Declaring Boundaries for Plagiarising

Plagiarism takes place when an individual uses another's literary work without giving them credit for it. Dissemination of ideas is also a phrase for copying an idea, which is not literal copying and takes place anywhere you look (Posner 303). This thievery occurs throughout high school and college writing courses as they are only after the passing grade, rather than learning how to write effectively, which is an important skill. Plagiarism should be punished in most cases, but when defined broadly, it could have social value and be harmless (Posner 304). As more research is done online, the copy and paste method makes it easier than ever to steal another's work without accrediting them for it. According to Lawrence M. Hinman, plagiarism required forethought before the Web; now, however, term-papers can be completed with a card and Internet connection, while the students get plenty of sleep. This process may be fightable with tools that can check for plagiarized material (297).  Students must learn at a young age that someone else's work can not be a substitute for theirs, and that will provide a good foundation for their future research. Literary work must get the credit that is due, and plagiarism is unacceptable. As we push young writers into the creative arena, says Deborah R. Gerhardt, the rules of writing should get the same attention as would a college basketball play, and if they want to stay in the game, the students should know them (299-301). The process of writing, with drafts and peer-review, are important to avoid such acts, but this may not even stop the theft of the author's ideas, or the student and teacher's time (Segal 307). Students should research and take notes, but they must always include the credit to give the original author, as well as use this research as a head start. Not all information is common sense, and the work just needs to direct the reader to the original source, rather than deceive them.

Works Cited

 

Gerhardt, Deborah R. "The Rules of Attribution." Chronicle Review. 26 May, 2006.

 

Hinman, Lawrence M. "How to Fight College Cheating." Washington Post. 3 September, 2004.

 

Posner, Richard A. "The Truth About Plagiarism." Newsday. 18 May, 2003.