Identify plagiarism
Key notes:
1. Definition of Plagiarism
- Plagiarism is the act of using someone else’s work, ideas, or intellectual property without giving proper credit.
- It can occur in written assignments, presentations, art, and other creative works.
2. Types of Plagiarism
- Direct Plagiarism: Copying someone’s work word-for-word without citation.
- Self-Plagiarism: Reusing one’s own previous work without acknowledgment.
- Mosaic Plagiarism: Mixing copied phrases with original text without proper citation.
- Paraphrasing Plagiarism: Restating someone else’s ideas or text without credit.
3. Importance of Citing Sources
- Citing sources gives credit to the original authors and helps readers trace the information back to its source.
- It enhances the credibility of the work and helps avoid plagiarism.
4. Recognizing Plagiarism
- Look for inconsistencies in writing style or vocabulary that differ from the student’s usual work.
- Check if sources are missing when using facts, quotes, or data.
- Be cautious of overly sophisticated language that does not match the student’s typical writing level.
5. Tools for Detection
- Introduce plagiarism detection software (e.g., Turnitin, Grammarly) that can help identify copied content.
- Teach students to use online search engines to check for similarities in text.
6. Consequences of Plagiarism
- Discuss potential academic penalties, such as failing grades or disciplinary action.
- Emphasize the ethical implications and the importance of honesty in academic work.
7. Promoting Academic Integrity
- Encourage original thought and creativity.
- Foster a classroom environment where asking for help and collaborating is valued.
8. How to Avoid Plagiarism
- Take notes carefully and summarize information in your own words.
- Keep track of sources during research and create a bibliography.
- Learn proper citation formats (e.g., MLA, APA) to give appropriate credit.
let’s practice!
Compare the student text with the source.
Source: James Harbeck, ‘How to Identify Asian, African, and Middle Eastern Alphabets at a Glance’. Published in The Week, 2016:
Lao is the language of Laos. Its letters have little loops, and some have bigger flatter loops on top too.
Student text:
Harbeck shares how the letters in Lao, the language spoken in Laos, have little loops, and some have bigger flatter loops on top too.