Possibly, if you ask them to write closely from texts and you
don't have a good memory of the texts' wording. Whenever they
report on research they also may be plagiarizing. Naturally,
you cannot know everything that is out there.
For many reasons, including their lack of understanding about
what plagiarism is. A very important temptation to
plagiarize comes from students' insecurity about their own
writing. Or disorganization may put them in a sudden time
crunch.
Unclear and too simple assignment directions sometimes
encourage students to think of plagiarizing. Homework
assignments that ask students to write directly about what a
text says can also tempt students to copy instead of restate the
material in their own words.
Yes, though plagiarizing an entire paper is less common than
lifting paragraphs word for word from book or Internet
sources. "Cutting and pasting" single clauses and sentences
into the students' own writing is even more common. Less
common, but still popular among some students, is the practice
of buying ready-made term papers on various subjects from
so-called "paper mills" on the Internet. A paper can be
purchased easily for $50. There are even papers on ethics for
sale on the Internet.
The more custom-tailored the assignment is with specific
directions to follow the harder it is for students to plagiarize
on completing it. Also, see the section on this plagiarism
website called: How to stop/catch plagiarism.
There are various techniques to use. Keeping an eye out for
sudden changes of writing style inside papers can help tip off
plagiarized passages. Wording or phraseology that seems beyond
a student's intellectual ability is a tip-off. Sometimes
plugging an unusual-sounding phrase from a paper into an
Internet search turns up its source. Also, see the
section on this plagiarism website called: How to stop/catch
plagiarism.
Follow Grossmont's policies. For questions on the
policies, contact
Agustin Albarran,
Assistant Dean of Student Affairs.
