Plagiarism Information for Students

Plagiarize \-rized; -rizing [plagiary] : to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own : use (a created production) without crediting the source : to commit literary theft : present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source - - plagiarizer. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, 2009.

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Where can you get help at TCC ? Learning Commons, 2nd floor, Communications

A valuable service offered is conferencing - allows you to confer with tutors at any point during the writing process. . . One-on-one gives you the opportunity to discuss effective use of paraphrasing, summarizing, quoting and the guidelines for documenting source material, or discuss specific questions about an assignment, or a challenge you might be facing with a particular project. Online tutoring allows you to email your essay to a tutor and receive feedback within 24-48 hours. . . Conference slots are limited, available on a first-come, first-served basis, and may last up to 25 minutes. For more information, call (850)201-8269 or drop by LC260.

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FAQ's About Writing Research Papers from the TCC Writing Center
Question: My professor keeps talking about plagiarism. What does she mean? Can you get kicked out of school for plagiarism?
Answer:  Your professor is referring to situations in which students put information into their papers but fail to acknowledge the source of the information. It is like stealing the information. Sometimes plagiarism  occurs out of ignorance when students misunderstand the concept of paraphrase, thinking they do not have to cite the source if they transform the author's into their own words. On the other hand, sometimes students intentionally take material from sources and pass it off as their own. Some professors try to distinguish between these two situations; others don't. The TCC Student Handbook clearly defines the consequences for plagiarism, and, yes, it is possible to be dismissed from school for plagiarism.

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TCC Student Handbook

• Conduct Code, Article I, section Q. The term "plagiarism"  includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.
• Article IV, Proscribed Conduct. . . Section B: Conduct - - Rules and Regulations - - Any student found to have committed the following misconduct is subject to the disciplinary sanctions outlined in Article IV:1: Acts of dishonesty, including but not limited to the following:
  . . . . . . . a. Cheating, plagiarism , or other forms of academic dishonesty. . .

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TCC English Department
"To submit to an instructor a paper that is not truly the product of your own mind and skill is to commit plagiarism . Bluntly put, plagiarism is the act of stealing ideas and/or the words of another and presenting them as your own. It is a form of cheating and a kind of academic dishonesty which can incur severe penalties. Accurate and honest quotation and documentation is the mark of a good writer. Professional writers always give credit where credit is due."

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Publications from the Communications specialists at the TCC Learning Commons
The Learning Commons writing specialists have published several helpful guides to assist students in their writing.
Incorporating Source Material into Your Papers Smoothly and Effectively  explains and gives examples of both well crafted vs poorly worded attempts at quotations, paraphrasing, and summarizing.
Having trouble inserting quotes into your paper? The Tag Words  list assists students adding quotations into their text without sounding repetitive
Check the Learning Commons Communications website for a complete list of all their available services, including workshops, online tutoring, one-on-one conferences, credit and non-credit courses, CLAST preparation and more.

Citation guides and sample research papers following APA, MLA and Turabian guidelines are available.

revised February 2010