Preventing and Handling Plagiarism in Writing Courses

As Highline CC writing instructors, we probably face plagiarism more frequently than instructors from other disciplines.  Our assignments are often not linked to specific disciplinary knowledge and are frequently more "open ended."  Please see the following links for our departmental approaches on these important issues...

If you have questions or concerns after reading the following information, please see the writing department coordinator(s).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creating Plagiarism-Proof Writing Assignments

No assignment is plagiarism-proof, but you can reduce the frequency of plagiarism with a good assignment.  Avoid giving clichéd or generic writing assignments because it is easy to find an example on the internet and students pass around essays about these topics:  "Write about a change in your life." "Write about a learning experience." "Write about gender roles in your culture." "For/Against Gun Control or Abortion." "Write a persuasive essay on an issue that interests you."

Use assignments that ask students to respond to readings from your class in a particular way.  Alter the readings and/or the approach to the assignment each quarter. Examples...

Summarize Smith's point about life changes and apply what he says to an experience in your own life.

After we write a group summary of Mike Rose's essay about education, you'll need to paraphrase one of his ideas and describe a personal experience that you faced that responds to his ideas.

Make sure that you work with students on how to use sources ethically and effectively with their own writing.  Because of lack of training or cultural differences, students may not know how to use sources in a way that avoids plagiarism.

Examine the difficulty of your assignments:  Are you asking students to do something that might be too difficult for your course level and/or not adequately preparing them for the task? Should you include more journaling, prewriting and drafting activities to prevent the confusion -->panic -->plagiarism connection?

See other tips_on_preventing plagiarism before it happens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finding Proof of Plagiarism

If you can't find proof, this does NOT mean you have to accept the paper.  See addressing specific cases..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Addressing Specific Cases of Plagiarism

First, try to distinguish between inadvertent plagiarism (where the student doesn't know how to use sources effectively and ethically) and deliberate plagiarism (where the student knowingly copies something into her essay and pretends it is her words, her ideas). 

If you do have proof (you found the plagiarized portions), you can tell the student what he did was plagiarism and handle it according to the section titled What you can do.

If you do not have proof of plagiarism, do not boldly accuse the student of plagiarism.  One education instructor relays the story of a student who came to her office weeping because an instructor had written on her paper, "These words are too big for you.  You've plagiarized."   The student hadn't plagiarized and the instructor's accusation was out of line, bordering on overt prejudice in this instance.

If you do not have proof, but you suspect plagiarism, here are some ideas:

Even if you do not have proof, you can refuse to accept a paper if you strongly suspect plagiarism...see what you can do.

 

 

 

 

 

What you can do

According to Highline's Policy on Plagiarism, you cannot tell the student you will fail her for the whole course because of plagiarizing one assignment. You can

We strongly advise that you write a letter to the student documenting the plagiarism and explaining the consequences.  This letter will impress the student with the serious and formal nature of plagiarism and create a paper trail in case the student disputes the case. 
     Sample letter 1 -- proof and rewrite request
     Sample letter 2 -- proof and zero for assignment
     Sample letter 3 -- no proof and rewrite request
You can just copy one of these samples, change the names and description.

You aren't required to CC Toni Castro, dean of students, the writing department coordinator,  or the division chair -- though there are several reasons why it is a good idea to CC these people:

  1. You create a clear paper trail, so that if the incident becomes more involved, the coordinator and division chair are already informed.
  2. Toni Castro is keeping track of the incidents of student cheating in order to analyze whether or not this is a problem at Highline.  If you don't CC her, you might send her an informal email letting her know what occurred, so she can get a clearer picture of the scope of this problem at HCC.
  3. Toni Castro places documentation about the student in the system -- If Toni gets several letters about a given student and someone wants to do something, the paper trail is there.

You don't need to have to have solid proof (finding a copy on the internet) in order to refuse to grade an assignment because of suspected plagiarism.   We advise you discuss the matter with the student and that you write a letter laying out the particulars of the assignment and the discrepancies in the student work.  In most cases, the student will admit to plagiarism or agree to submit another paper.

In rare cases, a student may vehemently deny plagiarizing and refuse to submit another paper or accept a 0.0 grade for the assignment -- at the same time, you are very sure it's plagiarized but you don't have proof.  According to the policy put out by Glen Avantaggio, faculty senator, there is a procedure available if the student denies that he has plagiarized and you don't have hard evidence (notice emphasis added below --other writing teachers will judge the paper with samples of the student's actual writing):

1. Complete an incident report form (available through VP for Student office or student development center, bldg. 6); include or attach evidence. In the case of plagiarism the strongest evidence is the plagiarized source.  Other evidence such as the opinions of experts (your colleagues) can also be sufficient.

2. Student Judicial Affairs administrator will review documents and schedule appt. to meet with faculty member and the accused student individually to fact find and gather evidence. Faculty member will be expected to provide convincing evidence that proves the student has plagiarized.

3. The sanctions imposed are decided upon by the SJA administrator/VP after consulting with faculty, student and reviewing facts and evidence presented.  Remember that students have rights including the right to procedural due process.  Students should be informed that they
have the right to appeal to the discipline committee if the student is not satisfied with the sanctions imposed through the formal hearing between
the student and SJA administrator.

4. If the student is placed on probation, suspension or expelled from the college, it will become part of student's record. In some cases, a decision
may be made that the record is sealed upon graduation if there are no further violations.

  See Highline's Policy on Plagiarism for full policy.