TEACHING STUDENTS TO AVOID PLAGIARISM

Plagiarism occurs when an individual Plagiarism occurs when an individual intentionally or unintentionally, cheats by intentionally or unintentionally, cheats by representing another person’s words, representing another person’s words, facts, ideas, translations, images facts, ideas, translations, images (photographs, art work, graphs, etc.) or (photographs, art work, graphs, etc.) or audio as their own by not giving credit to audio as their own by not giving credit to the creators. the creators.

Plagiarism is Plagiarism is academic theft academic theft which has which has legal and employment implications.legal and employment implications.

(Plagiarism Guideline – Grades 9 to 12, (Plagiarism Guideline – Grades 9 to 12, Waterloo Catholic District School Board, Waterloo Catholic District School Board, 2007)2007)

Submitting someone else’s work as your Submitting someone else’s work as your own.own.

Not citing someone else’s work properlyNot citing someone else’s work properly Making up citationsMaking up citations Improperly paraphrasing, cutting and Improperly paraphrasing, cutting and

pasting or quoting without citationpasting or quoting without citation Purchasing or downloading assignments Purchasing or downloading assignments

and then submitting them as your ownand then submitting them as your own Submitting your own work in multiple Submitting your own work in multiple

classes without permissionclasses without permission

1. Make sure you understand the definition Make sure you understand the definition and consequences of cheating and and consequences of cheating and plagiarism.plagiarism.

2. Practice note taking, paraphrasing and Practice note taking, paraphrasing and citation skills. Using a thesaurus to citation skills. Using a thesaurus to change key words is not paraphrasing. change key words is not paraphrasing. You still need to cite your sources.You still need to cite your sources.

3. When taking notes make sure you always When taking notes make sure you always cite the source.cite the source.

4. Use quotations only when appropriate. Use quotations only when appropriate. Otherwise paraphrase as often as you Otherwise paraphrase as often as you can.can.

5. Use a reference page for every Use a reference page for every assignmentassignment.

6. Only use references approved by the Only use references approved by the teacher.teacher.

7. Use a variety of resources instead of Use a variety of resources instead of relying on the internet. One good rule is relying on the internet. One good rule is to use one book and one on-line research to use one book and one on-line research database for every website used.database for every website used.

8. Avoid using someone else’s assignment Avoid using someone else’s assignment as a source for your own research.as a source for your own research.

9. Complete all stages of the writing Complete all stages of the writing process and make changes according to process and make changes according to the feedback from the teacher.the feedback from the teacher.

10. Submit all rough notes and draft copies Submit all rough notes and draft copies with the final copy. with the final copy.

11. Stay on schedule with all components of Stay on schedule with all components of the assignment. Take time to plan out the assignment. Take time to plan out your work.your work.

12. Have someone else edit your Have someone else edit your assignments before submitting them to assignments before submitting them to the teacher.the teacher.

13. Do not submit the same assignment for Do not submit the same assignment for two or more teachers without their two or more teachers without their permissionpermission

Students do not have to cite information that is Students do not have to cite information that is considered “common knowledge”. considered “common knowledge”.

The problem is in understanding what the The problem is in understanding what the concept of “common knowledge” means.concept of “common knowledge” means.

“ “Common knowledge” is generally anything most Common knowledge” is generally anything most educated people would know or anything that is educated people would know or anything that is found in a general encyclopedia or reference found in a general encyclopedia or reference book.book.

Opinions and conclusions are not “common Opinions and conclusions are not “common knowledge”knowledge”

One simple rule would be: “If you did not One simple rule would be: “If you did not know it before your research, you should know it before your research, you should cite it”.cite it”.

Another simple rule would be: “It is better Another simple rule would be: “It is better to over-cite than under-cite information”.to over-cite than under-cite information”.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING PIECES OF WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING PIECES OF KNOWLEDGE IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE AND KNOWLEDGE IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE AND WHICH ONE IS KNOWLEDGE THAT NEEDS TO BE WHICH ONE IS KNOWLEDGE THAT NEEDS TO BE CITED?:CITED?:

HISTORY EXAMPLEHISTORY EXAMPLE

Pierre Trudeau was Canada’s 15th Prime Pierre Trudeau was Canada’s 15th Prime Minister.Minister.

Pierre Trudeau was a practicing Catholic who Pierre Trudeau was a practicing Catholic who believed firmly in the the separation between believed firmly in the the separation between Church and State.Church and State.

Pierre Trudeau was Canada’s 15th Prime Pierre Trudeau was Canada’s 15th Prime Minister.Minister.

(Common knowledge – gives basic (Common knowledge – gives basic information that would appear in an information that would appear in an encyclopedia)encyclopedia)

Pierre Trudeau was a practicing Catholic who Pierre Trudeau was a practicing Catholic who believed firmly in the the separation between believed firmly in the the separation between Church and State.Church and State.(Knowledge that needs to be cited – has (Knowledge that needs to be cited – has information that is not commonly known – information that is not commonly known – opinion is given)opinion is given)

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING PIECES OF WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING PIECES OF KNOWLEDGE IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE AND KNOWLEDGE IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE AND WHICH ONE IS KNOWLEDGE THAT NEEDS TO BE WHICH ONE IS KNOWLEDGE THAT NEEDS TO BE CITED?:CITED?:

MATH EXAMPLEMATH EXAMPLE

Pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to Pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. Pi = its diameter. Pi = 3.14159

With the use of computers, Pi has been With the use of computers, Pi has been calculated to over 1 trillion digits past the calculated to over 1 trillion digits past the decimal.decimal.

Pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to Pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. Pi = its diameter. Pi = 3.14159

(Common knowledge – gives basic (Common knowledge – gives basic information that would appear in an information that would appear in an encyclopedia)encyclopedia)

With the use of computers, Pi has been With the use of computers, Pi has been calculated to over 1 trillion digits past the calculated to over 1 trillion digits past the decimal.decimal. (Knowledge that needs to be cited – has (Knowledge that needs to be cited – has information that is not commonly known – information that is not commonly known – opinion is given)opinion is given)

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING PIECES OF WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING PIECES OF KNOWLEDGE IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE AND KNOWLEDGE IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE AND WHICH ONE IS KNOWLEDGE THAT NEEDS TO BE WHICH ONE IS KNOWLEDGE THAT NEEDS TO BE CITED?:CITED?:

SCIENCE EXAMPLESCIENCE EXAMPLE

Energy = Mass times the Speed of Light Energy = Mass times the Speed of Light (SQUARED)(SQUARED)

Albert Einstein once explained his theory of Albert Einstein once explained his theory of relativity by saying that an hour sitting with a relativity by saying that an hour sitting with a pretty girl on a park bench seems like a minute pretty girl on a park bench seems like a minute but a minute sitting on a hot stove can seem like but a minute sitting on a hot stove can seem like an hour. an hour.

Energy = Mass times Speed of Light (SQUARED)Energy = Mass times Speed of Light (SQUARED)

(Common knowledge – gives basic (Common knowledge – gives basic information that would appear in an information that would appear in an encyclopedia)encyclopedia)

Albert Einstein once explained his theory of Albert Einstein once explained his theory of relativity by saying that an hour sitting with a relativity by saying that an hour sitting with a pretty girl on a park bench seems like a minute pretty girl on a park bench seems like a minute but a minute sitting on a hot stove can seem like but a minute sitting on a hot stove can seem like an hour. an hour.

(Knowledge that needs to be cited – has (Knowledge that needs to be cited – has information that is not commonly known – information that is not commonly known – opinion is given)opinion is given)

There are various forms of plagiarism that There are various forms of plagiarism that are common for students. They include are common for students. They include the following:the following:

1.1. Cut and PasteCut and Paste

2.2. Quoting without citingQuoting without citing

3.3. Incomplete paraphrasing as plagiarism Incomplete paraphrasing as plagiarism without citingwithout citing

4.4. Plagiarism of an idea without citingPlagiarism of an idea without citing

Read the following original text excerpt Read the following original text excerpt and the examples that follow. Each and the examples that follow. Each example demonstrates a form of example demonstrates a form of plagiarism. You need to:plagiarism. You need to:

a.a. identify the form of plagiarism usedidentify the form of plagiarism used

b.b. provide the appropriate format to be provide the appropriate format to be usedused

ORIGINAL TEXT EXCERPTORIGINAL TEXT EXCERPT

In 1828, Jim Crow was born. He began his career as a minstrel caricature of a black man created by a white man, Thomas “Daddy” Rice to amuse white audiences. By the 1880s, Jim Crow had become synonymous with a complex system of racial laws and customs in the South that ensured white social, legal , and political domination of blacks. Blacks were segregated, deprived of their right to vote, and subjected to verbal abuse, discrimination, and violence without redress in the courts or support by the white community.

Wormser, Richard. The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow. St. Martin’s Press: New York, 2003.

In 1828, Jim Crow was born. He began his career as a minstrel caricature of a black man created by a white man, Thomas “Daddy” Rice to amuse white audiences. By the 1880s, Jim Crow had become synonymous with a complex system of racial laws and customs in the South that ensured white social, legal , and political domination of blacks. Blacks were segregated, deprived of their right to vote, and subjected to verbal abuse, discrimination, and violence without redress in the courts or support by the white community.

Wormser, Richard. The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow. St. Martin’s Press: New York, 2003.

Example 1: Where is the Example 1: Where is the plagiarism?plagiarism?

In 1828, Jim Crow was born. He began his career as a minstrel caricature of a black man created by a white man, Thomas “Daddy” Rice to amuse white audiences. By the 1880s, Jim Crow had become synonymous with a complex system of racial laws and customs in the South that ensured white social, legal , and political domination of blacks. Blacks were segregated, deprived of their right to vote, and subjected to verbal abuse, discrimination, and violence without redress in the courts or support by the white community.

Example 1: Cutting and PastingExample 1: Cutting and Pasting

It is a simple case of “cutting and It is a simple case of “cutting and pasting”. As well, it does not include the pasting”. As well, it does not include the proper citation.proper citation.

“In 1828, Jim Crow was born. He began his career as a minstrel caricature of a black man created by a white man, Thomas “Daddy” Rice to amuse white audiences. By the 1880s, Jim Crow had become synonymous with a complex system of racial laws and customs in the South that ensured white social, legal , and political domination of blacks. Blacks were segregated, deprived of their right to vote, and subjected to verbal abuse, discrimination, and violence without redress in the courts or support by the white community.”Wormser, Richard. The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow. St. Martin’s Press: New York, 2003.

The entire passage should be cited. The entire passage should be cited. Use quotations. However students Use quotations. However students are encouraged to paraphrase as are encouraged to paraphrase as much as possible particularly when much as possible particularly when using such a large passage.using such a large passage.

In 1828, Jim Crow was born. He began his career as a minstrel caricature of a black man created by a white man, Thomas “Daddy” Rice to amuse white audiences. By the 1880s, Jim Crow had become synonymous with a complex system of racial laws and customs in the South that ensured white social, legal , and political domination of blacks. Blacks were segregated, deprived of their right to vote, and subjected to verbal abuse, discrimination, and violence without redress in the courts or support by the white community.

Wormser, Richard. The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow. St. Martin’s Press: New York, 2003.

Example 2: Where is the Example 2: Where is the plagiarism?plagiarism?

“By the 1880s, Jim Crow had become synonymous with a complex system of racial laws and customs in the South that ensured white social, legal , and political domination of blacks.”

Example 2: Quoting Without CitingExample 2: Quoting Without Citing

It is a case of “quoting without citing”. As It is a case of “quoting without citing”. As well, it does not include a proper citation.well, it does not include a proper citation.

“By the 1880s, Jim Crow had become synonymous with a complex system of racial laws and customs in the South that ensured white social, legal , and political domination of blacks.”Wormser, Richard. The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow. St. Martin’s Press: New York, 2003.

Excerpts that are quoted must be Excerpts that are quoted must be cited. However, quotations should be cited. However, quotations should be used minimally. Paraphrase wherever used minimally. Paraphrase wherever possiblepossible.

In 1828, Jim Crow was born. He began his career as a minstrel caricature of a black man created by a white man, Thomas “Daddy” Rice to amuse white audiences. By the 1880s, Jim Crow had become synonymous with a complex system of racial laws and customs in the South that ensured white social, legal , and political domination of blacks. Blacks were segregated, deprived of their right to vote, and subjected to verbal abuse, discrimination, and violence without redress in the courts or support by the white community.

Wormser, Richard. The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow. St. Martin’s Press: New York, 2003.

Example 3: Where is the Example 3: Where is the plagiarism?plagiarism?

By the 1880s, Jim Crow had become associated with a complicated system of racial laws and customs in the South that guaranteed white social, legal , and political domination of blacks

Example 3: Incomplete ParaphrasingExample 3: Incomplete Paraphrasing

It is a case of “incomplete paraphrasing It is a case of “incomplete paraphrasing as plagiarism”. It merely substitutes key as plagiarism”. It merely substitutes key words and keeps the main structure of words and keeps the main structure of the sentence intact. It also does not the sentence intact. It also does not include a proper citation.include a proper citation.

“By the 1880s, Jim Crow had become” associated with a complicated “system of racial laws and customs in the South” that guaranteed “white social, legal, and political domination of blacks”Wormser, Richard. The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow. St. Martin’s Press: New York, 2003..

Excerpts that are partially quoted still need Excerpts that are partially quoted still need to be quoted and cited. A general rule is that to be quoted and cited. A general rule is that any time 3 or 4 words are directly lifted from any time 3 or 4 words are directly lifted from a source, it must be quoted. It is preferred a source, it must be quoted. It is preferred that the entire section is fully quoted or fully that the entire section is fully quoted or fully paraphrased. Avoid merely substituting key paraphrased. Avoid merely substituting key words. words.

In 1828, Jim Crow was born. He began his career as a minstrel caricature of a black man created by a white man, Thomas “Daddy” Rice to amuse white audiences. By the 1880s, Jim Crow had become synonymous with a complex system of racial laws and customs in the South that ensured white social, legal , and political domination of blacks. Blacks were segregated, deprived of their right to vote, and subjected to verbal abuse, discrimination, and violence without redress in the courts or support by the white community.

Wormser, Richard. The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow. St. Martin’s Press: New York, 2003.

Example 4: Where is the Example 4: Where is the plagiarism?plagiarism?

Jim Crow is the name given to describe a set of laws which were used to discriminate against blacks in the Southern United States in the 1880s. These laws were used to take away the right to vote from blacks and to sustain unfair treatment in the courts. They also instituted other forms of legalized acts of segregation. The name Jim Crow was taken from a fictional character developed by Thomas “Daddy” Rice in the 1820s. This character was developed to entertain white audiences at the expense of a black population.

Example 4: Plagiarism of an idea withoutExample 4: Plagiarism of an idea without

citing.citing.

It is a case of “plagiarism of an idea It is a case of “plagiarism of an idea without citing”. While it does a proper job without citing”. While it does a proper job of paraphrasing it does not include a of paraphrasing it does not include a proper citation.proper citation.

Jim Crow is the name of a set of laws used to discriminate against blacks in the Southern United States in the 1880s. These laws were used to take away the right to vote from blacks and to sustain unfair treatment in the courts. They also instituted other forms of legalized acts of segregation. The name Jim Crow was taken from a fictional character developed by Thomas “Daddy” Rice in the 1820s. This character was developed to entertain white audiences at the expense of a black population.Wormser, Richard. The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow. St. Martin’s Press: New York, 2003.

This is the preferred method. Paraphrase excerpts This is the preferred method. Paraphrase excerpts in your own words. Restructure the entire passage in your own words. Restructure the entire passage to make it clearly your own phrasing and then cite to make it clearly your own phrasing and then cite the passage.the passage.

Quotations should be used as minimally Quotations should be used as minimally as possible. Students are encouraged to as possible. Students are encouraged to paraphrase as much as possible. paraphrase as much as possible. Quotations should ideally be used in the Quotations should ideally be used in the following circumstances:following circumstances:

1.1. DIRECTLY QUOTING A PERSONDIRECTLY QUOTING A PERSON

2.2. DIRECTLY QUOTING FROM PROSE OR DIRECTLY QUOTING FROM PROSE OR SONGSONG

3.3. QUOTING A PASSAGE FOR MEANING OR QUOTING A PASSAGE FOR MEANING OR PHRASINGPHRASING

4.4. QUOTING AN OPINION OR CONCLUSIONQUOTING AN OPINION OR CONCLUSION

Use quotations if you are repeating Use quotations if you are repeating something a person directly said or wrote something a person directly said or wrote in the first person that is memorable. in the first person that is memorable. Examples may include speeches, diaries, Examples may include speeches, diaries, or editorials. If you feel that paraphrasing or editorials. If you feel that paraphrasing the statement reduces the impact of the the statement reduces the impact of the statement then you should directly quote statement then you should directly quote the statement.the statement.

““As he said many times, in many parts of As he said many times, in many parts of this nation, to those he touched and who this nation, to those he touched and who sought to touch him: Some men see sought to touch him: Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not." things that never were and say why not."

Kennedy, Edward. “Tribute to Senator Kennedy, Edward. “Tribute to Senator Robert F.Robert F. Kennedy”. Kennedy”. <<www.americanrhetoric.com>,>, October October 2007. 2007.

Use direct quotations when you are Use direct quotations when you are quoting passages from artistic works like quoting passages from artistic works like prose or song.prose or song.

““To sleep, perchance to dream – ay To sleep, perchance to dream – ay there’s the rub” there’s the rub”

Shakespeare, William. Shakespeare, William. HamletHamlet (III, i, 65- (III, i, 65-68)68)

“ “Is a dream a lie if it don’t come true or is Is a dream a lie if it don’t come true or is it something worse?”it something worse?”

Springsteen, Bruce. The River, 1980.Springsteen, Bruce. The River, 1980.

Use direct quotations if you feel the Use direct quotations if you feel the passage is written in a particularly passage is written in a particularly powerful or insightful way. You feel that powerful or insightful way. You feel that paraphrasing will significantly alter the paraphrasing will significantly alter the original meaning or intent of the passage.original meaning or intent of the passage.

““Elizabeth, although she has no real Elizabeth, although she has no real political power, is the Queen Bee at the political power, is the Queen Bee at the centre of this Alice in Wonderland world centre of this Alice in Wonderland world of passages and mirrors.”of passages and mirrors.”

Bradford, Sarah. Bradford, Sarah. Elizabeth: A Biography Elizabeth: A Biography of Her Majesty the Queenof Her Majesty the Queen. Toronto: Key . Toronto: Key Porter Books, 1996.Porter Books, 1996.

Use quotations when the author has a Use quotations when the author has a specific, unique or contentious specific, unique or contentious conclusion. You may want to quote so conclusion. You may want to quote so that you do not misinterpret the that you do not misinterpret the conclusion or to avoid the reader conclusion or to avoid the reader challenging your interpretation.challenging your interpretation.

““The shots which killed President The shots which killed President Kennedy and wounded Governor Kennedy and wounded Governor Connelly were fired by Lee Harvey Connelly were fired by Lee Harvey Oswald.”Oswald.”

The Warren Report, The Official Report on The Warren Report, The Official Report on the Assassination of President John the Assassination of President John

F. F. KennedyKennedy, ed. President’s , ed. President’s Commission Commission on the Assassination of on the Assassination of President President Kennedy, Kennedy, Associated Press, Associated Press, 1964.1964.

Notification of AdministrationNotification of Administration

All acts of plagiarism willAll acts of plagiarism will be referred to be referred to Administration. Students who gave or Administration. Students who gave or sold their works to other students willsold their works to other students will also be referred to Administration.also be referred to Administration.

Term Work (70%)Term Work (70%)

All work you plagiarize will receive an 0 All work you plagiarize will receive an 0 (ZERO) until the assignment has been (ZERO) until the assignment has been redone or an alternative assignment is redone or an alternative assignment is completed. The teacher will decide completed. The teacher will decide whether you need to redo the assignment whether you need to redo the assignment or whether a whole new assignment or whether a whole new assignment meeting the same expectations must be meeting the same expectations must be completed.completed.

Culminating Course Activities (30%)Culminating Course Activities (30%)Intentional PlagiarismIntentional Plagiarism

If you If you intentionallyintentionally plagiarize an plagiarize an assignment you will automatically receive assignment you will automatically receive a mark of 0 (zero) for the portion of the a mark of 0 (zero) for the portion of the assignment that was plagiarized. If you assignment that was plagiarized. If you had a rough draft of your work that was had a rough draft of your work that was not plagiarized, the teacher not plagiarized, the teacher mightmight take it take it into consideration for evaluation into consideration for evaluation purposes.purposes.

Culminating Course Activities (30%)Culminating Course Activities (30%)Unintentional PlagiarismUnintentional Plagiarism

If you If you unintentionallyunintentionally plagiarize an plagiarize an assignment an 0 (ZERO) will be assigned assignment an 0 (ZERO) will be assigned until it has been redone or an alternative until it has been redone or an alternative assignment is completed. The teacher assignment is completed. The teacher will decide whether you need to will decide whether you need to redo redo the the assignment or whether a assignment or whether a whole new whole new assignment meeting the same assignment meeting the same expectationsexpectations must be completed. If you must be completed. If you fail to redo the assignment, a zero will be fail to redo the assignment, a zero will be assigned.assigned.

You have the right to appeal a You have the right to appeal a consequence. A meeting between you, consequence. A meeting between you, your parents, the teacher and school your parents, the teacher and school administration administration mightmight be called. be called.