An Innovative Way to Deal With Plagiarism

14 of undergraduates and 7 of graduate students admitted to fabricating or falsifying a bibliography.

An Innovative Way to Deal With Plagiarism

Creating a short blended learning course is a good way to help students learn how to quote and paraphrase sources and use proper citations.

As a high school English teacher, I have to spend a significant amount of time teaching my students about academic integrity and how to avoid plagiarism.

This school year, teaching these skills became all the more important because my students learned to rely heavily on the internet while they were on distance learning. Because of this, I spent a big chunk of time at the beginning of the year teaching them things like how to cite sources, how to paraphrase, and how to understand programs like Turnitin, an online tool designed to detect plagiarism.

Still, I found myself facing an onslaught of papers that were copied from the internet, were from former students, or paraphrased websites. To address this issue, I emailed home, issued detentions, and changed classroom policies. But it seemed like the more I lectured about academic integrity, the more my students tuned me out. Despite these problems, I found that most students simply misunderstood how to cite sources and/or how to properly paraphrase something they had read.

A New Approach

It was then that I realized that I was simply fighting with students and parents, and I wasn’t addressing the problem, and I decided to change my approach by creating an online course about plagiarism. This course was designed to remind students of the ideas and concepts they learned about in class.

I enroll my students in the 45-minute course if they are caught with any academic integrity violations. I do not grade any classroom assignments until the assignments in this class are completed—a major incentive for the student to get the assignments done.

To get ideas for the course, it was important for me to have a frank and honest conversation with my students. I told them about my frustrations and how I needed their help in understanding why plagiarism was such an issue in my class.

After I set the tone for the conversation, I asked them questions designed to get to the bottom of what confused them most about academic honesty. One of my main goals was to see if they understood why plagiarism was such a big problem. I also wanted to find out what led them to make mistakes in this area. Were they just looking for a shortcut, or were they simply confused about how to properly cite sources?

Designing the Course

Based on the answers to these questions, I structured the course and tailored the assignments to fit the needs of my students. Assignments focused on defining academic integrity, how to avoid plagiarism, and the problems with paraphrasing websites. The course also covered how to rebuild trust with me and how to move forward.

The assignments can be adapted or modified to fit the needs of an individual student and class. The assignments I created asked for the following:

• Students will take Cornell notes on videos and articles that teach about specific academic integrity violations.
• Students will go to a popular paraphrasing website and put in a sample paragraph. Students are then instructed to compare and contrast the original paragraph with the paraphrased one. They are asked to examine things like grammar, spelling, content, and sentence structure.
• Students will turn in a piece of writing to the Turnitin website. Once their score is generated, students are then taught through pictures and videos how to interpret the website’s findings.
• Students will go to OWL Purdue and learn how to properly cite sources. Students then have to practice this skill using a set of resources given to them.
• Students will learn how to write a professional email and then practice writing one to their teacher asking the teacher for help on a particular subject or skill.
• Students will read a variety of well-known plagiarism cases and answer questions at the end of the article.
• Students will take a deep dive into the school’s academic integrity policies and answer questions at the end to check for understanding.
• Students will read and sign an academic pledge. Moving forward, this pledge will act as a sort of contract between the student and the teacher.

Results

While students don’t like having to do extra work, this course helps them to finally understand that there are genuine consequences to their actions. When the course first launched, I overheard one of my students remarking to his group of friends that because he had more work to complete, cheating “isn’t worth it anymore.”

Another benefit to going through the class is that excuses like “I didn’t know” or “I was too scared to ask” are no longer valid. Students are given the opportunity to relearn the material and clear up any misconceptions that they may have. They are also taught what to do if they are too intimidated to go up to the teacher and directly ask for help.

While I am constantly making improvements to my class, I have not had any academic integrity issues with any of the students who have gone through the course. In fact, I have had an influx of students coming up to me and directly asking for help. While they are primarily asking me for feedback on their writing, they are also asking me questions related to the plagiarism course.

I have learned through this process that most students have genuine misunderstandings about academic integrity, and this course is a perfect opportunity to address them. While consequences like a zero are sometimes necessary, I have learned that by giving students the benefit of the doubt, I am allowing them to be successful and hopefully avoid a bigger problem in the future.

Types of Plagiarism

While plagiarism is a problem often associated with school or college, these are not the only places where one can face the consequences of plagiarism. While consequences like a zero are sometimes necessary, I have learned that by giving students the benefit of the doubt, I am allowing them to be successful and hopefully avoid a bigger problem in the future.

Plagiarism allegations can cause a student to be suspended or expelled. Their academic record can reflect the ethics offense, possibly causing the student to be barred from entering college from high school or another college. Schools, colleges, and universities take plagiarism very seriously. Most educational institutions have academic integrity committees who police students. Many schools suspend students for their first violation. Students are usually expelled for further offences.

Resources:

https://www.quetext.com/blog/consequences-of-plagiarism
https://www.edutopia.org/article/innovative-way-deal-plagiarism/
https://guides.library.ucmo.edu/plagiarism
]

6 Tips on How to Write an Essay You Don’t Want to Write

Even the most competent writers go through the phase of writer s block occasionally in which they genuinely struggle to put words on paper.

6 Tips on How to Write an Essay You Don’t Want to Write

Remember the time when you had to write that one essay but simply did not want to? Most of us have gone through that initial period of frustration, thinking inside “I don’t want to write my essay.” These are six tips to get you going when you do not feel like it.

Also, in such cases, many students use online services, such as Bestessayservicesradar, which help to do this as efficiently and quickly as possible.”

To compose a good essay, you should enjoy the writing process and devote more energy to your work. Bear in mind that the journey matters more than your destination! One of the ways to do that is to develop interest in the topic of your essay. If you can connect with the topic on a personal level, you will find that your initial disinterest in writing the essay will start to diminish. By relating the theme to the experiences in your personal life, you will feel keener to write on that particular topic.

Even the most competent writers go through the phase of writer’s block occasionally in which they genuinely struggle to put words on paper. As a result, most of them lose interest in writing. However, do not fret if you are facing the same issue!

Give yourself some time to write about anything that comes to your mind. At this point, do not bother focusing on being productive and allow your writing to be completely random. The purpose of this freewriting is to get those creative juices flowing again in your body that would prompt you to write your essay.

You might have heard this piece of advice numerous times before from your schoolteacher. If you are having difficulty in devoting yourself to writing the essay, take some time to outline the content that you intend to put down in your writing piece. Creating a solid outline for your essay works to your advantage and makes the writing process a whole lot easier. Moreover, you might get excited about the writing itself after you have jotted down the outline. A solid outline encompasses all the important elements you wish to include in your essay.

4. Start Where Your Passion Lies
A useful tip to write an essay you are not interested in writing is to start working on the part of the essay that you feel most enthusiastic about. For example, you can start with the conclusion first if you already know how you would like to conclude your essay. Alternately, if there is a portion of the essay, which you think you will enjoy writing more, you can begin with that! Writing that particular portion first will get your motivation back. Once you get the momentum going, you can work on the other portions of the essay easily. Also, you can find some examples of essays on free sources like paperap.com to find more information and to compare them to your materials.

You do not have to complete your essay at one stretch. Take short breaks every now and then. This is important to reinvigorate yourself from time to time. There are several activities you can engage in to unwind and boost your energy such as taking a quick nap, chatting with your friend, watching your favorite TV program, getting some exercise done and so forth. Just ensure that you give yourself a deadline to return to your essay writing. When you return, you will feel recharged and ready to devote more energy to your work.

Distractions galore are a core reason why you might be struggling to commit yourself to the essay or any other task generally. Find yourself a quiet place where you can concentrate on writing on your essay. Refrain from surfing the internet aimlessly and ensure that the only time you access the internet is when you have to do research for your writing piece. Furthermore, put your phone in silent mode. The last thing you need is for it to ring incessantly when you are trying to focus on the essay.

It is also important to reward yourself and give yourself small incentives throughout the writing process. Make sure the incentive is personal and something you will actually enjoy. It has to be something that will keep you motivated to complete the essay. For instance, if you have a sweet tooth, you can give yourself a piece of cake after you have completed one section of the essay.

It happens often to most of us when we do not feel remotely interested in writing an article that we have to. The aforementioned strategies are just some of the many effective tips you can follow to motivate yourself to write an essay you do not feel like writing. The key is to get past that initial obstacle which is the proverbial wall between you and the essay that you have to write.

If you are having trouble getting an essay done, here are some helpful tips on how to get around writer s block or procrastination and get through that essay that you just can t seem to write. As a student, especially those who have had to complete multiple essays in their high school years and in grades before that, you have most likely heard a teacher or your parents tell you that you have to outline everything before you get to work on actually writing the essay.

Although this may seem counterintuitive, one great way to get through your essay is to simply show up and start writing. When we don’t feel like doing something, we’ll focus on that feeling and convince ourselves that whatever it is we don’t want to do is something that we can’t do. The truth is, you are more than capable of writing your essay. Do you want to? Absolutely not. Do you have to? Yes.

Resources:

https://writingcooperative.com/write-about-topics-you-dont-care-about-2945bca7217c

6 Tips on How to Write an Essay You Don’t Want to Write

Sponsored content: How to Get Through an Essay You Can’t Seem to Write

]

Editorial essay

When writing an editorial, keep it short and clear, so the reader stays with you throughout the piece.

Editorial essay

Another Tutorial by:
Alan Weintraut
Annandale High School
Annandale, VA 22312
[email protected]

An editorial is an article that presents the newspaper’s opinion on an issue. It reflects the majority vote of the editorial board, the governing body of the newspaper made up of editors and business managers. It is usually unsigned. Much in the same manner of a lawyer, editorial writers build on an argument and try to persuade readers to think the same way they do. Editorials are meant to influence public opinion, promote critical thinking, and sometimes cause people to take action on an issue. In essence, an editorial is an opinionated news story.

1. Introduction, body and conclusion like other news stories
2. An objective explanation of the issue, especially complex issues
3. A timely news angle
4. Opinions from the opposing viewpoint that refute directly the same issues the writer addresses
5. The opinions of the writer delivered in a professional manner. Good editorials engage issues, not personalities and refrain from name-calling or other petty tactics of persuasion.
6. Alternative solutions to the problem or issue being criticized. Anyone can gripe about a problem, but a good editorial should take a pro-active approach to making the situation better by using constructive criticism and giving solutions.
7. A solid and concise conclusion that powerfully summarizes the writer’s opinion. Give it some punch.

1. Explain or interpret: Editors often use these editorials to explain the way the newspaper covered a sensitive or controversial subject. School newspapers may explain new school rules or a particular student-body effort like a food drive.
2. Criticize: These editorials constructively criticize actions, decisions or situations while providing solutions to the problem identified. Immediate purpose is to get readers to see the problem, not the solution.
3. Persuade: Editorials of persuasion aim to immediately see the solution, not the problem. From the first paragraph, readers will be encouraged to take a specific, positive action. Political endorsements are good examples of editorials of persuasion.
4. Praise: These editorials commend people and organizations for something done well. They are not as common as the other three.

1. Pick a significant topic that has a current news angle and would interest readers.
2. Collect information and facts; include objective reporting; do research
3. State your opinion briefly in the fashion of a thesis statement
4. Explain the issue objectively as a reporter would and tell why this situation is important
5. Give opposing viewpoint first with its quotations and facts
6. Refute (reject) the other side and develop your case using facts, details, figures, quotations. Pick apart the other side’s logic.
7. Concede a point of the opposition � they must have some good points you can acknowledge that would make you look rational.
8. Repeat key phrases to reinforce an idea into the reader’s minds.
9. Give a realistic solution(s) to the problem that goes beyond common knowledge. Encourage critical thinking and pro-active reaction.
10. Wrap it up in a concluding punch that restates your opening remark (thesis statement).
11. Keep it to 500 words; make every work count; never use "I"

Include the five W’s and the H. (Members of Congress, in effort to reduce the budget, are looking to cut funding from public television. Hearings were held �)

As the writer you disagree with these viewpoints. Identify the people (specifically who oppose you. (Republicans feel that these cuts are necessary; other cable stations can pick them; only the rich watch public television.)

You can begin your article with transition. (Republicans believe public televison is a "sandbox for the rich." However, statistics show most people who watch public television make less than $40,000 per year.)

In defense of your position, give reasons from strong to strongest order. (Taking money away from public television is robbing children of their education �)

Give solutions to the problem or challenge the reader to be informed. (Congress should look to where real wastes exist � perhaps in defense and entitlements � to find ways to save money. Digging into public television’s pocket hurts us all.)

Pick a Topic That Will Grab The Reader’s Attention

With social media becoming more popular day by day where everyone can easily express their opinions, people aren t sure of how to write a strong editorial.

2. Criticize – such editorials while focusing on the problem rather than the solution criticize actions, decisions, or certain situations.

Resources:

https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/grammar-rules-and-tips/tips-on-writing-newspaper-editorial-format.html
https://www.geneseo.edu/~bennett/EdWrite.htm
https://www.5staressays.com/blog/general/how-to-write-an-editorial
]

Editorial essay

When writing an editorial, keep it short and clear, so the reader stays with you throughout the piece.

Editorial essay

Another Tutorial by:
Alan Weintraut
Annandale High School
Annandale, VA 22312
[email protected]

An editorial is an article that presents the newspaper’s opinion on an issue. It reflects the majority vote of the editorial board, the governing body of the newspaper made up of editors and business managers. It is usually unsigned. Much in the same manner of a lawyer, editorial writers build on an argument and try to persuade readers to think the same way they do. Editorials are meant to influence public opinion, promote critical thinking, and sometimes cause people to take action on an issue. In essence, an editorial is an opinionated news story.

1. Introduction, body and conclusion like other news stories
2. An objective explanation of the issue, especially complex issues
3. A timely news angle
4. Opinions from the opposing viewpoint that refute directly the same issues the writer addresses
5. The opinions of the writer delivered in a professional manner. Good editorials engage issues, not personalities and refrain from name-calling or other petty tactics of persuasion.
6. Alternative solutions to the problem or issue being criticized. Anyone can gripe about a problem, but a good editorial should take a pro-active approach to making the situation better by using constructive criticism and giving solutions.
7. A solid and concise conclusion that powerfully summarizes the writer’s opinion. Give it some punch.

1. Explain or interpret: Editors often use these editorials to explain the way the newspaper covered a sensitive or controversial subject. School newspapers may explain new school rules or a particular student-body effort like a food drive.
2. Criticize: These editorials constructively criticize actions, decisions or situations while providing solutions to the problem identified. Immediate purpose is to get readers to see the problem, not the solution.
3. Persuade: Editorials of persuasion aim to immediately see the solution, not the problem. From the first paragraph, readers will be encouraged to take a specific, positive action. Political endorsements are good examples of editorials of persuasion.
4. Praise: These editorials commend people and organizations for something done well. They are not as common as the other three.

1. Pick a significant topic that has a current news angle and would interest readers.
2. Collect information and facts; include objective reporting; do research
3. State your opinion briefly in the fashion of a thesis statement
4. Explain the issue objectively as a reporter would and tell why this situation is important
5. Give opposing viewpoint first with its quotations and facts
6. Refute (reject) the other side and develop your case using facts, details, figures, quotations. Pick apart the other side’s logic.
7. Concede a point of the opposition � they must have some good points you can acknowledge that would make you look rational.
8. Repeat key phrases to reinforce an idea into the reader’s minds.
9. Give a realistic solution(s) to the problem that goes beyond common knowledge. Encourage critical thinking and pro-active reaction.
10. Wrap it up in a concluding punch that restates your opening remark (thesis statement).
11. Keep it to 500 words; make every work count; never use "I"

Include the five W’s and the H. (Members of Congress, in effort to reduce the budget, are looking to cut funding from public television. Hearings were held �)

As the writer you disagree with these viewpoints. Identify the people (specifically who oppose you. (Republicans feel that these cuts are necessary; other cable stations can pick them; only the rich watch public television.)

You can begin your article with transition. (Republicans believe public televison is a "sandbox for the rich." However, statistics show most people who watch public television make less than $40,000 per year.)

In defense of your position, give reasons from strong to strongest order. (Taking money away from public television is robbing children of their education �)

Give solutions to the problem or challenge the reader to be informed. (Congress should look to where real wastes exist � perhaps in defense and entitlements � to find ways to save money. Digging into public television’s pocket hurts us all.)

Pick a Topic That Will Grab The Reader’s Attention

With social media becoming more popular day by day where everyone can easily express their opinions, people aren t sure of how to write a strong editorial.

2. Criticize – such editorials while focusing on the problem rather than the solution criticize actions, decisions, or certain situations.

Resources:

https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/grammar-rules-and-tips/tips-on-writing-newspaper-editorial-format.html
https://www.geneseo.edu/~bennett/EdWrite.htm
https://www.5staressays.com/blog/general/how-to-write-an-editorial
]