Can I plagiarize in an exam?

Question

If I am asked to explain something in an exam and I write down almost the exact wording that I memorized from my readings or reviewers, would that be plagiarism? If, for example, I am asked to explain a theory, may I use the words that I memorized as a definition of the theory? I'm not saying it's my theory. I'm merely defining it based on what I was able to study.

Answer 1

Being asked to define something that you learned is not plagiarism. You are being tested on the whether or not you have learned what is in your books. An ability to recall the information is not plagiarism.

Answer 2

If it's a "fill in the blank" or question where it's obvious where you got your answer then yes you can right word for word memorizations... but if it's essay form and there's more than one source from which you're drawing in that entire response it's best to put the sources in parenthesis.

You can cite all you want though, if that's the case -- no prof gets mad at citations, and better safe than sorry if you can remember it.

Remember, plagiarism is plagiarism, no matter the circumstances, but if the question is asking about a specific source of info, it's obvious where it came from. You will fail a course in a second if you pick the wrong time to not cite, though, so be careful -- and if there's any doubt, there is no doubt.

Answer 3

You are answering a question not publishing a paper or book.

You are not plagiarizing.

If you feel real anal about it, just preface the answer with "according to schmuzzle........."

Only if the person who posited the idea was named schmuzzle of course; you use whomever name is appropriate.

Answer 4

it's understood the reference or source unless you are asked to make footnotes and probably considered generic .