Blog 1

Nicole Bhagwandin

Professor Doyle

Intro to Media Writing

02/19/2019

Blog 1: Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a form of writing where the writer takes another person’s ideas that are either spoken or written by claiming them as their own words without establishing credit. Plagiarism varies in different forms such as, copying directly from the source, substituting a few words and not acknowledging the source used (DePauw University). Common strategies to avoid plagiarism are paraphrasing, using quotations and establishing credit. Paraphrasing is a method used when you are using another person’s ideas in your writing by citing them as a source (Indiana University). The use of quotations allows the writer to use spoken or written words directly from a source without paraphrasing. However, when using quotations, you must include the source by establishing credit so that your writing shows that you are not claiming the quote as your own writing or spoken words. Establishing credit shows the reader where you obtained your information, that could be done by using parentheticals, on a works cited page and a footnote technique (DePauw University).

Plagiarism is commonly seen in the academic setting among university students, especially international students. Zizo Amro, a Saudi Arabian student who attended University of St. Thomas was caught plagiarizing another student’s paper that he found online. Amro took a small section of the paper he found online and used it in his own paper word for word because of the upcoming deadline. Amro did not realize that he was plagiarizing, until Amro’s professor brought the paper’s attention to him. Amro claimed that he did not realize that a small paragraph would have such an impact on getting him expelled from St. Thomas. The professor did not report Amro for plagiarising, but gave him another chance to resubmit that paper. After this incident, colleges like St. Thomas are making an effort to teach international students the consequences of plagiarism and how to avoid it (The Associated Press).

Plagiarism in the academic setting can be intentional or unintentional depending on the situation that the writer is in (The Associated Press). Plagiarism is considered academic dishonesty with consequences that can be avoided by paraphrasing, quotations and establishing credit (Indiana University). For example, Amro could have avoided plagiarism by paraphrasing the online paper because then he could have incorporated his own thoughts while also using the online source. Universities and colleges  also play a role in plagiarism failing to inform students about the consequences of plagiarism, so that international students could get a better understanding about plagiarism (The Associated Press).

              

Works Cited

Avoiding Plagiarism. DePauw University Writing Center.

Examples of Plagiarism, and of Appropriate Use of Others' Words and Ideas. Indiana University, 8 Aug. 2011, www.indiana.edu/~wts/.

The Associated Press. Minnesota Foreign Student Plagiarism Is Accidental. AP Regional State Report - Minnesota, 9 Oct. 2014, eds.a.ebscohost.com.