page V Contents Section I: Quick Fixes 1 The Rewrite Game 3 2 Just What is Plagiarism? 7 3 It’s Easy Not to Plagiarize 13 4 Examples of the Rewriting Process 15 Section II: Basic Transforms and Exercises 19 5 Deletion 27 6 Rearrangement 23 7 Active Voice « Passive Voice 25 8 Synonym Substitution 27 Section III: Other Useful Transforms with Exercises 29 9 Inversion of clauses 37 10 Indirect Discourse 33 11 Splitting the Sentence 35 12 Using ‘sto Condense 37 Section IV: Expanding Your Skills 39 13 Notes on Change of Voice 41 14 Notes on Synonym Substitution 43 15 More Transforms 49 Section V: Other Things You Should Know 51 16 The Art of Citation 53 17 Plagiarism and the Web 57 18 Why Not Cheat? 63 Appendix: "Measuring" Plagiarism 65page tii 2™' Edition Ry Gary K. Clabaugh La Salle University Edward G. Rozycki Widener University NEWFOUNDATIONS Ye te te Mul ll NewFoundations Press P.O. Box 94 Oreland, PA 19075 www.newfoundations.com1 The Rewrite Game Let’s start leaning how to avoid plagiarism by playing a game. Can you tell what the original was that this next paragraph came from? Come sit and listen to the story of a doomed voyage that left the harbor on this vessel. The co-captain was a buccaneer; the captain, courageous and confident. Five wayfarers embarked on a three-hour excursion. (Wylie & Schwartz, 1963) Can you guess what this is? It is a paraphrase of the theme song of a well-known, though ald, TV sitcom. You probably aren't helped by the citation. Perhaps another kind of citation would help: (Gilligan, 1963) Here is another example: Flicker, flicker, astral speck. What kind of thing are you, by heck. (Anonymous, date unknown) This rewrite of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star is not at all as good or interesting as the original, but that doesn't matter. When you want to use the work of others in your research papers, you don't have to be as poetic, or profound or artistic as they are. You just have to get their ideas across yet avoid plagiarism ‘You do that by rewriting what the original text is and by adding a citation.. You will earn how to do both in this book. Another Example Try to guess the original of this example I swear loyalty to the government and to the banner of the United States of America, a free nation, united and God-fearing, with fair play for everyone. (Citation) You're right. It is the Pledge of Allegiance. No more poetry. No rhythm. But no plagiarism, ei Try your own hand at the Rewrite Game Try playing the Rewrite Game with your friends. Disguise some familiar songs, poems, or texts by rewriting them. In doing so, you will be practicing what you will learnpage 60 Offers 9,500 essays in 44 categories, $9.95 per year, Claims that “Evil House of Cheat is visited by approximately 2,000 students every day.” Offers the book, “How 10 Cheat on, Exams” for sale. Lists student testimonials. For example: “Useful! And I found out how to cheat on CNN!” Nick Ransom Cheater.com http #avwww cheater.com ‘What's your term paper on?” Researchpaper.com nip Aww researchpaper com! the World’s largest collection of topics. School Sucks hntp.#wwww sehoolsucks.com/ ‘Where the students are students, and the teachers are nervous ‘The Paper Store hitp-#avwww allpapers com? ‘Since 1994 has successfully helped more than 20,000 ... students in the pursuit of their respective degrees by providing them with high-quality custom written model term. papers to use as research assistance and as guides inthe preparation oftheir own, original work.” (Sure, and ifyou believe that, we ve gota bridge we id lke 10 sell you. The fauthors.) Caveat Emptor (Let the Buyer Beware) Be aware that papers obtained over the Internet can be just plain awful. We've seen some that are so bad they're funny. Remember too, the information in free or purchased papers might be inaccurate or even plagiarized from some other source. After all, people dishonest enough to encourage fraud can hardly be trusted to have done an honest job on the paper to begin with, ‘There also is the possibility that another student in your class might have submitted the very same paper. Does that sound unlikely? The Washington Post reports that at Virginia Tech four students in one class unwittingly turned in the same term paper because they had coincidentally stolen the same article from the Web, They ended up before the school’s Honor Court. (Victoria Benning, “High-Tech Cheating Hits the Campus: Computers Make it Easy for College Students to Break the Rules.” October 4, 1998, Intemet, hitp://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?TS-... 1&Did-00000003478243782437 &Mtd=17&F mt=3) Remember too, most instructors are well aware of how the web can be used for cheating, In fact, we have provided sophisticated strategies for preventing, detecting andpage 68 FORM C: PLAGIARISM RANKING GUIDE FOR INSTRUCTORS: Is the level of paraphrase acceptable with citation? nal Text (No transform mn) Although the forms of government of European cities were quite diverse in nature, there were certain common pattems. A very large proportion of newly founded cities and towns were governed by popular assemblies ofall the eitizens, whose consent was required For election of | officials and for introduction of new laws. (HLJ. Berman, 1983. Law and revolution. Cambridge Harvard. 397) Rewrite 1: (Deletion only) Although the forms of government of European cities were diverse, there were common patierns. large proportion of new sand towns were governed by assemblies of citizens, ‘whose consent was required for election of officials and introduetion of laws, (Berman, 1983) Rewrite 2: (Active voice < Passive Voice & Deletion & Reordering) ‘Although the forms of government were divers, thete were common pattems, Assemblies of citizens governed a large proportion of new European cites and towns. The election of officials and introduction of laws requited their consent, (Berman, 1983) Rewrite 3: (Synonym Substitution & Active Voice + Passive Voice & Deletion & Reordering) Even though there were varied forms of government in European cities, common patterns could be observed. Citizen assemblies governed most new urban entities, and their consent was required to clect officials and introduce laws. (Berman, 1983) Rewrite (Synonym Substitution & Deletion & Reordering) Fen though there were varied forms of European eity government, common pattems existed. A large proportion were assemblies of citizens whose consensus Was required to clet officials and introduce laws. (Berman, 1983) Rewrite 5: (Synonym Substitution & Active Voice <> Passive Voice) Even though the types of government of European eities were quite varied, here were eertain shared patterns. Popular assemblies of all the citizens governed a large number of recently created cities and towns. Their consent was needed to select dignitaries and to introduce new legislation, (Berman, 1983)page 65, Appendix: “Measuring” Plagiarism What plagiarism is will depend sometimes on what subject area you are studying. In general, those areas where style and expression are given heavier weight, as in English, American Literature and foreign language, will have stricter standards as to what is allowed as a paraphrase. Far less of the original author's text will be permitted. On the other hand, in disciplines where content and information are more important, ‘you will be permitted to use much of the original author's words and phrasing. A good rule to follow is: when in doubt, use the stricter standard. However, you might want to use the scales below to have your instructor, or someone else knowledgeable in the field indicate what is an acceptable level of rewrite to avoid plagiarism. Just have them read the original, then indicate what rewrite they would accept as avoiding plagiarism. Note that each one indicates the transformations used to bring it to that level. All you need do in the future to avoid plagiarism is to use the same transforms. For example, if your instructor looks at example A and tells you that rewrite 4 is acceptable, you note that the transforms used are: + Synonym Substitution & Deletion & Reordering, ‘You can try then to rewrite text you want to include in your papers using only those transforms indicated, But don't rush ahead! Have your instructor look at more than one scale. It is always safer to use an extra transform, than to use fewer.page 60 Offers 9,500 essays in 44 categories, $9.95 per year, Claims that “Evil House of Cheat is visited by approximately 2,000 students every day.” Offers the book, “How 10 Cheat on, Exams” for sale. Lists student testimonials. For example: “Useful! And I found out how to cheat on CNN!” Nick Ransom Cheater.com http #avwww cheater.com ‘What's your term paper on?” Researchpaper.com nip Aww researchpaper com! the World’s largest collection of topics. School Sucks hntp.#wwww sehoolsucks.com/ ‘Where the students are students, and the teachers are nervous ‘The Paper Store hitp-#avwww allpapers com? ‘Since 1994 has successfully helped more than 20,000 ... students in the pursuit of their respective degrees by providing them with high-quality custom written model term. papers to use as research assistance and as guides inthe preparation oftheir own, original work.” (Sure, and ifyou believe that, we ve gota bridge we id lke 10 sell you. The fauthors.) Caveat Emptor (Let the Buyer Beware) Be aware that papers obtained over the Internet can be just plain awful. We've seen some that are so bad they're funny. Remember too, the information in free or purchased papers might be inaccurate or even plagiarized from some other source. After all, people dishonest enough to encourage fraud can hardly be trusted to have done an honest job on the paper to begin with, ‘There also is the possibility that another student in your class might have submitted the very same paper. Does that sound unlikely? The Washington Post reports that at Virginia Tech four students in one class unwittingly turned in the same term paper because they had coincidentally stolen the same article from the Web, They ended up before the school’s Honor Court. (Victoria Benning, “High-Tech Cheating Hits the Campus: Computers Make it Easy for College Students to Break the Rules.” October 4, 1998, Intemet, hitp://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?TS-... 1&Did-00000003478243782437 &Mtd=17&F mt=3) Remember too, most instructors are well aware of how the web can be used for cheating, In fact, we have provided sophisticated strategies for preventing, detecting andpage 39 ‘The pilot's having surprises the controllers. 7, Mary cannot waste her time playing, That is crucial, Mary's being able to is crucial. 8, John is very lucky at cards, That doesn't help my playing, very lucky at cards doesn't help my playing. 9, The Smith’s came late to the hospital. That meant they couldn’t stay long, The Smiths? meant they couldn’t stay long. 10. Joe drives fast. That scares me fast scares me. 11. The students study all night, That doesn’t help at all The students’ doesn’t help at all. 12. Jack works carefully and precisely. That got him the job, Jack's got him the job 13. Mary doesn't need to study, That perplexes her brother. Mary's not perplexes her brother. 14, The driver has picked a different route. That lengthens the trip, The driver's having, lengthens the trippage 10 suppose you only use their phrasing as a starting point, but modify it. That’s called paraphrasing. There is a degree of modification that makes it truly yours. The trick is in deciding when that point has been reached, Ultimately, the teacher has the authority to decide if you accomplished this or not. Here is a safe course of action. Use your own phrasing and give the author who provided the inspiration credit in a reference. Then there should be no problem. Sometimes students new to writing think there is not much difference between citing another's work and just taking it. That's dead wrong. When you write an academic paper it is generally expected that you will use a variety of sources, and even link what you learn from them together. That’s not plagiarism; its research. You're just not supposed to steal another writer's words or ideas without giving them credit, So iff you repeat what someone else wrote word for word, put quotes around it and provide a reference. That's a quote and is perfectly acceptable. If you restate in your own words something another has written, that’s all right too, provided you don’t paraphrase beyond reason and give the author credit in a citation. (A later chapter teaches you how to paraphrase more effectively.) Borrowing Knowledge How did you rate “Borrowing ideas from someone else without noting where they came from? The Oxford American Dictionary defines plagiarism as the unauthorized use of the language and ideas of another author and the representation of them as one’s own, But most of the ideas we walk around with are “borrowed” in the sense that they didn’t begin with us. Where should we draw the line? To determine what requires a reference and what doesn’t, you first need to decide whether what you are referring to is commonly known, Ifnot, then it requires the authoritative backing of a reference. Let’s look at this more closely, Common Knowledge When can you consider something you've learned in the past your knowledge and, therefore, not something you have to cite? Suppose you remember, for instance, that Columbus made his first voyage of discovery in 1492, Do you have to find a citation if you make reference to this date? No you don’t. It “s considered common knowledge and does NOT require a citation. Common knowledge never does. But who gets to decide if it’s common knowledge? You make the initial decision, but your teacher gets the final say. If you are in doubt, then, ask him or her for guidancepage 9 provided your submission isn’t just a paraphrase of the original and the ideas are yours, or referenced. Collaboration and Editing How about example #3, “Writing something with someone else then claiming it to be entirely your own?” That's plagiarism too. Why? Because the writing was done collaboratively, not just by you. Of course, there is nothing at all wrong with writing, collaboratively. As a matter of fact, it's a great way to learn and, as we explain later, the Internet has opened a world of new possibilities. Just make sure you have your instructor's permis ni; and don’t try to pass off something written that way as purely your own. Sometimes it isn’t altogether clear what “writing something with someone else” means, . If someone reads your rough draft, offers suggestions for improvement and you use their ideas to write the final draft yourself, that’s perfectly o.k. In fact, editors routinely offer that sort of help to authors in the publishing industry. But ifthe person “helping” you actually sits down and rewrites your paper and you turn it in as your own, that’s clearly plagiarism, And if someone tells you word for word what to say, but you type it —take dictation, so to speak — that’s plagiarism to0 How far can another person go as an editor before it becomes their writing, not yours? That's not always easy to say. Still, there is a general rule to follow. When you put your name on it, you are, in effect, pledging that you wrote it, So ask yourself, “Can I honestly say that I wrote this?” Ifthe answer is “no,” put more of yourself into the writing before turning it in What about lab reports? Suppose you and a lab partner do an experiment together, how individually must the lab reports be written? Unless the instructor indicates otherwise, lab reports must be written independently and expressed in your own words, And you should reference everything important that is not your own work. It’s also unacceptable to submit someone else’s computer lab work as your own. If she did the program, you shouldn’t take credit, And if you are working, with a partner on a computer project, it’s plagiarism if one does the work yet both take eredit Borrowing Phrases and Paraphrasing How did you rate “Borrowing phrases from someone else’s writing without noting where they came from?” Going by the Dictionary definition, that is plagiarism, Butpage 8 Stolen, Bought and Borrowed Papers ‘There shouldn't be any doubt about stealing another student's paper and turning it in as your own, That’s not only plagiarism, it’s outright theft, But what about buying a paper and turning it in as your own? You bought it, so it’s yours, right? After all, many well- own. Presidential thought-of people pay others for words then make them th candidates hire speechwriters. Celebrities employ ghostwriters. Executives have others write their business reports. Now folks on the World Wide Web are offering to do the same thing for you. Pick any term paper mill web site, such as Evil House of Cheat or Genius Papers, search for what you want, give them your credit card information, and you've bought yourself a paper. Trouble is, it never is OK to buy schoo! papers and submit them as your own, When you tum in a school assignment with your name on it, you are, in effect, pledging that you wrote it, So it’s fraudulent to turn in a purchased paper as your own, What if somebody gives you the paper and says you can use it? Some web sites like ‘School Sucks” or “Absolutely Free Online Essays,” for instance, give papers away. A student writes something, then “gives” it to a web site that makes it available to you. Ina sense, then, you have the author’s authorization to use their work. Is that still plagiarism? ‘You bet, You didn’t write it and that’s what you are claiming by tuming in a paper with your name on it. A Caution In case you are more interested in being careful than in being honest, perhaps we should also caution that papers obtained over the Intemet can be just plain awful, Some we've seen are so bad they’re funny, Remember too, the information in free or purchased papers could be inaccurate or even plagiarized. There also is the possibility that another student in your class might copy the same paper you did and turn it in. (Try explaining your way out of that one.) Plus your teacher probably is well aware that there are cheat sites on the web and knows how to check your paper for authenticity Perhaps we should also mention borrowing organization from someone else’s paper. ‘Web cheat sites routinely declare, probably to protect themselves legally, that papers you get from them should be used as models and for facts, not for plagiarism, Let's suppose you get such a paper and, to be safe, just borrow its manner of organization. That's o.k.,page 7 2 Just What is Plagiarism? pla-gia-rize (play-ja-riz) v.to take and use another person's ideas or writings or inventions as one’s own. (Oxford American Dictionary) Despite straightforward dictionary definitions like this, it isn’t always easy to say ‘what is or isn’t plagiarism, Try it yourself, Rate these examples, marking our “plagiarometer” to indicate the degree of plagiarism. > Plagiarism 1, Stealing another student's paper and turning it in as your own, | Borderline Not Plagiarism DO 2. Buying something written by someone Plagiarism else and turning it in as your own. Borderline Not Plagiarism > Of Plagiarism 3. Wri 1g something with someone else then claiming it to be entirely your own, [ Borderline Not Plagiarism > OF Plagiarism 4, Borrowing phrases from someone BP Borderline else’s writing without noting where they came from. Not Plagiarism 7 OF 5. Borrowing ideas from someone else Plagiarism without noting where they came from Borderline Not Plagiarism13 14. 15. 16. 17. 18, 19, 20, page 6 Would that I found myself in cotton-growing territory. My past life there lies still in memory. (Civil War song) And if you ever observed that snout you would contend that it emitted radiation at just above the infrared frequencies, (Christmas song) Oh, my honey! Oh, my lover! Oh, my sweetie, Turpentine, Coming back you will for never. I feel awful, Turpentine! (Folksong) Looking through my eyelids weary, in ambience both dark and dreary, perusing tomes not light nor cheery, tapping on my chamber floor... (E. A. Poe) To scratch the unscratchable itch; to wear the unwearable shoe; to eat the inedible sandwich; to stir the unstirrable stew... (Man of La Mancha) How ravishing the firmament! Undulating golden wheat! Imperial purple summits, overlook abundant flatlands! (Patriotic song) The Ursine family receives an unwelcome visitor. Triple preparations of porridge, chair and bed are spoiled by the fair-locked intruder. (Childrens? story) Carry me to the game field! Dump me into the herd! Buy me a sausage and foaming brew, I don’t care if I never get through! (Sports song)page 5 Addi nal Items Rewrite Game Items (with hints): 1, We have confidence in a Supreme Being, (from U.S. currency) All you are is a hunting dog, always whining, You have never captured so much as a hare; I don't consider you a buddy. (Elvis Presley hit, circa 1958) 3. Avoid passing "Advance." Proceed without delay to prison, Relinquish obtaining a pair of Franklins. (playing card from familiar board game) 4, One cent held on to is one cent acquired. (Saying - attributed to B. Franklin) 5. The teeny-weeny arachnid ascended the downflow pipe. Precipitation downflow then gave the bug a wipe. (Children's song/poem) 6. In order to show proper respect to the opinions of other human beings, one must give reasons describing the situation that compels one people, under special circumstances, to separate itself from another. (Governmental document) 7. They're ookey and they're kooky; and rather kind of pukey; and altogether spooky, the family. (Old TV show theme) 8. A hundred containers of fermented fizz, one hundred containers of fizz. If one container should break on the floor, we still have a fizzier ninety-nine more, (Old college anthem.) 9. Ms, Merry had an infant and named him Little Nate, She tossed him in the swimming pool to watch him navigate. (Jump rope rhyme.) 10, Twelve A.M. and the sidewalk is silent. Has Luna gone loony? She's grinning in solitude, (Lyric from "Cats.") 11, A certain woman, who can't tell what's real and what's fake, is attempting to acquire possession of a celestial escalator. (Led Zeppelin lyric) 12, On this bright, cloud-dispersing moming, I'm going to where it smells good. (Theme song from children's TV show.)page 4 more thoroughly in this book. And most important, you will be learning writing skills that will stand you in good stead for the rest of your academic life Some More Examples ~ try to figure out the original A. It has been eighty-seven years in this North American land since our ancestors acting freely created a new form of government based on the idea of human equality (Citation) Hint: Presidential Speech. B. There was a beautiful woman, alone in the world with her three daughters. She met man, who, too, had no one but his three sons. They married and formed one family called ... (Citation) Hint: TV show theme C. The thing I have to answer is whether to go on existing or not. Is it better to face the hardships of life or to commit suicide? Dying, it's like going to sleep. Sleeping... and maybe dreaming? (Citation) Hint: Shakespeare. D. It is impossible to deny that God has created all human begins equal and given them the right to live, to conduct themselves in freedom and to go after the things that make them happy. (Citation) Hint: Governmental Document E, An elderly mountain-dweller, while foraging for game one day, discharged his ‘weapon inadvertently puncturing the surface of the earth, To his wonderment, a black liquid began to ooze forth. He had discovered on his domain a source of fossil fuel. The commercial exploitation of this natural wealth enabled him and his family to repair to sunnier climes, (Citation) Hint: TV show.page 60 Offers 9,500 essays in 44 categories, $9.95 per year, Claims that “Evil House of Cheat is visited by approximately 2,000 students every day.” Offers the book, “How 10 Cheat on, Exams” for sale. Lists student testimonials. For example: “Useful! And I found out how to cheat on CNN!” Nick Ransom Cheater.com http #avwww cheater.com ‘What's your term paper on?” Researchpaper.com nip Aww researchpaper com! the World’s largest collection of topics. School Sucks hntp.#wwww sehoolsucks.com/ ‘Where the students are students, and the teachers are nervous ‘The Paper Store hitp-#avwww allpapers com? ‘Since 1994 has successfully helped more than 20,000 ... students in the pursuit of their respective degrees by providing them with high-quality custom written model term. papers to use as research assistance and as guides inthe preparation oftheir own, original work.” (Sure, and ifyou believe that, we ve gota bridge we id lke 10 sell you. The fauthors.) Caveat Emptor (Let the Buyer Beware) Be aware that papers obtained over the Internet can be just plain awful. We've seen some that are so bad they're funny. Remember too, the information in free or purchased papers might be inaccurate or even plagiarized from some other source. After all, people dishonest enough to encourage fraud can hardly be trusted to have done an honest job on the paper to begin with, ‘There also is the possibility that another student in your class might have submitted the very same paper. Does that sound unlikely? The Washington Post reports that at Virginia Tech four students in one class unwittingly turned in the same term paper because they had coincidentally stolen the same article from the Web, They ended up before the school’s Honor Court. (Victoria Benning, “High-Tech Cheating Hits the Campus: Computers Make it Easy for College Students to Break the Rules.” October 4, 1998, Intemet, hitp://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?TS-... 1&Did-00000003478243782437 &Mtd=17&F mt=3) Remember too, most instructors are well aware of how the web can be used for cheating, In fact, we have provided sophisticated strategies for preventing, detecting and