Writing a paper involves reading. A great deal of reading. In fact, writing is all about reading. A writer that doesn't read is usually not a very good writer. By reading, we learn how to write better. We can appreciate the beauty of another author's words on the page as they describe the human condition. So often we writers are Empaths, soaking in the world's emotion. We reflect everything that everyone around us is feeling, by taking it to the page. When someone else writes a really great line, frequently, I'll think, "ah, that's gorgeous…why didn't I come up with it?" After all, I feel the same way…I just didn't get it on paper first. Now, it's too late. The line is theirs and I can't have it.
Although, we writers steal from one another all the time. It's true. We do. But when we do it in the right way, it's ok. For instance, it was through Stephen King that I learned the art of conveying inner emotion through inner dialogue with just a few words. He doesn't make a character have a complete conversation with themselves (not all the time), but he'll move the plot forward omnisciently and throw in a short thought or two so we stay connected to the character. He reminds us we are in the character's head but we also know we are outside of the character.
If, however, I were to steal lines from Cujo where the mailman is talking about "keeping the mail moving" as he's delivering the mail, that would be stealing from Stephen King in a bad way.
So, stealing technique to some degree, is ok. Many authors teach technique and structure in courses during downtime when they're between books. Many are professors are also authors. I've stolen an adjective from an author, but was it really his? I didn't use it in the exact same way he did, so was using the same word in a remotely similar context stealing?
Plagiarism is illegal and wrong. If you get caught plagiarizing a paper, you will fail and you might even be subject to expulsion. Taking the easy way out is not worth the difficulty of student trial, heartache and the soiled reputation that will follow you for the rest of your career. Plus you will have wasted money on tuition, books, boarding, and if it was your parent's money…I can't imagine what kind of trouble that will cost you.
Once a professor has completed their Ph.D or MFA, they have read so many papers, books and journals that you will have hard time coming across something in the way of theory or fact that they have not read. When a professor is suspicious of a student's paper, consulting with one or two colleagues is usually all it takes until someone knows where the plagiarized work came from. Most professors will know the exact article from which either the concept or verbiage has been stolen. Even if a work is only paraphrased, which means not quoted exactly, if the idea is taken and reworded and not credited, it is plagiarism.
In today's advanced and developing technology, we have not only fellow professors to rely on but the internet has made it easier than ever to find out if a student has cheated. Software recognition programs have been developed specifically for the detection of plagiarism. They are highly reliable.
So, now that you understand what plagiarism is, don't do it. Always cite your sources when you paraphrase or quote content from another author. When writing a paper, in order to lend it credibility, you're supposed to quote and use sources, just not for the whole content. Use your head, if it feels like you're copying from the book or not coming up with your own ideas, then you are not. You're plagiarizing and it's wrong. You will get caught.
Although, we writers steal from one another all the time. It's true. We do. But when we do it in the right way, it's ok. For instance, it was through Stephen King that I learned the art of conveying inner emotion through inner dialogue with just a few words. He doesn't make a character have a complete conversation with themselves (not all the time), but he'll move the plot forward omnisciently and throw in a short thought or two so we stay connected to the character. He reminds us we are in the character's head but we also know we are outside of the character.
If, however, I were to steal lines from Cujo where the mailman is talking about "keeping the mail moving" as he's delivering the mail, that would be stealing from Stephen King in a bad way.
So, stealing technique to some degree, is ok. Many authors teach technique and structure in courses during downtime when they're between books. Many are professors are also authors. I've stolen an adjective from an author, but was it really his? I didn't use it in the exact same way he did, so was using the same word in a remotely similar context stealing?
Plagiarism is illegal and wrong. If you get caught plagiarizing a paper, you will fail and you might even be subject to expulsion. Taking the easy way out is not worth the difficulty of student trial, heartache and the soiled reputation that will follow you for the rest of your career. Plus you will have wasted money on tuition, books, boarding, and if it was your parent's money…I can't imagine what kind of trouble that will cost you.
Once a professor has completed their Ph.D or MFA, they have read so many papers, books and journals that you will have hard time coming across something in the way of theory or fact that they have not read. When a professor is suspicious of a student's paper, consulting with one or two colleagues is usually all it takes until someone knows where the plagiarized work came from. Most professors will know the exact article from which either the concept or verbiage has been stolen. Even if a work is only paraphrased, which means not quoted exactly, if the idea is taken and reworded and not credited, it is plagiarism.
In today's advanced and developing technology, we have not only fellow professors to rely on but the internet has made it easier than ever to find out if a student has cheated. Software recognition programs have been developed specifically for the detection of plagiarism. They are highly reliable.
So, now that you understand what plagiarism is, don't do it. Always cite your sources when you paraphrase or quote content from another author. When writing a paper, in order to lend it credibility, you're supposed to quote and use sources, just not for the whole content. Use your head, if it feels like you're copying from the book or not coming up with your own ideas, then you are not. You're plagiarizing and it's wrong. You will get caught.
