PLAGIARISM

In the media industry, there is very little worse than the theft of intellectual property. Also, it wastes my time to grade a paper that is not yours. As a result, I am taking a VERY hard line on this point.

Plagiarism takes two forms. The first is based on the value or the ideas taken. The second is based on the volume of the work taken.

1. Value - Not properly citing the source of work used.

It adds credibility to your paper to use the ideas of others PROVIDED you give credit for the idea. Plagiarism in this form is like a trademark violation. You do not need to take much to violate the creator. Key concepts and novel interpretations must be cited. Facts not generally available or known must be referenced. When in doubt, cite early and often.

Make it clear who said what. Do not let the reader be confused what your source said and what is your opinion. A cite at the end of the paragraph is often not clear enough.

2. Volume - Taking too much from one source.

If you quote more than ten words from another person it must be cited. Less than ten may fall under the rule one above.

Quotes of over three lines (30 words) must be indented to make it apparent that it was a quote. A list may be used if appropriate.

Quotes of 75 to 200 words will be looked at with suspicion. I will try to decide if the quote that valuable.

No quotes are allowed over 200 words.

An edited quote using an ellipse (...) is subject to the same word counts as continuous quotes.

A paraphrase is subject to the same limits as a continuous quote. However there is more latitude for length.

There is often a consideration when too much is taken from a single person. While this may not be plagiarism per se, it at least makes me wonder why your paper is needed. Remember, academic research is not a news report. The news report tells people something they do not already know. The academic goal is to say something no one else has ever said.

Penalties

As in all cases of academic dishonesty, I reserve all rights. However, here are my choices.

In cases of marginal plagiarism, I will give an incomplete to the class and allow the paper to be corrected. This is CORRECTED but not redone entirely.

In cases of more serious plagiarism The offender can fail the class and be dropped from the graduate program. Undergraduates will face similar penalties.

I will refuse to serve on graduate committees of those that have plagiarized.

No acceptable letter of reference will be available to those that have committed any form of academic dishonesty.

Instead of trying that, how about this: