What Is Plagiarism?
It's okay to copy graphics off the web for use in coursework, right? It's okay to use a quote from an article as long as the wording is changed around a bit, right? It's okay to copy information from the course textbook to use in a research paper, right? Wrong! These are all forms of plagiarism and can result in severe consequences for you.
The Santa Fe Student Conduct Code defines plagiarism as:
"The attempt to represent the work of another as the product of one's own thought, whether the work is published or unpublished. "Plagiarism" includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. This applies to speech and electronic media as well. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling or distributing of term papers or other academic materials." Santa Fe Student Conduct Code, Article I, O.2.
Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty and is a serious offense that may result in failing a class, expulsion from Santa Fe or even denial of credit for classes taken. For a complete outline of disciplinary sanctions for academic dishonesty, see the Santa Fe Student Conduct Code, Article IV, page 10.
Examples
The following are all examples of plagiarism:
- Copying another's word exactly without citing the source.
- Copying a work exactly without putting it in quotes, even if the source is cited.
- Paraphrasing another's words without citing the source.
- Using an image, sound clip or video found on the internet without citing the source.
- Having someone else write the paper for you.
- Using a paper you wrote for another class.