What is Plagerism?

What is Plagiarism?

http://www.ehhs.cmich.edu/~mspears/whatis.html

The following information is taken from the website listed above.

One HUGE misconception that students have is that rewriting something is not plagiarism because they are “putting it in their own words.” Well, if the source is not officially acknowledged, IT IS PLAGIARISM. Copying and pasting actually accounts for only a small percentage of plagiarism. . . . Simply stated, plagiarism is using someone’s work without giving the appropriate credit. This can mean several things:

1. Copying and pasting text from on-line media, such as encyclopedias, is plagiarism.

2. Copying and pasting text from any website is plagiarism.

3. Transcribing text [writing the exact words from the source] from any printed material, such as books, magazines,encyclopedias, or newspapers, is plagiarism.

4. Simply modifying text [changing the words or rearranging sentences] from any of the above sources is plagiarism.

5. Using photographs, video, or audio without permission or acknowledgment is plagiarism. You may use photographs, video, or audio sources in presentations that you create, but you must include the source in your bibliography.

6. Using another student’s work and claiming it as your own, even with permission, is academically unethical and is treated as plagiarism. This is known as “collusion” and is bad. Very bad.

7. Using an essay that you wrote for another class/another purpose without getting permission from the teacher of both the current class and the class for which the original work was used is SELF-PLAGIARISM and is basis for consequence or penalty. I am sure this seems ridiculous to some of you, but that is how it is. . . . Do something original and put forth some effort . . . . You may use your previous work as a basis for new research, of course, but [you must] include the original work in your bibliography.

Plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class. Plagiarizing will result in one of the following (dependent upon the severity of the plagiarism):

= No credit for the assignment

= An opportunity to rewrite the work with a reduced grade which will be due

at the end of one week’s time. Re-write grade will not be higher than a C, and it may receive a lower grade depending upon the quality of the work.

Dear Parent/Guardian:

We have gone over the information on plagiarism in class. We also discussed the importance of doing original work and the consequences of turning in plagiarized work. Please read the article and additional classroom policy. Both you and your student should sign and return this paper by _____________________________.

Parent/Guardian Signature Date Student Signature Date