|
What
are “half-copy” plagiarism and “patchwriting”? You will understand best by looking at the
example on page 746 of The Bedford
Handbook. It shows: ·
The
original text written by an author (a historian) ·
The
student’s taking those words of the author’s and just moving them around
passively The two terms are both the same and
different: ·
Both
terms “half-copy” plagiarism and
“patchwriting” are the same in that work done in an example like the one
on 746 of The Bedford Handbook is
accurately labeled as half-way to
plagiarism ·
The
term “patchwriting” seems more to deal with intent—that the student thought
it was OK to do and the professor (or boss) would approve. What
are the 2 reasons that I make a big deal about this? I make a big deal about “half-copy”
plagiarism and “patchwriting” for two reasons that have consequences on your
future: 1.
Students
who practice “half-copy” plagiarism or “patchwriting” almost always misread
and have factual errors. These students create a fake product that any expert in the field will instantly
know is false—and your bosses and your upper level professors will be experts in their fields. Think
about it: ·
Why
keep practicing, as a freshman, a method that leads you to have factual
errors? ·
Why
keep practicing, as a freshman, a method that will guarantee that you will not
succeed in upper level courses (or on a job)? 2.
Professors
(and bosses) who see work that is “half-copy” plagiarism consider students
(or employees) as either cheating or lazy (and not worth a paycheck). Think
about it: ·
What
major professor would write a reference for a student who submitted
“half-copy” plagiarism? ·
What
job and what business would pay someone to move some words around? What
are the 2 experiences I have had that motivate me to make a big deal about
this? I also make a big deal about “half-copy”
plagiarism and “patchwriting” because of my experience with students I care
about: My
experience is that a few community
college students do this because their experience is that “half-copy”
plagiarism is: ·
Easy
for students to do ·
Time-consuming
for professors to prove My
experience is that most community
college students do this because of misunderstandings: ·
About
how “half-copy” plagiarism lowers the quality of their work to the point that
no one would pay for it. ·
About
what employers and professors will expect. The writing assignments in this course are mean to help you learn history and to offer you two opportunities: 1.
If we have a different understanding of the
required source, ·
You can prove the problem to yourself by
comparing your source and your writing. ·
If I am wrong, you can show me. 2.
If you
want, you can develop alternative methods for how you work. You can choose your habits so they match
your plans for your future. FYI: In this course, you do not have to be
fancy in your writing. You do have to be accurate. |
Copyright C. J. Bibus,
Ed.D. 2003-2020 |
WCJC Department: |
History – Dr. Bibus |
Contact Information: |
281.239.1577 or bibusc@wcjc.edu
|
Last Updated: |
2020 |
WCJC Home: |
[1] The quoted terms are explained on page 746 in the ninth edition of The Bedford Handbook by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers.