1. Plagiarism (An Introduction)
For Centennial High School Students and Teachers by
Mrs. Mirka
(Teacher Librarian)
2006

2. Plagiarism “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

3. (And why you should care!)
What is plagiarism?
(And why you should care!)
During high school you’ve written many essays about your opinions without referring to other sources of information. Some subjects that you’ll be taking will require writing that will need research so that you may go beyond your personal experience. Most papers in history and literature will rely on the thoughts and ideas of others.

4. 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

5. The Importance of Being Ethical
Not giving credit for your sources is like 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

6. 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)

7. You Have Plagiarized! 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)
You Have
Plagiarized!

8. (Job, big game, too much homework!)
Excuses
Everyone does it!
It’s okay if
I don’t get caught!
I was too busy to
write that paper!
(Job, big game, too much homework!)
This assignment
was BORING!
I’ve got to get
into
??? U.!
My teachers
expect
too much!
My parents
expect “A”s!

9. 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?

10. Real life consequences:
Kaaya Viswanathan's novel How Opal Mehta Got Wild, Got Kissed and Got a LifePicture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Kaavya Viswanathan, a gifted Harvard student, came to public attention when her debut novel was reveled to have been plagiarized
Consequences:
Promising young author with a $500, book deal and a movie deal with Stephen Spielberg loses all!

11. Real life :
The Chiffons, one of the most definitive “girl groups” of the 60’s. Album cover: Amazon.com
George Harrison unintentionally copied portions of his hit “My Sweet Lord” from the song “He’s so fine” by the Chiffons
Consequences:
George had to pay $587, to settle the court case filed against him

12. Real life :
Photo from WashingtonSpeakersBureau, 2005
Boston Globe Journalist Mike Barnicle was found to have plagiarized a number of his newspaper articles
Consequences:
Mike Barnicle, considered a top journalist, was fired from his job at the Boston Globe

13. 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 it worth
the risk?

14. 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)

15. This is the end of the slide presentation
Thank you
This is the end of the slide presentation