Student
Conduct
The University of Washington
expects its students "to maintain the highest standards of academic conduct,"
as per its Statement
of Academic Responsibility. Students who plagiarize are not only jeopardizing
their grade and losing the opportunity to really learn, but they are also
are devaluing the work of their fellow classmates and diminishing the reputation
of the University of Washington--which can make your degree less valuable.
What
IS Plagiarism?
Part of the process of learning
is hearing and discussing other people's ideas. When we incorporate those
ideas into something we write, it is very important to credit the owner
of those ideas. When credit is not given--even unintentionally--we have
plagiarized, i.e., stolen someone else's words, theory, opinion, etc.
There are 6 common mistakes
you can make that can be seen as plagiarism (from the UW Committee on Academic
Conduct):
1. Using another writer's
words without proper citation.
If you use another writer's words,
you must place quotation marks around the quoted material and include a
footnote or other indication of the source of the quotation.
2. Using another writer's
ideas without proper citation.
When you use another author's ideas,
you must use a citation to indicate where this information can be found.
Your instructors want to know which ideas and judgments are yours and which
you arrived at by consulting other sources. Even if you arrived at the
same judgment on your own, you need to acknowledge that the writer you
consulted also came up with the idea.
3. Citing your source but
reproducing the exact words of a printed source without quotation marks.
Not using quotation marks makes
it appear that you have paraphrased rather than borrowed the author's exact
words.
4. Borrowing the structure
of another author's phrases or sentences without crediting the author.
Simply replicating another writer's
style does not demonstrate much intellectual work on your part. (see paraphrasing).
5. Borrowing all or part
of another student's paper.
6. Using a paper writing
"service" or having someone else write the paper for you.
Note: Although the terms "paper"
and "words" are used above, plagiarism is not limited to this medium. Other
work can consist of graphics, charts, art, data, computer programs, websites,
or diagrams. Sources for ideas can be movies, plays, email, lectures, speeches,
or photos.
Questions? Confused?
Always ask!
If you need further assistance,
please contact Debra Revere. |
