1. Preventing Plagiarism Proactively
Janis Innis

2. Address plagiarism before it occurs
By being proactive, faculty are able to focus more on student learning and less on student cheating.
Simple steps make it easy to stay ahead of the problem

3. The syllabus is the first step
Spell out clearly what exactly is considered to be plagiarism, cheating, and student dishonesty.
List the repercussions that can and will occur when these types of cheating occur during the semester.

4. Use specific strategies for designing assignments and tests
Create assignments that are uncommon:
Design unique specifics that have not been used in the past.
Change the assignments each semester as much as possible.
Create quizzes in Canvas that are unique and have a large question bank to rotate for each student.

5. Use detection software
Turnitin is available as a stand alone for HCC instructors as well as via Canvas
Free online detection software is also available
Discuss the use of the detection software with students at the beginning of the course

6. Watch for clues in submissions
Student work can often offer clues that the submission is not original:
If handwritten, is it their normal handwriting?
Odd or seemingly out of place vocabulary?
If typed, are there changes in typeface throughout or in parts of the submission?
Exceptional work that is not consistent with the student’s submissions to date?

7. Important class discussions
At the start of the semester and when starting a new assignment, exam, or project:
Talk about pitfalls that prior students (no names) made that led to their misfortune
Provide clear examples of what not to do or how to earn a zero
Assure students you will be closely reading and evaluating their work

8. For each assignment/exam
Take time to explain the assignment/exam thoroughly and in detail
Provide as much support as possible so that students will not (normally) feel the need to plagiarize or cheat.
Encourage students to use the college tutors before submitting assignments and even when studying for exams, when appropriate.

9. Essay assignments Provide samples of the assignment for a guide
Provide helpful links that students are free to use as they work on the essay
Encourage students to submit first draft to the tutors
Increase rigor in assignments and grading as the course progresses

10. Quizzes and Exams
Open book quizzes/tests can be designed to be more rigorous and conducive to learning that only memory based questions.
For self-grading quizzes/tests use Canvas and create original questions for a large question bank, select “random” to have different questions for each student and attempt.

11. Quizzes/Tests continued
Select “timed” and offer several attempts, with the attempts averaged for the final score
Consider not showing the correct answers at the end of the attempts
Base the quizzes on assigned readings that can be reviewed by all students

12. Exams Use essay type exams that do not lend themselves to exploitation
Though they take longer to grade than scantron exams, they are actually more rigorous and increase student learning while also demonstrating their mastery of the course material and objectives

13. Exams continued
Multiple choice questions are often called multiple guess questions for obvious reasons
Handwritten exams in bluebooks are preferable if it is a face to face class.
Change the questions for exams for every class every semester to avoid advance preparation

14. Attitude is very important
The instructor’s attitude is critical to preventing plagiarism and other forms of cheating
Be pleasant, but firm in handling all occurrences and explain by this is not acceptable in the course
Begin with a low value assignment to draw out the first attempts to plagiarize/cheat

15. Attitude is still important
For a first low value assignment, consider giving a firm, but non-judgmental warning: zero and/or second attempt
For any other assignment, assign only a zero and no second attempts, still being firm and non-judgmental.
This approach can allow the student to save face and continue in the course with a lowered course grade.

16. Attitude becomes more important
Students will rarely continue to cheat after the first occurrence, but if this happens
Stay firm, remain non-judgmental and send a referral to the counselors documenting the two occurrences
Make sure the student understands what constitutes plagiarism/cheating in the course

17. Last thoughts
Students actually want a fair playing field in their classes: “cheaters never win and winners never cheat”
Students depend on their instructors to create a safe, fair environment for learning
Instructors can achieve this with proactive and planned methods and materials

18. Professor Innis
Janis Innis has taught a variety of English courses, from composition to literature, for the last 26 years at the University of Mississippi, Mississippi Valley State University, Mississippi Delta Community College, Holmes Community College, Galveston College, San Jacinto College, and Houston Community College.
She earned a BA, MA and is abd for a PhD in English from the University of Mississippi. A fifth generation Texan, she loves teaching and motivating her students to study hard and achieve their dreams.