Paper #1: Plagiarism
NOTE: While you are reading this paper, reflect on the citation errors
this student made when writing this paper.
Plagiarism
What is Plagiarism? The dictionary defines plagiarism as a piece of
writing that has been copied from someone else and is presented as being
your own work. One of the other meanings about the act of plagiarizing
is that taking someone's words or ideas as if they were your own (Webster,
1976).
Plagiarism can always be placed under the violations categories in the
Academic booklet in every College or University throughout the nation.
It can also be seen as a law to prevent cheating on somebody else's work.
In other words, it benefits peoples' invention in order to keep their work
under their own control. While reading through the Rutgers Academic Catalog
1998-2000, I can see that violations at this University can be divided
into four levels.
1. Level one of violations talked about the ignorance or inexperience
on the part of the person(s) committing the violation and ordinarily involve
a very minor portion of the course work (Rutgers University Academic 1998-2000
Catalog). These violations are considered on academic merit and not typically
as disciplinary offenses. One of the examples is improper footnoting or
unauthorized assistance on academic work. This could considered to be plagiarism
and should be punished by the University.
2. Level two violations occur if a person is involving incidents of a more
serious nature and affects a more significant aspect or portion of the
course. An example of this is if a person is quoting directly or paraphrasing
without proper acknowledgement on a moderate portion of the assignment
(Rutgers University Academic 1998-2000 Catalog). This example could also
be seen as plagiarism and could also be punished.
3. Level three violations mention involving dishonesty on a significant
portion of course work, such as a major paper or final examination. Violations
that are premeditated or involve repeat offenses of level one or two are
considered level three violations. An example from this level is plagiarizing
major portions of an assignment (Rutgers University Academic 1999-2000
Catalog). This is the most serious plagiarism problem that a person could
get under the University's law, and whoever is caught attempting this violation
could be expelled from the University for one year or even forever.
4. Level four, based on the book, is just the repetition of the other three
levels. By repeatedly plagiarizing, people could cause more problems Rutgers
University Academic 1998-2000 Catalog).
Based on those four violations, plagiarism in every school is one of the
most serious problems. It is one of the worst habits that everyone could
have. It makes yourself look bad not only because of your cheating, but
it also says you're a lazy person and you might not be successful in your
life because of that habit.
Most of all, I think the University should be really strict on plagiarism,
because as we all know, the less plagiarism there is in this society, the
better this society will be.
References
Rutgers University Academic 1998-2000 Catalog.
Webster Dictionary, 1967.