Another Warning About Plagiarism: DON'T DO IT!!

Students sometimes feel overwhelmed by essay assignments in English 1101 or 1102; nevertheless, turning to an essay service or wikipedia is not a wise idea. Remember that if a student is caught plagiarizing, he/she receives an automatic zero on the assignment. Not only have the words or ideas been stolen, not only has the writer received a zero, but the writer has not attempted any real critical thinking. Without the necessary critical thinking that goes into writing a collegiate essay, he/she has gained less than zero from the experience. 

 Please note that the entire paper does not have to be copied for a student to be guilty of plagiarism; even if a portion of the paper comes from another source, that source MUST be identified. Students are working on argumentative research essays; please be vigil and diligent: DO NOT PLAGIARIZE.

Sadly, here is an example of plagiarism.

From the student's paper:

"Go-Go is a subgenre associated with Funk that originated in the D.M.V. area (Washington D.C., Maryland,   Virginia) duirng the mid 1960s to late 1970s. A great number of bands contributed to the early evolution of the genre. Many of the credit though goes to The Young Senators, Black Heat, and notably singer-guitarist Chuck Brown who is considered "The God-Father of Go-Go". . . . Go-Go's essential best is characterized by a syncopated, dotted rhythm that consists of  a series of quarter and eight notes . . . ."

 From widipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go-go_music:

Go-go is a subgenre associated with funk that originated in the Washington, D.C., area during the mid- 1960s to late-1970s. It remains primarily popular in the area as a uniquely regional music style. A great number of bands contributed to the early evolution of the genre, but The Young Senators, Black Heat, and notably singer-guitarist Chuck Brown and The Soul Searchers are credited with having developed most of the hallmarks of the style. . . . ^[1]

In technical terms, "Go-go's essential beat is characterized by a syncopated, dotted rhythm that consists of a series of quarter and eighth notes (quarter, eighth, quarter, (space/held briefly), quarter, eighth, quarter)… which is underscored most dramatically by the bass drum and snare drum, and the hi-hat… [and] is ornamented by the otherpercussion instruments, especially by the conga drums, timbales, and hand-heldcowbells."^[2]

Good Question about Reference Essays

From: Heard, Makaeta J.
Sent: Tue 11/6/2012 9:40 PM
To: Aiken, Sharon B.
Subject: Argumentative Essay- Works Cited


Mrs Aiken,
   The essays for the topic Is Walmart good for America are not in the 12th edition of the textbook, and that is the edition that I have. I have found these essays online, but if I cite them from online I will not have the sources from the textbook that I need. What should I do  . . . . will my grade be affected since I will not have at least two sources from the book?

__________________________________

No--those essays that are on the side are essays that would be in the book, if you had that edition. No points will be taken off for using them; indeed, you are doing exactly what you need to do. You can cite those essays on the sidebar using easybib, as though they were from a website, which they are.  Thank you for the question--I can see how that could be confusing and distressing. I will pass this on to all classes.

I appreciate your concern!

ahem . . .

THIS is how serious I am about all the information concerning the research paper AND its application:

SO . . . WHAT'S DUE WHEN?

Understand that this IS stressful. Understand that you DO have a deadline. Even if you are an intelligent, gifted writer, the process of writing a research paper takes time.

For this week AND next:

1. If you do not already have your own thoughts expressed clearly following your introduction, you need to do so. Knowing what YOU know, knowing what YOU think initially is one way to know for a certainty what must be documented in your paper, which is any idea or words from another source. Even if you paraphrase their words or suggest their idea, you MUST use a citation. When in doubt, CITE IT. The first step, though, is knowing your own mind. YOUR FIRST DRAFT IS DUE THURSDAY.

2. If you have not already done so, you need to read the essays in the text or online that are associated with your topic. Select those that best support your position--as well as those that may challenge your position. Remember: you will need to present both sides of the issue, providing evidence (facts and expert opinion) and logic to prove that your claim deserves consideration by an intelligent, skeptical reader who is eager to play devil's advocate.

3. Once you have selected the essays from the text, you will still need additional support. Look for it online via Galileo, a much more reliable source than Google. You should be able to access Galileo easily after you access it via the MSC homepage. If you have trouble, get the password from the library. Give yourself time to do research, reading, and processing of information.  

4. BE CERTAIN THAT FOR ALL REFERENCES YOU USE, WHETHER FROM THE TEXT OR ELSEWHERE, THAT A BIBLIOGRAPHIC ENTRY HAS BEEN MADE TO BE USED FOR THE WORKS CITED PAGE. WORKS CITED PAGE IS DUE THURSDAY

5.  As you read the articles/essays, take notes--MAKE CERTAIN THAT YOU KNOW WHERE EVERY NOTE CAME FROM SO THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO INCLUDE CORRECT INTERNAL CITATIONS. NOTES AND 2ND DRAFT ARE DUE NEXT TUESDAY

6.  Next Tuesday, I will answer any questions you have regarding your own paper

7. FINAL DRAFT IS DUE NEXT THURSDAY: 4 PAGES + WORKS CITED PAGE = 5 PAGES

WARNING: Automatic Failure

Failure to include a Works Cited page  = 
Automatic Failure

Failure to include internal citations =
Automatic Failure

Failure to hand-in hard copy of paper on time =
Automatic Failure

Cliches and old sayings become what they are because they are true:

Failure to plan is planning to fail.

Self-Check for Research Paper

Research Paper Self-Evaluation

Complete and On Time:
_____ Topic- clearly identified, defined
_____ Bibliography – 5 sources/references, at least 2 from textbook
_____ Research Notes
_____ Rough Draft

Presentation (MLA format)
􀂉 One-inch margins
􀂉 Double-space throughout
􀂉 Do not skip lines between paragraphs
􀂉 Half-inch indent for first line of all paragraphs
􀂉 Correct headers
􀂉 Correct heading
􀂉 Correct use of typography: 11- or 12-point Times New Roman

Unity
􀂉 Adequately limited focus
􀂉 Clear thesis statement
􀂉 Topic sentences help prove thesis
􀂉 Information is relevant to your thesis
􀂉 Information captures readers’ attention
􀂉 Information offered is fresh and insightful

Introduction
􀂉 Gripping opening sentence/hook
􀂉 Compelling introductory strategy (reader wants to read on)
􀂉 Smooth transition between hook and thesis

Conclusion
􀂉 Thesis reiterated in light of your argument
􀂉 Effective concluding strategy—not merely a summary of your essay

Cohesion
􀂉 Clear and logical organization
􀂉 Clear topic sentences in all body paragraphs
􀂉 Effective concluding sentences where needed

Transitions (clear connections)
􀂉 Within paragraphs _ Between paragraphs
􀂉 Between paragraphs and thesis
􀂉 Between your writing and cited material

SUPPORT
􀂉 Convincing evidence for thesis and topic sentences
􀂉 Relevant information to thesis
􀂉 Credibility of Internet source uncertain
􀂉 Effective balance of paraphrasing, summarizing, and quoting
􀂉 At least 3 citations per page

􀂉 Context provided for all borrowed material (not only in parenthetical citations)
􀂉 Authority of every author established with first reference
􀂉 Comment thoroughly on the relevance of every citation—relevance to your point in the immediate paragraph and to your overall thesis  

DOCUMENTATION

􀂉 Documentation of ALL (!!!!) paraphrases, summaries, and quotations (anytime you use someone else’s words, ideas, or information)
***plagiarism will result in a “zero” for the paper***
􀂉 Correct MLA parenthetical-citation format
􀂉 Correct use of quotation marks
􀂉 Use of only ONE  block quotations (this paper is too short for extended quotations)

Format of MLA “Works Cited” Page(s)
􀂉 Use alphabetical order
􀂉 One-inch margins _ “Works Cited” at top
􀂉 Quotation marks needed
􀂉 Underlining needed
􀂉 Hanging indent for all entries with 2 or more lines
􀂉 Double-space all entries
􀂉 Do not skip lines between entries

EDITING
Diction (choice of words)
􀂉 Wordiness
􀂉 Avoid clichés
􀂉 Awkward wording
􀂉 Avoid slang
􀂉 Artless repetition
􀂉 Avoid use of “you”/ “your”
􀂉 Key terms not defined
􀂉 Vague language

Sentence Skills
􀂉 Avoid sentence fragments
􀂉 Avoid comma splices
􀂉 Avoid run-ons sentences
􀂉 Avoid meaningless verb tense shifts and incorrect verb forms
􀂉 Make sure subjects and verbs agree
􀂉 Pronoun/antecedent reference unclear
􀂉 Revise faulty parallelism
􀂉 Monotony in use of sentence patterns (use a balance of simple, compound, and complex sentences)

Lecture Notes: Basic Steps In Research

1Find out which format the professor wants; not all research papers use the same format

a.    English – MLA--http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

b.      History – Chicago

c.       Social Sciences/Education – APA

2Find a reference or guide that explains how the paper should be presented

                                a.      Font, margins, paper, etc. – the general appearance

                                b.      Whether a title page is needed

                               c.      How the paper is bound – folder, paper clip, staple, etc.

3.       Number of ACCEPTABLE references required for the paper & the type of reference

                                   a.      Reliable references !!!!  DO NOT take the first reference that come up on Google!!

                                 b.      To Wikipedia—or NOT Wikipedia – how to use Wikipedia INTELLIGENTLY

4Spend time familiarizing yourself with the research material; NO ONE uses all the research  information in the paper; the point is to become a mini-expert on your topic; experts pick and choose the best information that is suitable for their  work. 

5.  THE SKILL OF WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER COMES WHEN THE WRITER INTEGRATES SELECTED RESEARCH INFORMATION INTO THE PAPER

6.   After finding resources that are reliable, create a bibliographic entry for your reference; the compilation of these references will be appear on the last page of your paper as the Works Cited Page

a.       Author

b.      Title

c.       Facts of publication

d.      http://www.easybib.com/

7.      After preliminary reading, THEN begin to take specific notes that support your topic—again, NOT everything an author says will be used. When you do find important information you think you can use in your paper, make a note.

a.       Note card

b.      Highlight

What is most important is that you have the exact location of where the information

NOW—you’re finally ready to sit down and incorporate your research into your paper for your 2nd draft