Plagiarism

Plagiarism

What is the definition of Plagiarism?

To steal and pass off the ideas or words from another person’s work as your own without crediting the source.
To commit intellectual theft, which is presenting work as a new and original idea or product that comes from an existing source.

What does Plagiarism look like?

Cheating, copying the work of other person, or turning in another’s paper, project, assignment, etc., as your own.
Using another’s words or ideas without proper citation.
Rearranging or changing a few of the author’s/website’s words and presenting it as your own work and NOT:
- using quotation marks
- citing the source.
Having someone else write your paper, program, or project,
- by including asking friends or family
- paying someone
- using a paper writing service
- taking information word-for-word off the internet without proper citation.

How do I avoid Plagiarism? (Citing Works and Footnoting)

If you are unsure, ask your teacher for help.
Develop your own thoughts, ideas, interpretations, and conclusions.
Anytime you use someone else’s ideas, language, evidence, etc.,CITE IT. Either as an in-text/footnote citation and/or in your Works Cited page.

Helpful Links:

What are the consequences for Plagiarizing?

West Seattle High School Plagiarism Policy

D-245 Plagiarism Sanctions

(Aligned with SPS Practices and Procedures for District Offenses Within a Positive School Climate, approved 2014-15)

1st Offense :

Parent/guardian will be contacted and the policy reviewed with parent/guardian and student.
Completion of the original assignment (e.g. re-writes paper, makes-up test, re-does project, etc.)
The student must complete the assignment on his or her own time (in or out of class, or under supervision) based on teacher/administrator discretion.
At the discretion of the teacher students may be required to complete an alternative assignment of their own original work for the purpose of accurately assessing the student’s knowledge/skills.
The assignment will be marked “incomplete” until this step is complete.
Plagiarized assignments that are not completed may result in student receiving an incomplete and/or no credit in the course.

2nd Offense :

All sanctions for 1st offense apply plus the following:
Parent/guardian conference with student, teacher(s), counselor and other stakeholders to discuss causes/issues and determine interventions (e.g. attendance at MASH, tutoring, etc.).
Student must complete restorative sanctions, (e.g. research of university and/or other applicable policies, completion of restorative justice process, community service, written apologies, etc.) at the discretion of teacher, administrator, and/or restorative justice process.

3rd Offense :

Sanctions for 1st and 2nd offenses may apply at the discretion of teacher/administrator plus the following:
Student’s grade in the course becomes “incomplete” and parent/guardian conference with student is immediately scheduled to discuss student participation in the course.
Student participation in extra-curricular activities and athletic eligibility may be revoked at the discretion of the administration and/or restorative justice process.