

4.4. Americans hate to wait more than they hate to Americans hate to wait more than they hate to spend money. spend money.

5.5. Humans breathe in oxygen and breathe out Humans breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide.carbon dioxide.

Test Yourself Test Yourself on on Common KnowledgeCommon Knowledge

1.1. The American flag currently has fifty stars.The American flag currently has fifty stars.

2.2. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin.Cabin.

3.3. Of students in grades 6-12, almost 37 percent Of students in grades 6-12, almost 37 percent believe copying from the Internet is okay.believe copying from the Internet is okay.

4.4. Americans hate to wait more than they hate to Americans hate to wait more than they hate to spend money.spend money.

5.5. Humans breathe in oxygen and breathe out Humans breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide.carbon dioxide.

3. Students don’t know how to cite their 3. Students don’t know how to cite their sources.sources.

FAQ’sFAQ’s

Whom do you cite?Whom do you cite? Anyone who “owns” the information you’re Anyone who “owns” the information you’re

using.using.

When do you cite?When do you cite? Anytime you use information or graphics, Anytime you use information or graphics,

whether in a paper or project, that belong to whether in a paper or project, that belong to someone else.someone else.

More FAQ’sMore FAQ’s

How do you cite?How do you cite? According to the MLA guidelinesAccording to the MLA guidelines

Where do you cite?Where do you cite? In parenthetical documentationIn parenthetical documentation On a works cited pageOn a works cited page In the text itselfIn the text itself

Why do you cite?Why do you cite? To give credit where credit is dueTo give credit where credit is due

4.4. Students don’t know how to useStudents don’t know how to use direct quotations.direct quotations.

Sometimes students …Sometimes students …• write papers which do nothing more than link write papers which do nothing more than link

quotations together. quotations together. • insert quotations without any transitions or insert quotations without any transitions or

explanation of their significance.explanation of their significance.• use one quotation that consumes most of a use one quotation that consumes most of a

paragraph.paragraph.• Add quotations without reference to source.Add quotations without reference to source.

QuotationsQuotations should be used … should be used …

SparinglySparingly

To support a point with expert testimonyTo support a point with expert testimony

To add humor To add humor

With correct punctuationWith correct punctuation

With correct citation (author and source)With correct citation (author and source)

Example of Example of PlagiarismPlagiarism … …Using Exact Words without Citing Using Exact Words without Citing

OriginalOriginalEdibleEdible, adj. means good to , adj. means good to

eat, and wholesome to eat, and wholesome to digest, as a worm to a digest, as a worm to a toad, a toad to a snake, a toad, a toad to a snake, a snake to a pig, a pig to a snake to a pig, a pig to a man, and a man to a man, and a man to a worm. worm.

– – taken from taken from The Devil’s The Devil’s DictionaryDictionary by Ambrose by Ambrose BierceBierce

Student’s WorkStudent’s Work

The word “edible” is an adjective which means good to eat, and wholesome to digest, as a worm to a toad, a toad to a snake, a snake to a pig, a pig to a man, and a man to a worm.

Another Example ofAnother Example of Plagiarism Plagiarism… … Changing and/or Rearranging WordsChanging and/or Rearranging Words

OriginalOriginalEdibleEdible, adj. means good to , adj. means good to

eat, and wholesome to eat, and wholesome to digest, as a worm to a digest, as a worm to a toad, a toad to a snake, a toad, a toad to a snake, a snake to a pig, a pig to a snake to a pig, a pig to a man, and a man to a man, and a man to a worm. worm.

– – taken from taken from The Devil’s The Devil’s DictionaryDictionary by Ambrose by Ambrose BierceBierce

Student’s WorkStudent’s WorkThe word “edible” is an

adjective which means healthy to digest and okay to eat, just like a worm is to a toad, or a toad is to a snake, or a snake is to a pig, or a pig is to a man, and or a man is to a worm.

Effective Use of Effective Use of QuotationQuotation

OriginalOriginalEdibleEdible, adj. means good to , adj. means good to

eat, and wholesome to eat, and wholesome to digest, as a worm to a digest, as a worm to a toad, a toad to a snake, a toad, a toad to a snake, a snake to a pig, a pig to a snake to a pig, a pig to a man, and a man to a man, and a man to a worm. worm.

– – taken from taken from The Devil’s The Devil’s DictionaryDictionary by Ambrose by Ambrose BierceBierce

Student’s WorkStudent’s WorkIn his popular anthology of

terms defined with a satirical twist, The Devil’s Dictionary, Ambrose Bierce once wrote that edible “means good to eat, and wholesome to digest, as a worm to a toad, a toad to a snake, a snake to a pig, a pig to a man, and a man to a worm” (30).

5.5. Students don’t know how toStudents don’t know how to paraphraseparaphrase..

Paraphrasing is putting written information Paraphrasing is putting written information into your own words.into your own words.

The best way to paraphrase is to …The best way to paraphrase is to …

1. Read the information carefully.1. Read the information carefully.

2. Understand the material clearly.2. Understand the material clearly.

3. Rewrite without looking.3. Rewrite without looking.

4. Check back for accuracy.4. Check back for accuracy.

Example of Example of Plagiarism …Plagiarism …Changing Phrasing a Little BitChanging Phrasing a Little Bit

OriginalOriginalSince the fourteenth century Since the fourteenth century

[the Swiss Guards] are [the Swiss Guards] are the official Vatican police the official Vatican police officers and the pope’s officers and the pope’s body guards. Their red, body guards. Their red, yellow, and blue uniforms yellow, and blue uniforms were designed by were designed by Michelangelo. They Michelangelo. They number 110 …number 110 …

--taken from --taken from Catholic Catholic Source Book Source Book

Student’s WorkStudent’s Work

Since the 1300s, the Swiss Since the 1300s, the Swiss Guards have been the Guards have been the official police for the official police for the Vatican as well as the Vatican as well as the pope’s body guards. pope’s body guards. Their uniforms of red, Their uniforms of red, yellow, and blue were yellow, and blue were designed by designed by Michelangelo. There are Michelangelo. There are 110 of them …110 of them …

Example of Example of Correct ParaphrasingCorrect Paraphrasing OriginalOriginal

Since the fourteenth century Since the fourteenth century [the Swiss Guards] are [the Swiss Guards] are the official Vatican police the official Vatican police officers and the pope’s officers and the pope’s body guards. Their red, body guards. Their red, yellow, and blue uniforms yellow, and blue uniforms were designed by were designed by Michelangelo. They Michelangelo. They number 110 …number 110 …

--taken from --taken from Catholic Catholic Source BookSource Book

Student’s WorkAccording to the Catholic Source

Book, The Swiss Guard – traditionally 110 in number -- have policed the Vatican and guarded the pope for the last seven hundred years. Legend gives credit for the design of their uniforms to Michelangelo, but there is no documented proof of this. During the Renaissance, their uniforms became brighter and more colorful, incorporating red with yellow and blue.

***Notice the synthesis of the original ***Notice the synthesis of the original information with other common information with other common knowledge information.knowledge information.

Another Example of Another Example of Correct Correct Paraphrasing/CitingParaphrasing/Citing

OriginalOriginal[O’Connor’s] writing habits were [O’Connor’s] writing habits were

as austere as her prose: her as austere as her prose: her desk faced a whitewashed desk faced a whitewashed wall, and she wrote her fiction wall, and she wrote her fiction looking at the blank space. looking at the blank space. What she wanted to convey in What she wanted to convey in her stories and novels came her stories and novels came out of her head and her out of her head and her reading and her reflection and reading and her reflection and her prayer … -- taken from her prayer … -- taken from Letters to a Young ChristianLetters to a Young Christian by by George WeigelGeorge Weigel

Student’s WorkStudent’s WorkIn Letters to a Young Christian,

George Weigel describes the way in which Flannery O’Connor typically wrote her books. According to Weigel, she would sit at her desk, facing the nothingness of a white wall; and thus limiting the stimuli around her, O’Connor would tap into the ideas that would percolate from her own mind and memory (11).

6.6. Students don’t know how toStudents don’t know how to summarize.summarize.

SummarizingSummarizing is reducing is reducing

the amount of written information the amount of written information

to convey the most general or to convey the most general or

most important ideas.most important ideas.

Example of Example of SummarizingSummarizing

OriginalOriginal““You think, I dare say, that our You think, I dare say, that our

[philologists’] chief job is [philologists’] chief job is inventing new words. But not a inventing new words. But not a bit! We’re destroying words – bit! We’re destroying words – scores of them, hundreds of scores of them, hundreds of them, every day … by the year them, every day … by the year 2050 … not a single human 2050 … not a single human being will be alive who can being will be alive who can understand such a understand such a conversation as we are having conversation as we are having now.” – now.” – two pagestwo pages taken from taken from 19841984 by George Orwell by George Orwell

SummarySummaryAccording to Syme, a

character in George Orwell’s 1984, those responsible for revising the dictionary in 1984 endeavor to remove words from the collection rather than add words in the hope that limited word choice will ultimately limit depth and range of thought. – one sentence

7.7. Students don’t understand the Students don’t understand the researched material well enough to researched material well enough to paraphrase, summarize, or quote paraphrase, summarize, or quote effectively.effectively.

Avoid books, articles, and Avoid books, articles, and web sites that are too web sites that are too technical or lofty. technical or lofty.

Ask your teacher/librarian Ask your teacher/librarian to help you find sources to help you find sources that are more age- that are more age- appropriate.appropriate.

8.8. Students don’t want to take the time Students don’t want to take the time to paraphrase, summarize, or quote to paraphrase, summarize, or quote effectively.effectively.You really don’t have a choice.You really don’t have a choice.

Accept the fact that research… Accept the fact that research… requires all of the above.requires all of the above. is a time-consuming task.is a time-consuming task.will be a requirement will be a requirement

throughout high school throughout high school and college.and college.

is a valuable life skill.is a valuable life skill.

9.9. Students feel that Students feel that the more sophisticated the wording, the more sophisticated the wording, the better the grade.the better the grade.

The truth is …The truth is …

Teachers expect and prefer age-Teachers expect and prefer age-appropriate discussion in high school appropriate discussion in high school papers.papers.

Teachers’ main concern is that students Teachers’ main concern is that students understand what they’re writing about and understand what they’re writing about and communicate that understanding through communicate that understanding through their writing.their writing.

10.10. Students feel there is only one Students feel there is only one good way to say something:good way to say something:

the author’s way.the author’s way.

There are multiple good ways!There are multiple good ways!

Besides, …Besides, …Teachers know when the writing sounds like a Teachers know when the writing sounds like a

college professor wrote it.college professor wrote it.Teachers recognize individual writing styles and Teachers recognize individual writing styles and

sense when the writing doesn’t sound like a sense when the writing doesn’t sound like a particular student.particular student.

The bottom line isThe bottom line isWhen in doubt, cite.When in doubt, cite.

PlagiarismPlagiarism is is stealing stealing and leads to and leads to serious consequencesserious consequences,,

but can be but can be happily avoidedhappily avoided by by learnlearning ing how how

to research and to citeto research and to cite properly. properly.

The End The End