WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO AVOID IT
Unintentional Plagiarism
What is Plagiarism?
What do you think plagiarism means?
What is plagiarism? A professor's answer
What are some of the temptations?
Intentional vs. Unintentional Plagiarism
Internet cheatsCliff notesWikipediaChanging key words
Unintentional Plagiarism
“I don’t know how to cite this…”“I thought we only had to cite in formal
essays…”“There wasn’t a source listed…”“I copied it from my notes…”“I was just paraphrasing…”
www.plagiarism.org
Information and Media used in …
1. Essays
2. Blog/Journal Entries
3. Informal Research
4. Presentations
5. Other minor written assignments
NEED TO BE CITED.
You don’t have to cite in: Informal discussions during class Discussion notes used in essays* Vocabulary sentences (should be
your own work) Grammar exercises (unless
otherwise specified) Personal essays (unless you talk
about facts related to your subject) Personal anecdotes Pictures or film you captured
*Discussion of a work can sometimes a specific source… “I read that…”
Original TextOriginal Text ParaphraseParaphrase
In a culture without written language, the arts of conversation and oration are prized. Wisdom is transmitted through proverbs, stories, and myths. The agrarian cycle of seasons, with their work and festivals, the judicious use of snuff and palm wine, the importance of music and dance, all could be noted and compared to similar Western mores.
In Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, there is no written language. In Okonkwo’s culture, the elders pass on wisdom through oral methods like proverbs and stories. However, there are still similarities between Western culture and African cultures (Beaupre).
Paraphrasing vs. My Own Words
Beaupre, Daniel. “Things Fall Apart: Teacher’s Guide.” Random House for Teachers. 2001. 13 Aug. 2008<http://www.randomhouse.com /highschool/catalog/> Path: Search; Author’s
Last name; Achebe.Hacker: MLA 32B, #28
ParaphrasingParaphrasing My own wordsMy own words
Uses the source (teacher’s guide) and applies it to the analysis being made. In the case of the previous example, it was analyzing the culture.
Doesn’t use a source for analysis, but rather my own thoughts on the matter. Ex. In Things Fall Apart, being a good orator gives added social status to a person in the tribe. For women, telling stories brings attention. For men, it allows them to be persuasive during important tribe meetings.
Paraphrasing v. My Own Words
Using your Hacker manual
To cite in written work in English class, we will always use MLA format
Use A Pocket Style Manual by Diana Hacker to find out how to cite a source
If you don’t understand what the book is asking you to do, come see me before the paper or assignment is due.
For research, media, and pictures used in class discussions and other minor assignments, a link will suffice. If you have doubts, ask!
Other Ways to Avoid Plagiarism
Plan your paper/assignment ahead of time and write a draft
Review your plan/draft with your teacherUnderstand how to cite a specific source by
checking your Hacker manual thoroughly.Avoid using sites that provide cheats or cliff
notesSee me with your doubts before the
assignment is due
Sources Cited
Kellet, Dave. “Sheldon Daily Comic Strip.” Cartoon. Sheldon Comics December 2007: 14. 13 Aug. 2008 <http://www.sheldoncomics. com/archive/071214.html> MLA 32B, #39 and #27
Maier, Pat. “Essay Writing.” VideoJug. 2008. VideoJug Corporation Limited. 13 Aug. 2008<http://www.videojug.com/interview /essay-writing-2#what-is-plagiarism>.MLA 32b #27 or #47
Plagiarism.org. 2008. 13 Aug. 2008 <http://www.plagiarism.org/>MLA 32b #27
