· use phrases, quotes, or ideas not your own;
· paraphrase the work of another even though you may have changed the wording or syntax;· use facts or data not considered common knowledge;
· submit a paper written for another class (academic dishonesty);
· submit a paper from an essay service or agency even though you may have paid for it (these papers are usually of low quality, so you probably did not get your money’s worth);
· submit a paper by another person even though he or she may have given you permission to use it.
You should also note that plagiarism not only encompasses written work, but also computer data, research, musical scores, video programs, and visual arts.
Plagiarism is a serious issue, especially in an academic environment. Teachers must be able to rely on the integrity of a student’s work in order to maintain a climate for successful learning. Plagiarism reflects on character; therefore, you should diligently avoid inadvertent plagiarism. When you are unsure if acknowledgement is needed, ask your teacher. The penalties for blatant plagiarism include loss of all credit for the assignment. This may significantly lower your final grade. Furthermore, according to the EPCHS student handbook:
“Students engaged in academic dishonesty such as, but not limited to, intentional plagiarism, giving or receiving help during an examination, obtaining copies of tests or scoring devices prior to an examination, tampering with the examination instrument, or impersonating another student to assist him academically, will be subject to disciplinary action” (14).
We will discuss methods for avoiding plagiarism as the school year progresses.