Definition and Consequences of Plagiarism
Due to the serious nature of plagiarism, there are serious consequences. Plagiarism is another form of cheating.
To avoid any misconceptions, the following spells out the definition, nature of the offense, and the consequences.
Plagiarism is defined as: the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own.
One can take part or all of another’s and it is still plagiarism. It takes many forms: copying work word for word;
paraphrasing another’s words, copying an another’s style and sequence of thought, copying another’s ideas…
always plagiarism is passing off someone else’s work, idea, style…as one’s own without credit to the original
work.
Consequences:
1. To copy another student’s homework is a form of plagiarism. A zero is earned for any students involved in
the copying, the giver and the taker. Next to the zero in power teacher will be a note explaining the grade.
2. Students who work together and hand in the same work (paraphrased) will earn a zero. Collaborative
assignments must be approved before the assignment is started. If not students will not be given credit.
3. Cheating on tests in any form equals a zero.
4. Any plagiarism on a written work like essays and projects results in a zero.
Derived Style Plagiarism.
5. Copying a writing style on a paper is plagiarism and results in a zero. Writing style means the student may
have paraphrased, mimicked or transposed sentence order, or used the author’s style of writing.
For example: Author Joy Hakim writes: There are so many myths about John Pierpont Morgan that we need to get a few
things straight. He was not the richest man in America. Rockefeller and Carnegie were richer. And he was not the most
powerful man in America. There were two or three men who were more powerful. But he was very rich and powerful and
vain and arrogant. Which means he was very sure of himself.
If a student writes: John Pierpont Morgan (JP) was a powerful man. He was also rich. He was also arrogant, vain, and very
sure of himself. However, he was not the richest man in America nor was he the most powerful. Others such as Carnegie and
Rockefeller were richer and others had more power.
The two sound familiar because the student not only copied the thoughts of the author but derived the author’s
style of writing. When in doubt ask for help from the teacher.
Review:
Plagiarism may take many forms, including the following:
1. Copying word for word from any outside source without proper acknowledgement. This applies to use of
an entire paper, to use of entire sections and paragraphs, and to the use of a few words and phrases
2. Paraphrasing ideas from any outside source without proper acknowledgement.
3. Submitting in whole or in part a paper written by another student.
4. Submitting in whole or in part an assignment written for another course.
5. Allowing one’s essay, assignment, or test answers to be copied by another student
Penalty of Plagiarism
It will be presumed that any use of outside sources without proper acknowledgement is with intent to deceive. It
will be presumed that students who allow their work to be plagiarized do so with the intent to deceive. Any essay,
research paper (in part or total), assignment or test that shows any evidence of plagiarism in any form will receive
a zero. Plagiarism also constitutes expulsion or omission from the National Honor Society. Students who repeat
the offense will be subject to a parent conference and further action if necessary.
I have read and understood the policy as stated:
Student Signature: __________________________________________________________________
Parent/ Guardian signature: __________________________________________________________________