A. Why does this assignment invite plagiarism?

Write a 10-page research paper on a topic relevant to this course. Use correct APA documentation. Your paper is due April 27. You must use the University Writing Center.

B. Why is—or isn’t—this series of assignments better than A?

On each of the following dates—1/27, 2/24, 3/24, and 4/27—turn in a 250-word critique of an article that relates to the list of class topics that is on your syllabus. Summarize the article in 3-4 sentences. Explain how it adds to, contradicts, or provides a different perspective on the topic, as we’ve covered it in class. If you quote, do so briefly, and cite in APA style. Choose your articles from the list provided on our class website.

C. How does this series of assignments compare to A & B?

For 1/27: Choose a statement from the list on the syllabus. In about 150 words, explain why you agree or disagree (e.g., “Scientific study is inconclusive about causes of global warming.”)

For 2/24: Choose 2 articles from the class list that relate to the topic you chose on 1/27. In 250 words, read, summarize, and explain how each article adds to, contradicts, or expresses a different perspective from yours. Document and cite in APA style. Study the student example on our class website.

For 3/24: Find 2 print or Internet articles that deal with the topic you chose. The articles should balance fact and informed opinion. In 250 words, briefly summarize and critique each. Attach print copies of the articles to your critique. Before I collect your work, two classmates will comment on your critique and check your use of APA documentation. I’ll use a rubric to evaluate your work.

For 4/12: Turn in a 400 to 500-word reflection on how you have a more informed opinion of your topic. Cite all 4 sources in APA style. You must address the following questions: Why has your opinion changed—or remained the same? What specific information from your reading affected your opinion—and why? How do you know this information is reliable? What questions or doubts do you still have about this topic? How would you respond reasonably to people who contest your opinion? NOTE: I may ask you to revise if your reflection is incomplete, poorly written, or incorrectly documented. Consider going to the University Writing Center.

“Plagiarism is using someone else’s idea (usually a written idea) without giving proper credit for the idea—a failure to cite adequately.
“Copyright infringement is using someone else’s creative idea, which can include a song, a video, a movie clip, a piece of visual art, a photograph, and other creative works, without authorization or compensation, if compensation is appropriate.
“Schools enforce plagiarism.
“The courts enforce copyright infringement.”

“In an instructional setting, plagiarism occurs when a writer deliberately uses someone else’s language, ideas, or other original (not common-knowledge) material without acknowledging its source.”

“Plagiarism, simply defined, is taking someone else’s words or ideas and representing them as being your own…. Specifically, the following are examples of plagiarism:

1. A paper or assignment actually written in whole or part by another.
2. A paper or assignment copied word-for-word or with only minor changes from a book, magazine, or other source.
3. A paper copied in part from one or more sources, without proper identification and acknowledgment of the sources.
4. A paper which is merely a paraphrase of one or more sources, using ideas and/or logic without credit, even though the actual words may be changed.
5. A paper which quotes, summarizes or paraphrases, or cuts and pastes words, phrases or images from an Internet source without identification and the address of the Web site.

“The attempt of any student to present as his or her own work that which he or she has not produced is regarded by the faculty and administration as a serious offense.  Students are considered to have cheated if they copy the work of another during an examination or turn in a paper or an assignment written, in whole or in part, by someone else.  Students are guilty of plagiarism, intentional or not, if they copy material from books, magazines, or other sources or if they paraphrase ideas from such sources without acknowledging them.  Students guilty of, or assisting others in, either cheating or plagiarism on an assignment, quiz, or examination may receive a grade of F for the course involved and may be suspended or dismissed from the university.”

NIU Online Tutorial on Academic Integrity.....http://www.ai.niu.edu/ai/students/
Copyright and Fair Use in the Classroom & on the Internet....http://www.umuc.edu/library/copy.html
“Teaching about Plagiarism in a Digital Age”....http://www.ncte.org/pubs/chron/highlights/122871.htm
Handout from Purdue OWL....http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_plagiar.html
Anti-Plagiarism Strategies...http://www.virtualsalt.com/antiplag.htm
Plagiarism and the Web...http://www.wiu.edu/users/mfbhl/wiu/plagiarism.htm

Writing Across the Curriculum
B. Peters.........815-753-6718
bpeters@niu.edu