What it is and how to avoid it

1
Unintentional Plagiarism

• What it is and how to avoid it

2
What is Plagiarism?

• What do you think plagiarism means?
• What is plagiarism? A professor's answer
• What are some of the temptations?

3
Intentional vs. Unintentional Plagiarism

• Internet cheats
• Cliff notes
• Wikipedia
• Changing key words

4
Unintentional Plagiarism

• I dont know how to cite this
• I thought we only had to cite in formal essays
• There wasnt a source listed
• I copied it from my notes
• I was just paraphrasing

www.plagiarism.org
5
Information and Media used in

• You dont 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

• Essays
• Blog/Journal Entries
• Informal Research
• Presentations
• Other minor written assignments
• NEED TO BE CITED.

6
Paraphrasing vs. My Own Words

• Original Text

• Paraphrase

• 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 Achebes Things Fall Apart, there is no
  written language. In Okonkwos 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).

Beaupre, Daniel. Things Fall Apart Teachers
Guide. Random House for Teachers. 2001. 13
Aug. 2008lthttp//www.randomhouse.com
/highschool/catalog/gt Path Search Authors
Last name Achebe. Hacker MLA 32B, 28
7
Paraphrasing v. My Own Words

• Paraphrasing

• My own words

• Uses the source (teachers guide) and applies it
  to the analysis being made. In the case of the
  previous example, it was analyzing the culture.

• Doesnt 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.

8
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 dont 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!

9
Other Ways to Avoid Plagiarism

• Plan your paper/assignment ahead of time and
  write a draft
• Review your plan/draft with your teacher
• Understand how to cite a specific source by
  checking your Hacker manual thoroughly.
• Avoid using sites that provide cheats or cliff
  notes
• See me with your doubts before the assignment is
  due

10
Sources Cited

• Kellet, Dave. Sheldon Daily Comic Strip.
  Cartoon. Sheldon Comics December 2007 14. 13
  Aug. 2008 lthttp//www.sheldoncomics.
  com/archive/071214.htmlgt MLA 32B, 39 and 27
• Maier, Pat. Essay Writing. VideoJug. 2008.
  VideoJug Corporation Limited. 13 Aug.
  2008lthttp//www.videojug.com/interview
  /essay-writing-2what-is-plagiarismgt.
• MLA 32b 27 or 47
• Plagiarism.org. 2008. 13 Aug. 2008
  lthttp//www.plagiarism.org/gt
• MLA 32b 27