Plagiarism is defined as the act of using others’ ideas, words, and work and passing them off as one’s without clearly acknowledging the source of that information (Writing Tutorial Services, 2004).

Chart from:  Avoiding Plagiarism. 2002. Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL). 14 August 2002

Teachers can easily spot the difference in fonts and the color of the text when students copy and paste material from the internet

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn presents a motivating story of a young white man and slave rising above their differences. Although the society of the 1800’s believed that African Americans were property, both men saw past the color of the other’s skin and became the best of friends. As it was in the nineteenth century, racism continues to exist today. However, not every one is or was prejudice. Many people see others based on the content of their character, not the color of their skin. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn illustrates the important lesson that we are all equal, with similar aspirations and desires.

Teachers can catch plagiarism with words that are outside of a student’s vocabulary set

Why would teens smoke?  Teens may start using tobacco to fit in with their friends. They may become taunted and peer pressured to smoke by their classmates. Teens may want to look cool and not be called losers. The availability and the different flavors in tobacco make it more appealing to children and young adults. Curiosity is the primary reason young adolescents and teens begin smoking.

Group Role in Group

Josh Typist

Mary Leader

Brandon Speaker

Matt Speaker

Instructions for Group Activity

1. Get together with your group members

2. Have two of your group members go to the Beavercreek High School Website http://www.beavercreek.k12.oh.us/bhs

3. Click the staff tab and click on Ms. McCartney’s name

4. Find the English 12 tab

5. Have the leader in your group open the Plagiarism Power Point for period 1 on one computer

6. Have the typist in your group open the Plagiarism Handout on another computer

Completing the Plagiarism Handout

As a group first read the four scenarios described on the Plagiarism Handout

Next, as a group you will discuss each of the four scenarios Then you must answer whether your group believes that particular

situation constitutes plagiarism Why or why not does your group believe this student has plagiarized?

The typist in the group will type your response onto the Plagiarism Handout

After your group has finished responding, the group speakers will share their group’s responses to each scenario

Finally print out a copy of the Plagiarism Handout for each of your group members

Yes, Sarah is guilty of plagiarism

From taking the summary from the website and not giving the source credit Sarah has committed plagiarism

Sarah could have avoided plagiarism by writing the paper on her own or crediting the website as her source of information

Sarah has a summary due tomorrow in her English class on the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Unfortunately Sarah did not read the novel or pay attention in class. She plans on reading summaries of each chapter online. Sarah finds a website that includes a summary of the entire novel and decides to copy and paste the summary into a Word Document, changing a few words and adding a couple sentences. Sarah prints the summary out and the next day she hands the summary into her teacher.

Yes, Joe is guilty of plagiarism

Even if Joe’s friend gave him permission to copy his work, it is still plagiarism

Joe took credit for someone else’s ideas and work

Joe could have avoided committing plagiarism by doing his own work or having his friend help him solve the problems

Joe is struggling in his geometry class. He forgot to do his geometry worksheet that is due next period. At lunch Joe asks one of his friends if he can borrow his paper and copies the answer onto his own geometry worksheet. His friend gave him permission to copy his work. Is this plagiarism? Why or why not?

No, Samantha did not plagiarize

She restated the ideas she collected during her research and also gave credit to her sources as well

Samantha is researching the negative effects of smoking. She has been reading several journal articles about the risks of smoking in order to write her research paper. After Allie has compiled enough research she begins to write her paper using her own words to restate the sources ideas. She gives credit to each source she uses throughout her paper when she uses an idea that is not originally her own or common knowledge.

Yes, Ryan is guilty of plagiarism

By taking the direct words of another individual without using quotation marks or citing the source Ryan has plagiarized

Ryan could have avoided committing plagiarism by simply putting quotation marks around the quote and by giving credit to the source

Ryan took a direct quote from George Washington and used it in his history paper. However, Ryan did not use quotation marks we put this quote into his paper or credit George Washington as the source.

Common KnowledgeNot all ideas must be credited,

specifically, facts that are common knowledge

A fact is common knowledge when that information can be found in numerous places and is known by most people○ For example, Abraham Lincoln was the 16th

president of the United States

Direct QuotesWords that are an exact copy of the original should

be marked with quotation marks and credited with a source○ For example,

Paraphrasing is re-expressing or re-stating another person’s thoughts or ideas in your own words Don’t have to use

quotes Must give credit to

the material you paraphrased

1. Write your name on the index card

2. What is plagiarism?

3. Write down one thing you learned today about avoiding plagiarism

4. Write down one concern you have regarding avoiding plagiarism in your Career Research Project