So we had an essay we did like 2 weeks ago for american studies and i did it and finished it. my friend from the same class didn't know how to do APA format so i just gave him my paper and said look don't copy it and if you do change it up you know. now today we've been caught of "plagarism" and she said why shouldn't she report us and that she'll talk to us about it on friday. What should me and my friend say to her so we don't get kicked out of school for like a year? I didn't do anything wrong really and i am getting punished. If we get through this the worst that can happen is we get kicked out of that class only. I can't afford to get kicked out of college cause i just started and am on financial aid and what not and would be in a lot of trouble and my family would get mad at me. Please help me convince the professor to not report us!
2007-09-26 09:44:17 · 7 answers · asked by the worr e ore 5 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Actually, you both did something wrong even though his offense is worse than yours. You should never have given him your paper to begin with but he certainly shouldn't have copied it. There is no way you can be kicked out of college for this incident. First of all, plagiarism implies that you copied the paper from a published source which you didn't. She will never be able to make that stick and there is not a college disciplinary group that would consider what you did an offense serious enough for expulsion.
Of course, in the interest of handling this in a diplomatic way that will appease your professor, you might not want to go in there with the attitude that "you'll never make this stick." So - your best bet would be to ask your professor if you can write another paper to make up for the one that was copied by your friend. You might even agree to reduced credit and explain to her that you are willing to write another paper to prove you can produce a quality essay. This will show your willingness to work hard and to accept some form of punishment. Good luck!
2007-09-26 09:56:37 · answer #1 · answered by arkiemom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would appear that your friend did plagiarize and your friend is in a world of deep $**7. You also plagiarized though because, technically, allowing someone else to use your work in an assignment is aiding the plagiarism. In fact, you write here that you allowed plagiarism of your work with the statement "said look don't copy it and if you do change it up you know" implying that you were fully aware of how your paper would be used.
You may be able to recover from this by pleading ignorance. You are a newbie and newbies make mistakes. However, if this professor gave a long lecture and hand-out in the beginning of class about plagiarism, it'll be a hard debate on your part.
Most often, the best route is to accept responsibility and make no excuses. Something like "I should have known not to let someone use my paper......." and then rely on the mercy of the professor or simply accept the results.
Your friend may well be "dead meat" on this one. He has likely clearly failed this class. You may be in the same boat - it's up to her interpretation.
Usually, one minor instance of plagiarism (this is a minor incident) isn't sufficient to be suspended from school. It is always sufficient to warrant a fail on the class.
2007-09-26 16:57:14 · answer #2 · answered by CoachT 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Admit what you did -- gave your paper to your friend -- and accept the penalty. You should not argue with the professor because you are running the risk of making things worse. Plagiarism -- intentional or unintentional is wrong. Keep in mind that if the college and university has the policy in writing and she fails to report you that she could face consequences for that. Accept responsibility, and if she reports the offense, go to the appeals board and ask for leniency. AND DON'T GIVE YOUR PAPERS OUT.
2007-09-26 16:54:35 · answer #3 · answered by svengteach 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry about you AND your friend should say -- worry about you should say. Your friend plagiarized and should be kicked out of school. You, on the other hand, just did something stupid.
You should send an E-mail to your teacher right now explaining that your friend wanted an example of something written in the APA format, so you offered to show him your paper as an example. Tell her that you told him to use it as a reference but to write his own paper.
The truth is always the best way.
2007-09-26 16:51:49 · answer #4 · answered by Ranto 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Tell her the truth and tell her that it'll never happen again and that you'll do anything to make it up to her. I'm not sure if you'd want to tell her the truth becuase you said "..to not report US" but you should because it was bad judgement on both your parts and if your honest maybe she'll go easier on you.
2007-09-26 17:05:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You did wrong by giving your paper to your friend. Stand up straight go into her office explain what and why you did. Take your possible punishment like the adult you are.
2007-09-26 16:53:39 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just tell her the truth, your friend should confess, cause you told him not to cheat ... talk to him first, and ask him what you both are gonna say... good luck.
2007-09-26 16:59:12 · answer #7 · answered by brandonleesheart 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋