Plagiarism

Plagiarism, Copyright, "Fair Use", and Paraphrasing

(aka: "giving credit where credit is due")

Introduction

No doubt about it, copyright and proper citation of resource use are definite issues in projects that require research. As a responsible teacher, I not only must be sure that I adhere to the laws, but that you, my students, also follow suit. Here is a refresher so that you don't have to open the Hinsdale Writing Guidelines.

When I assign certain activities, you may want to "borrow" graphics or base your work on other resources. It is up to me to teach and require you to follow proper copyright and citation procedures; just as you do in your face-to-face classes. I'm not talking about clipart that comes with programs. I'm not talking about your own art and photographs. You should credit yourself when you post your own material, as well, so that people will credit you if they use it. If you put either your e-mail or link, if you have one, they should contact you and ask your permission.

Plagiarism/Copyright/"Fair Use" Activities

We are going to look at this with all the seriousness required. The reading may take as little as a half an hour and, for some, an hour or more. You will be scanning for "multimedia", "students" responsibilities. Please, absorb this. It is very important - ethically and legally. Please read the three documents which are attached here: Sample Copyright Request, Plagiarism, Copyright, and "Fair Use" , and Fair Use.

Try some of the links in Plagiarism, Copyright, and "Fair Use". Most of this will be entail content you have already reviewed in several classes. Please pay attention because you will need this as you do research and write the assignments. Save a copy of the Sample Copyright Request on your hard drive and clean out the example so that when you need to e-mail it, you can copy, rename and write what you need to ask and paste it into your e-mail to send it off. There is an excellent copyright tutorial which I am including the "Fair Use" document because the links focus on the facts and interpretations that most concern you - The Students - How do I navigate my way through producing an assignment to earn a good grade, BUT not break the law?

Paraphrasing

One of commonly misunderstood techniques used in research is paraphrasing. Our writing guidelines have a good expalnation of the tool. The Online Writing Lab at Purdue University has a singularly excellent explanation with example - OWL PARAPHRASE . There is a technique involved in paraphrasing that requires practice. The point of fact where misunderstanding arises is with regards to the legal requirement to cite the source from which you wrote the parahrased passage.