Plagiarism Issues

Plagiarism is simply using someone else's ideas, writing, music, etc., and taking credit for it as if it was your original work.

Because of our amazing digital resources, it is so easy to simply copy and paste text, download images and music, then quickly share it with a simple click. Instantly other people's work has become part of your own production and you have failed to give credit to the original authors. It happens every day in the news media, music and film industry, from political speeches to student research papers.

Here are a few examples:

In 2003 Jayson Blair, a young up-and-coming reporter for the New York Times rocked the publishing world when he was found to have repeatedly made up quotes and other sources. He even produced receipts that were falsified to back up his other plagiarized information. After several reprimands he resigned under pressure from The Times. Weeks later two of the top editors of the paper also stepped down as an effort to repair the damaged integrity of the company and regain the public trust. If you would like to learn more, read New York Times: Reporter routinely faked articles.

In 2015, well-established NBC news anchor, Brian Williams, received a suspension, then demotion and a pay cut concerning exaggerated information he reported. He described some events that could not be confirmed in his reporting during Hurricane Katrina and the resulting flood. He also publicly described an incident of supposedly coming under fire while in a helicopter in Iraq. Williams has since made public apologies through various media outlets. However, it almost ended his career and violated the public trust in him as well as the network. If you would like to learn more about Brian Williams, read Brian Williams' suspension is over.

There are many musicians today that have been involved in lawsuits for unauthorized use of digital tracks. In just recent years Coldplay, Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams, Sam Smith and Radiohead have made the news for this issue. Similar accusations date back to complaints of stealing between Queen and Vanilla Ice and even George Harrison of The Beatles and Chuck Berry.

There are many online sources teachers can use to scan your research paper for instances of plagiarism, which could lead to a failing grade. Learn to avoid this illegal use by refraining from copying, using good sources, collaborating with authors, or simply asking permission to use others' work. Learn to avoid this illegal use by refraining from copying, using good sources, collaborating with the author, or simply asking permission.

Learn to write it in your own words! Purdue Online Writing Lab - Paraphrase: Write it in Your Own Words will give you great information and examples of how to successfully use paraphrasing.