It's been a long time since my last post, and for that, I apologize. Sometimes work gets very busy. =) However, there is an issue that I am continuing to experience day in and day out through my editing/proofreading work with people across the globe: plagiarism.
As a writer, teacher, and editor/proofreader, I find the issue of plagiarism very difficult to swallow. On the one hand, what's that old saying, "Plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery" (Charles Caleb Colton)? Notice the citation and quotes?
On the other hand, as a writer, editor/proofreader, and a hardworking former student – it is still theft in one of the most personal ways. Someone somewhere researched the subject matter, or has in depth knowledge of something that the average person does not. To take that material – be it another's college essay, technical document, business correspondence, or any of the vast amounts of information that you find on the Internet - and call it your own, might be flattering to some, but you are stealing someone else's hard work – and it is very illegal.
Many people don't see plagiarism as a problem, convincing themselves it is "common knowledge" or "no one will ever find out." But with today's incredible advances in technology, you may not get caught the first time…but eventually, everyone gets caught. It's as easy as running text through any one of the hundreds of plagiarism detectors out there, and if your material has more than 4-5 words in the same order as another text, it sends up red flags of plagiarism!
I actually spoke with someone yesterday (who will remain nameless) that told me he never wrote his own paper throughout his entire college years. Nice. I'm not going to go into how he did it, but it made me a little angry. Not only did he steal the work of many hardworking writers, but what about the students like me who toiled desperately into the wee hours of the night studying, researching, writing – EARNING our degrees? Ugh!
I have worked for many clients that have tried to plagiarize - I really just don't understand plagiarism. Why someone can't take a few minutes and just put the information into his or her own words and credit the author is beyond me.
So before you steal someone else's writing to use, in whole or part, as your own when writing school papers, technical and business correspondence, job proposals, Internet content, or any other fiction/non-fiction materials, think twice and let me help you make it legal!!
For more information about plagiarism and the consequences you face if you commit this heinous and completely pointless crime, check out the following fun tutorial from the wonderful people at Rutgers University Library:
Until next time, have fun with your writing, but keep it legal! I can help!
Laura
