Defining “Plagiarism”: A Common Definition
for Faculty & Students
In order to be useful, any definition of “plagiarism” must distinguish between
the deliberate misrepresentation of someone else’s words or ideas, and
the unintentional “misuse of sources,” which may result, not from
dishonesty, but from ignorance or misinformation.
The following definitions are intended to help
CSU, Chico establish a common understanding of these two writing problems:
What is “Plagiarism”?
Definition: “In an instructional
setting, plagiarism occurs when a writer deliberately uses someone else’s
language, ideas, or other original (not common-knowledge) material without
acknowledging its source. This definition applies to texts published in print
or on-line, to manuscripts, and to the work of other student writers.”
“Plagiarism” invites investigation and possible sanctions from the Office of
Student Judicial Affairs.
What is “Misuse of Sources”?
Definition: Misuse of sources occurs
when a writer “carelessly or inadequately cit[es] ideas and words borrowed from
another source. [. . .] Ethical writers make every effort to acknowledge sources
fully and appropriately in accordance with the contexts and genres of their
writing. A student who attempts (even if clumsily) to identify and credit his or
her source, but who misuses a specific citation format or incorrectly uses
quotation marks or other forms of identifying material taken from other sources,
has not plagiarized. Instead, such a student should be considered to have
failed to cite and document sources appropriately.” “Misuse of Sources” invites
teaching and learning about appropriate citation practices.
Adapted from:
Council of Writing Program
Administrators. "Defining and Avoiding Plagiarism:
The WPA Statement on Best
Practices."
WPA Position Statements and Resolutions
Jan. 2003. 12 Feb. 2004
<http://www.wpacouncil.org/positions/WPAplagiarism.pdf
>.
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