Clemson University Libraries

In 2004, Keith Cook, Chairman of the Orange County, NC school board, was forced to step down. A commencement speech he delivered at a local high school sounded familiar to a newspaper reporter attending the ceremony.

When the reporter investigated, he discovered that the speech was identical to one written by Donna Shalala, former U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services.

When challenged, Cook admitted he found the speech by searching the Internet for "commencement speeches." He failed to see what he had done wrong, however, implying that the speech's availability on the Web made it fair game for copying.

Like Keith Cook, you may find yourself in confusing situations where plagiarism is concerned?.

Do Internet sources need to be cited the same way as books?
How do you cite something from the Web if there's no indication who wrote it?
What if you rewrite someone else's ideas, putting them all into your own words -- do you still need to cite?

If you are in doubt, you run the risk of unintentionally plagiarizing.

Your Choices:

1. Plagiarize by failing to attribute borrowed material.

Your risks academically:

an "F" for the assignment

an "F" for the course

suspension

permanent dismissal from the university

See the Academic Integrity Policy for the procedures involved.

Your risks personally:

erosion of your self-regard

compromise of your values (Is this the kind of person you want to be?)

2. Find out how to document sources correctly.

Your risk: spending a little extra time learning to do it right

To choose this option:

See the sections of this tutorial (on the left hand side of this screen) called What To Cite & How to Cite.

Make an appointment with a Writing Center. Tutor, who can help you determine when to quote and when to paraphrase, and how to do both well. They can also help you with citation styles.

The Writing Center is in 305 Daniel. Call to make an appointment: 656-3280.

Writing Center hours:

Monday-Thursday 10:00 to 4:00

Friday 10:00 to noon

And don't hesitate to contact your professor or a librarian if you have questions!

Confused?

Your Choices: