My boyfriend is being accused of plagiarism for a paper that me and my mom helped him write. He goes to a good school, and the summer class film-studies teacher is actually an english professor.
We did not intentionally use the same words, and though we changed the phrasing we did not do a good job at using a thesaurus either.
Please help - he's never been in this situation before and does not know how to begin to discuss it with his prof.
2007-06-27 09:03:06 · 7 answers · asked by makepeacenotchaos 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Plagiarism is not avoided by finding synonyms. It's avoided by citing the sources of the ideas you're using. If you're restating someone else's work without giving their name and where they first wrote it, you're still plagiarizing.
If he didn't understand that, his best defense is to say "I guess I didn't realize what plagiarism really was, so I will accept that I plagiarized, but maintain that it was an honest, albeit ignorant, mistake."
It might not get him out of it without consequence, but it's the right thing to do.
Tell him to convey that he's willing to rewrite the paper and cite the information adequately.
2007-06-27 09:12:55 · answer #1 · answered by Buying is Voting 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most schools take plagiarism very seriously and usually if it's a first offense, he might be asked to rewrite the paper under certain conditions. Sometimes, he might get suspended for a few weeks. It depends on the school's policy.
It would be very good for him to speak to the professor and tell him exactly what happened. Some professors might sympathize since it is the first time.
Tip: plagiarism can be avoided by remembering to attribute information to the source, even when you paraphrase (just in case). Always acknowledge and attribute your sources. There's no other way out.
2007-06-27 09:11:48 · answer #2 · answered by bluepassion_life 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
speak to the professor and state that it was an honest mistake or strange coincidence that the words are very similar. Ask for the opportunity to rewrite the paper. If nothing else he may want to drop the class. Academic dishonesty is a big problem on his record.
If you rewrite, keep in mind that just changing the words of an idea you are still taking the idea. Site your source or change the phrase COMPLETELY!
2007-06-27 09:09:02 · answer #3 · answered by Jennifer M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the fault of our alleged "educational" system. Sixty percent is considered a passing grade in high school when it should be nothing below 85% for a pass. We have bought into the belief that kids should feel happy. That everyone's work is equally good. Our high schools should be as competitive as the workplace. Year round. And math and science should be the center of the curriculum. Reading should be taught from non-fiction science texts. Fiction should be for pleasure reading only. Something ppl do because they want to. We should take the ritalin away from the kids and teachers should be expected to maintain their classes without drugs, without "teaching aids," and without sending anyone to the office for a time out. If you can't do that, teaching is not for you. No, it's not the fault of religious nut-jobs, it's the lack of quality in educators and the prevalent philosphy that "no child is left behind."
2016-04-01 07:52:13 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At our school we use turnitin.com but you have to register through your class because the teacher has to set it up 1st and then give the students the class ID and password. But it gives you the exact % of plagiarism and tells you from what sources. Don't know if that helped any.
2007-06-27 09:08:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you used word for word it's going to be hard to prove you didnt plag...talk to the professor & the dept chair
2007-06-27 09:11:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stop copying his stuff and do your own work. Everyone was right, Cheating hurts more than just you.
2007-06-27 09:11:54 · answer #7 · answered by kevrigger 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋