Writing on the Blog: Identifying Plagiarism
Plagiarism Activity (Aarane, Pavni, Michael)
- Excerpt from page 23 of an article in 2011 by William Ellis entitled “Culture in Transition.”
World problems such as poverty, pollution, war, and hunger are inherent in the current system of world order based on nation-states and economic competition. They can be solved if people know and understand one another on a global, grass-roots basis. By developing people-to-people linkages irrespective of national borders, we can start to ameliorate global tensions and inequities.
Student versions:
Is this plagiarism or not? Y or N
__Y___William Ellis asserts that world problems such as poverty, pollution, war, and hunger are inherent in the current system of world order based on nation-states and economic competition (p. 23). This is plagiarism because the student copies Ellis’s text word for word, and does not put quotation marks around it.
__Y___Global tensions and inequities can be solved if people begin to help one another on a grass-roots basis, moving beyond the current world order of economic competition (Ellis 23). The citation is wrong here, it should be (Ellis, 2011, p. 23).
__N___Ellis (2011) argues that global problems are often a result of exploitation inherent in
economic competition. He contends that “grass roots….people-to-people linkages irrespective of national borders” can do much to ease global tensions (p. 23). This is not plagiarism because the student correctly uses quotation marks on the area that they took from the original text.
__Y___Economic competition is at the basis of many of the world’s problems (Ellis 23). Only by seeing ourselves as a single family without the separation of national boundaries can world tensions begin to be eased. This is plagiarism because again the student did not paraphrase the text correctly, and assumes the author means this.
__Y___Ellis (2011) argues that world problems are caused by overpopulation and that the only
possible solution is an enforced tax on families who have more than one child (p. 23).
This is plagiarism because the student is adding information that was not shown in the text, and also assumes that they are paraphrasing.
Original Text:
Alaska’s wetlands provide many benefits including: food and habitat for wildlife, fish and shellfish species, natural products for human use and subsistence, shoreline erosion and sediment control, flood protection, and opportunities for recreation and esthetic appreciation.
Hall, Jonathan V., W. E. Frayer, and Bill O. Wilen. Status of Alaska Wetlands. 4 Nov. 1997.
Web. 12 Mar. 2011.
Student Version:
Alaskan wetlands offer advantages such as erosion and flood control, homes and food for
wildlife, and natural beauty and products for humans’ benefit.
- Original Text:
Assertive individuals tend to feel more in control of their lives, derive more satisfactions from their relationships and achieve their goals more often. They also will obtain more respect from, and inspire confidence in, those with whom they interact since they tend to be viewed as strong characters who will not be easily swayed.
Hargie, O., Saunders, C., & Dickson, D. (2000). Social Skills in Interpersonal Communication.
London: Routledge, p. 271.
Student Version:
Because they are not readily influenced, assertive people gain respect from others, and they experience success in guiding their own lives, nurturing good relationships, and achieving their goals (Hargie, Saunders, and Dickson, 2000, p. 271).
The student’s version is a paraphrasing of the original text and correctly refers to the citation in the in-text citation. Since this is a paraphrase and not a direct quotation, the page number is not required nor is the book name. Instead of (Hargie, Saunders, and Dickson, 2000, p.271), there should just be (Hargie et al., 2000). There is a minor error in the in-text citation as if there are two or three more authors, et al. would follow after the first name.
- Original Text:
A new to recycle bald tires has been developed by researchers at the University of Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station. Instead of hanging them on trees as swings, they’re using them as mulch around the base.
“Tires Return as Mulch.” Popular Mechanics 94.2 (2000): 22. LEXIX-NEXIS. Web. 31 July
2011.
Student Version:
A Popular Mechanics article notes that University of Georgia researchers have found a new use for worn tires: instead of having them on trees as swings, they’re using them as mulch (“Tires Return”).
This student plagiarized, because they did not paraphrase, and did not have the quotation marks around the area that is directly copied. They just had the APA citation wrong. This student acknowledges here they got the information, and they are paraphrasing the original text. The correct APA citation for this article is (“Tires Return as Mulch”, 2011). Since there is no author, the title and year of publication is necessary when citing an article.
Group Writing on the Blog: Evaluating an Artifact
This artifact is a cartoon used as a header for an article titled Working for Racial Justice as a White Teacher by Kristina Rizga on a white teacher named Robert Roth who actively attempts to teach history without racism.
The cartoon shows a white educator who is presumed to be Roth using chalk to teach diverse students about history. The signs pictured say “Education and Justice” are most likely referring to the desegregation movement of schools and then the next sign says “Now” referring to the BLM movement.
This artifact
is somewhat effective as it does show that white educators need to be working actively to teach students about history in America from all perspectives, not just the white one. It also shows black students being outlined which shows that this educator is teaching about black history. However, there is a lack of content as there are limited words and therefore make this argument not as strong as it could be.