W.C. Mepham High School English Department Plagiarism Policy
English Department’s Purpose of Instruction:
The English curriculum at Mepham High School guides students in the language arts skills required by the NY State
Education Standards. Classroom teachers apply direct instruction to establish skills so that students can utilize researched
writings without presenting another’s thoughts or words as their own. These skills include paraphrasing, summarizing,
making commentaries, using direct quotation, and providing appropriate citations for sources when necessary. In this
manner, students can avoid the act of plagiarism.
What is plagiarism?
According to Alexander Lindey (Plagiarism and Originality)—as he is cited in Joseph Gibaldi’s MLA Handbook for Writers of
Research Papers—plagiarism refers to “a form of cheating” that can be defined as “the false assumption of authorship; the
wrongful act of taking the product of another’s mind, and presenting it as one’s own.” The following dishonest acts constitute
the different forms of plagiarism:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
using another writer’s thoughts, ideas, or line of thinking idea without properly citing the writer, even if
paraphrasing.
copying text from the work of another student, from published sources (Cliff Notes, Monarch Notes, books,
magazines, newspapers, etc.), and/or from the Internet (“cutting-and-pasting”) without proper documentation.
This includes copying an entire paragraph, or just a few sentences or apt phrases.
submitting work written for another assignment or class as new work.
“borrowing” ideas or text from classmates, fellow students, or past students for an assignment, paper, or
examination.
purchasing works (papers, essays, or other written assignments) that did not originate with the person using the
materials. This information constitutes—but is not limited to—information retrieved from the Internet or
fellow/past students.
aiding or allowing your ideas, assignments, papers, and/or examinations to be copied by another student. This
offense receives the same penalty as copying.
How can plagiarism be avoided?
The student is required to cite all borrowed ideas, material or text. If a student is unclear as to how to go about this, he/she
may ask an English teacher the proper citing procedures, as well as refer to the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research
Papers for its different rules and examples for citing sources. This text is available in the library and on the Bellmore-Merrick
Library Resources Web page, http://www.bellmore-merrick.k12.ny.us/library.html.
What are the consequences for those charged with plagiarism?
Since plagiarism constitutes academic theft, it is an offense that will not be tolerated. Any student who submits an
assignment that shows evidence of plagiarism in one or more of the aforementioned forms will be subjected to the following
consequences:
First Offense depending on the circumstances may result in:
1. The student will earn a grade of ZERO (0) on the assignment.
2. The student’s parents and guidance counselor will be notified of the offense.
3. The teacher reports the plagiarism on a written referral, which will be included in the student’s file.
Subsequent Offenses may result in:
1. Above procedures and all of the student’s current teachers will be notified
2. A parent conference will be held with the student’s teacher and counselor
3. The student may be ineligible/dropped from any organization that honors academic achievement (i.e. National
Honors Society).
Is it possible to appeal a plagiarism charge?
A parent who wishes to appeal the plagiarism charge must contact the high school administrator authorized to handle such
cases within three (3) days of notification of the plagiarism offense.
I have read the Mepham High School English Department Plagiarism Policy and understand that plagiarism
will result in the consequences outlined above.
Signed __________________________
Parent/Guardian
Date
__________________________
Signed __________________________
Student
Date
__________________________