Identifying Plagiarism

Plagiarism

What is it, how do we keep from doing it?

​https://www.plagiarism.org/video/understanding-plagiarism-with-help-from-dr-seuss

​https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/purdue_owl.html

​For this presentation:

​

We will be using Green Eggs and Ham, written by Theodor Seuss Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) in 1960, to help us understand plagiarism.

​

We will be using MLA Format

(Modern Language Association)

​

​

For the following examples, imagine that your assignment is to write a paper about perception of unfamiliar food.

​

Green Eggs and Ham is one of your sources.

​Common types of plagiarism:

​https://www.turnitin.com/static/plagiarism-spectrum/

In-text citation example

​Direct quote:

The creature, Sam-I-Am, identifies himself early on by stating, "I AM SAM. I AM SAM. SAM I AM" (Geisel 1).

​Quote

​Author & page number

​Quotations must be identical to the original, using a narrow segment of the source. They must match the source document word for word and must be attributed to the original author.

​Paraphrase citation example

Paraphrasing involves putting a passage from source material into your own words.

A paraphrase must also be attributed to the original source.

​

Paraphrased material is usually shorter than the original passage, taking a somewhat broader segment of the source and condensing it slightly.

Paraphrase​

Though identified early in the narrative, we do not know Sam-I-Am's motivation for trying to persuade the unnamed Guy-Am-I to eat green eggs and ham (Geisel 1).

Poll

Many people do not like green eggs and ham

Is this plagiarism?

• YES!

• NO!

YES​

​The phrase, “do not like green eggs and ham,” was taken directly from someone else's work, word for word, and was not cited appropriately.

​

It was Dr. Seuss's work, so he needs to be credited

​Many people do not like green eggs and ham

​

Is this plagiarism?

Poll

Many people “do not like green eggs and ham.”

Is this plagiarism?

• YES!

• NO!

YES​

​The phrase, "do not like green eggs and ham” is in quotes, showing that it is in fact someone else's work, but there is no reference listed as a citation.

​Many people “do not like green eggs and ham.”

​

Is this plagiarism?

Poll

Many people do not like green eggs and ham​ ​(Geisel 1).

Is this plagiarism?

• YES!

• NO!

YES

While a citation is present, the phrase “do not like green eggs and ham” is still taken word for word from someone else's work. The lack of quotes implies that these are your words, which they are not.

​Many people do not like green eggs and ham​ ​(Geisel 12).

​

​Is this plagiarism?

Poll

Many people "do not like green eggs and ham" (Geisel 12).

Is this plagiarism?

• YES

• NO

​No

​The phrase “do not like green eggs and ham” is in quotes, showing that it is in fact someone else's work, and the correct citation is in place. However, most instructors would prefer you to paraphrase a quote as short as this one.

​Many people "do not like green eggs and ham" (Geisel 12).

​

​Is this plagiarism?

Poll

Many people dislike green eggs and ham (Geisel 12). 

Is this plagiarism?

• YES

• NO

​YES

​This is not adequate paraphrasing. The sentence structure is still too similar to the original quotation, and you can't put this one in quotes because it is not the exact words of Geisel.

Many people dislike green eggs and ham (Geisel 12)​

​

​Is this plagiarism?

Poll

When something is unfamiliar or foreign to us, we tend not to judge it fairly (Geisel 12).

Is this plagiarism?

• YES

• NO

​No

This is an adequate paraphrasing that accurately represents Geisel's message and is clear and easily understood.

When something is unfamiliar or foreign to us, we tend not to judge it fairly (Geisel 12).

Is this plagiarism?