Plagiarism :(

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High School English Teachers Chatboard

Plagiarism :(

by Elizabeth C.

Dec 28, 2012

I'm posting this because I'm extremely frustrated and would like to know if anyone else has the same issue.

Two weeks ago, I assigned a very basic/elementary report for my 11th grade students to write alongside a presentation to the class over their topic. Since this is American Lit., students had to choose from a variety of historical topics.

As stated, the report was very basic: three paragraphs where the student introduces the topic in the first paragraph (5W's and H). The second explains it's significance to America at the time, and the last explains it's impact on us/the world today.

I noted in the assignment that the second and third paragraphs had to be in their own words. I did not state that the first, which is primarily factual, had to be in their own words. But I did remind them many times in the computer lab that they needed to include in-text citations, if necessary.

As I'm grading these reports, I'm finding that almost every single r...See MoreI'm posting this because I'm extremely frustrated and would like to know if anyone else has the same issue.

Two weeks ago, I assigned a very basic/elementary report for my 11th grade students to write alongside a presentation to the class over their topic. Since this is American Lit., students had to choose from a variety of historical topics.

As stated, the report was very basic: three paragraphs where the student introduces the topic in the first paragraph (5W's and H). The second explains it's significance to America at the time, and the last explains it's impact on us/the world today.

I noted in the assignment that the second and third paragraphs had to be in their own words. I did not state that the first, which is primarily factual, had to be in their own words. But I did remind them many times in the computer lab that they needed to include in-text citations, if necessary.

As I'm grading these reports, I'm finding that almost every single report is taken verbatim or copy/pasted in chunks from various web sites. When I say everyone, I mean 96% of my class. I never noted they needed in-text citations in the assignment because I believe they have to know this by now - any fact/figure/piece of information they get from an outside resource must be cited parenthetically AND must be directly quoted if used verbatim. Unfortunately, this isn't the case.

I'm docking major points for the plagiarism - mainly because I can't grade writing that isn't their own and to show them that if they continue doing this they will not earn a good score - in my class or elsewhere. As a result, almost every student is going to fail the assignment.

I feel comfortable with the method I'm using to grade, but I can't help be feel incredibly frustrated by the fact they they don't know that they can't copy/paste information without directly quoting, without using only quotes in a paper (which a few have done), and without properly citing their information. Am I the only one to feel this way? Are there any solutions to it, other than spelling it out EVERY time I go over an assignment (which I think is ridiculous at the 11th grade level)?

I'm not a frequent poster of this, so if this has been discussed before, excuse me! I'm just really frustrated. ~Elizabeth C.

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You could probably get around the complaints On 12/30/12, Elizabeth C. wrote: > Thanks for the encouraging words, everyone! I'm nervous (which > is, again, ridiculous!)about starting back and having to deal with > the reactions of my students and their parents, but I feel better > about sticking with my gut on this. My administration isn't very > cooperative at all, as they lik...See More

Dec 30, 2012

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Modern Everyman I agree with Elizabeth's advice, for the most part. Or maybe you could tell them that was a rough draft that they failed and the final draft will be worth twice the amount of points. And I'd definitely save the papers.

That story about the father is hilarious. Quite the world we live in...

On 12/30/12, You could probably get aroun...See MoreI agree with Elizabeth's advice, for the most part. Or maybe you could tell them that was a rough draft that they failed and the final draft will be worth twice the amount of points. And I'd definitely save the papers.

That story about the father is hilarious. Quite the world we live in...

On 12/30/12, You could probably get around the complaints wrote: > On 12/30/12, Elizabeth C. wrote: >> Thanks for the encouraging words, everyone! I'm nervous (which >> is, again, ridiculous!)about starting back and having to deal with >> the reactions of my students and their parents, but I feel better >> about sticking with my gut on this. My administration isn't very >> cooperative at all, as they like to avoid any confrontation >> whatsoever, so I might have to bump up the small extra credit I >> allowed my students to work on to appease them that I'm giving >> them "tough love," but I hope that maybe having them see the >> failing grades with the project will help us get a program like >> turnitin.com. I really think something like that will help me >> (and my other English/LA staff) teach better. >> >> Happy New Year! >> ~E. > > > By scrapping the assignment and saying, "Let's take this from the > top, shall we? Everybody cheated, which is lame, and there will be > no mercy for anyone who ever, ever plagiarizes again. But I'm going > to give you a chance to redo the assignment. Just make sure you're > turning in YOUR work this time, because I could just as easily give > every one of you the F's you deserve." > > Poof! Now you're a benevolent hero. > > But hang onto their plagiarized papers. If any parent raises hell, > just print out the web page where the text of the "research" first > appeared, staple it to the front of the student's paper (sneaker ads > and all), and the parent will have no ground to stand on. Have only > had one parent fly off at this, and it turned out that HE had > "written" his son's paper and was basically furious that I'd caught > HIM plagiarizing!

Dec 30, 2012

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Modern Everyman I understand why you're nervous...it's not ridiculous at all. Sorry to hear about your administration...let me know what you find out about turnitin.com. I started looking into it, but my district has no money so I gave up. I'm glad you're taking a stand...teachers are often the only ones who care...if we don't, no one will. Happy New Year!
...See More

Dec 30, 2012

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Elizabeth C. Great advice! In the past, when I have had a similar (yet, not so extensive) issue, I have given that opportunity, and it's turned out okay. However, this was the last project on the semester, and next year we start fresh with a NEW research paper (an "official" research writing, and a lengthy one at that). I don't want to be burdened with two writ...See MoreGreat advice! In the past, when I have had a similar (yet, not so extensive) issue, I have given that opportunity, and it's turned out okay. However, this was the last project on the semester, and next year we start fresh with a NEW research paper (an "official" research writing, and a lengthy one at that). I don't want to be burdened with two writings and my other coursework (for this and my other preps), so I've decided to give them the grade for this semester, and then use their papers to show how to correct any plagiarism issues for the next. It's the only fair thing I can think of, given the odd situation.

Thanks for the tips!

On 12/30/12, You could probably get around the complaints wrote: > On 12/30/12, Elizabeth C. wrote: >> Thanks for the encouraging words, everyone! I'm nervous (which >> is, again, ridiculous!)about starting back and having to deal with >> the reactions of my students and their parents, but I feel better >> about sticking with my gut on this. My administration isn't very >> cooperative at all, as they like to avoid any confrontation >> whatsoever, so I might have to bump up the small extra credit I >> allowed my students to work on to appease them that I'm giving >> them "tough love," but I hope that maybe having them see the >> failing grades with the project will help us get a program like >> turnitin.com. I really think something like that will help me >> (and my other English/LA staff) teach better. >> >> Happy New Year! >> ~E. > > > By scrapping the assignment and saying, "Let's take this from the > top, shall we? Everybody cheated, which is lame, and there will be > no mercy for anyone who ever, ever plagiarizes again. But I'm going > to give you a chance to redo the assignment. Just make sure you're > turning in YOUR work this time, because I could just as easily give > every one of you the F's you deserve." > > Poof! Now you're a benevolent hero. > > But hang onto their plagiarized papers. If any parent raises hell, > just print out the web page where the text of the "research" first > appeared, staple it to the front of the student's paper (sneaker ads > and all), and the parent will have no ground to stand on. Have only > had one parent fly off at this, and it turned out that HE had > "written" his son's paper and was basically furious that I'd caught > HIM plagiarizing!

Dec 31, 2012

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You're so welcome, and your plan makes perfect sense. nfm On 12/31/12, Elizabeth C. wrote: > Great advice! In the past, when I have had a similar (yet, not so > extensive) issue, I have given that opportunity, and it's turned out > okay. However, this was the last project on the semester, and next year > we start fresh with a NEW research paper (an "official" research > writing, and a lengt...See MoreOn 12/31/12, Elizabeth C. wrote: > Great advice! In the past, when I have had a similar (yet, not so > extensive) issue, I have given that opportunity, and it's turned out > okay. However, this was the last project on the semester, and next year > we start fresh with a NEW research paper (an "official" research > writing, and a lengthy one at that). I don't want to be burdened with > two writings and my other coursework (for this and my other preps), so > I've decided to give them the grade for this semester, and then use > their papers to show how to correct any plagiarism issues for the next. > It's the only fair thing I can think of, given the odd situation. > > Thanks for the tips! > > >> On 12/30/12, Elizabeth C. wrote: >>> Thanks for the encouraging words, everyone! I'm nervous (which >>> is, again, ridiculous!)about starting back and having to deal with >>> the reactions of my students and their parents, but I feel better >>> about sticking with my gut on this. My administration isn't very >>> cooperative at all, as they like to avoid any confrontation >>> whatsoever, so I might have to bump up the small extra credit I >>> allowed my students to work on to appease them that I'm giving >>> them "tough love," but I hope that maybe having them see the >>> failing grades with the project will help us get a program like >>> turnitin.com. I really think something like that will help me >>> (and my other English/LA staff) teach better. >>> >>> Happy New Year! >>> ~E. >> >> > On 12/30/12, You could probably get around the complaints wrote: >> By scrapping the assignment and saying, "Let's take this from the >> top, shall we? Everybody cheated, which is lame, and there will be >> no mercy for anyone who ever, ever plagiarizes again. But I'm going >> to give you a chance to redo the assignment. Just make sure you're >> turning in YOUR work this time, because I could just as easily give >> every one of you the F's you deserve." >> >> Poof! Now you're a benevolent hero. >> >> But hang onto their plagiarized papers. If any parent raises hell, >> just print out the web page where the text of the "research" first >> appeared, staple it to the front of the student's paper (sneaker ads >> and all), and the parent will have no ground to stand on. Have only >> had one parent fly off at this, and it turned out that HE had >> "written" his son's paper and was basically furious that I'd caught >> HIM plagiarizing!

Dec 31, 2012

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