Plagiarism(An Introduction)

Plagiarism(An Introduction)

For Centennial High School Students and

Teachersby

Mrs. Mirka(Teacher Librarian)

2006

PlagiarismPlagiarism

“I found your speech to be good and original.

However, the part that was original was not good

and the part that was good was not original.

Samuel Johnson 1707- 1784

What is plagiarism?

(And why you should care!)

Definition:Definition:

Plagiarism is using the words, ideas, images, sounds, or the creative expression of others without giving them credit, and then saying that it is your own

The Importance of Being Ethical

The Importance of Being Ethical

Not giving credit for your sources islike robbing the authors of payment for their original work and robbing them of the recognition they deserve for their work

You are also lying to your reader by claiming other people’s work as your own

How serious is the problem?How serious is the problem?

McAbe, in his study of almost 4,500 students at 25 schools suggests,

cheating is . . . a significant problem in high school - 74% of the respondents admitted to one or

more instances of serious test cheating and 72% admitted to serious cheating on written

assignments. Over half of the students admitted they have engaged in some level of plagiarism on written assignments using the Internet

(p.1)

http://www.newu.uci.edu/archive/1998-1999/fall/981012/np-981012-cheating.jpg

Students, if…Students, if… you have copied and pasted text or

pictures from the Internet without listing the source in your references

you are using another student’s or your parents’ work and claiming it as your own, even with their permission.

you are quoting a source without using quotation marks – even if you do cite it

you are citing sources you didn’t use

you are getting a research paper, story poem or article off the Internet

you are turning in the same paper for more than one class without the permission of both teachers, (this is called self-plagiarism)

ExcusesExcuses

It’s okay if I don’t get caught!

I was too busy to write that paper!

(Job, big game, too much homework!)

My teachers expect

too much!

I’ve got to get into

??? U.!

My parents expect “A”s!

This assignment was BORING!

Everyone does it!

Think about it!Think about it!

• When you copy you cheat yourself. You limit your own learning.

• The consequences are not worth the risks!

• It is only right to give credit to authors whose ideas you use

• Citing gives authority to the information you present; your teacher is impressed because it shows you have done your research

• Citing makes it possible for your readers to locate your source

• Education is not an “us vs. them” game! It’s about learning to learn!

• Cheating is unethical behavior

Is your academic

reputation valuable to you?

Real life consequences:Real life consequences:

Kaaya Viswanathan's novel How Opal Mehta Got Wild, Got Kissed and Got a LifePicture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Consequences:

Promising young author with a $500,000.00 book deal and a movie deal with Stephen Spielberg loses

all!

Consequences:

Promising young author with a $500,000.00 book deal and a movie deal with Stephen Spielberg loses

all!

Kaavya Viswanathan, a gifted Harvard student, came to public attention when her debut novel was reveled to have

been plagiarized

Kaavya Viswanathan, a gifted Harvard student, came to public attention when her debut novel was reveled to have

been plagiarized

Real life :Real life :

The Chiffons, one of the most definitive “girl groups” of the 60’s. Album cover: Amazon.com

Consequences:

George had to pay $587,000.00 to settle the court case filed against

him

Consequences:

George had to pay $587,000.00 to settle the court case filed against

him

George Harrison unintentionally copied portions of his hit “My Sweet Lord” from the song “He’s so fine” by

the Chiffons

George Harrison unintentionally copied portions of his hit “My Sweet Lord” from the song “He’s so fine” by

the Chiffons

http://www.wilsonsalmanac.com/images2/harrison_g2.jpg

http://www.wilsonsalmanac.com/images2/harrison_g2.jpg

Real life :Real life :

Photo from WashingtonSpeakersBureau, 2005

Consequences:

Mike Barnicle, considered a top journalist, was fired from his job at

the Boston Globe

Consequences:

Mike Barnicle, considered a top journalist, was fired from his job at

the Boston Globe

Boston Globe Journalist Mike

Barnicle was found to have plagiarized a

number of his newspaper articles

Boston Globe Journalist Mike

Barnicle was found to have plagiarized a

number of his newspaper articles

Possible school consequences:Possible school consequences:

• “0” on the assignment• Parent notification• Referral to

administrators• Suspension or dismissal

from school courses, activities--sports and extracurricular

• Note on student record• Loss of reputation

among the school community

Is this important?Is this important?

What if…>Your architect cheated his way through math

class. Will your new home be safe?>Your lawyer paid for a copy of the bar exam to

study. Will the contract she wrote for you stand up in court?

>The accountant who does your taxes hired someone to write his papers and paid a stand-in to take his major tests? Does he know enough to complete your tax forms properly?

(Lathrop &Foss, 2000, p.87)

Thank youThank you

• This is the end of the slide presentation