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Post by Hercules & Phil on Jan 20, 2010 14:47:47 GMT -5
Plagiarism and You: A Roleplayers Guide to Plagiarism 1.1 What is Plagiarism? 1.1 Examples of Plagiarism 1.3 Plagiarism and the Internet 2.1 How to avoid plagiarism
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Post by Hercules & Phil on Jan 20, 2010 14:48:12 GMT -5
What is Plagiarism?You've heard the term over and over and many people believe they do know what plagiarism is, but a surprising amount of people will still plagiarize and not even be aware that they are doing it. So what is plagiaism exactly? Plagiarism is when you take the words and ideas of someone else and display them as your own. Already I hope you can see how easy it is to plagiarize and how tempting it can be. Examples of PlagiarismPlagiarism can range from: - Copying an essay or assignment (whether it's off the Internet, out of a book, or even writing down what the person beside you is) and using it as your own without crediting (also known as citing or referencing) where you got it from. - Claiming an idea was yours when really it was someone else's (which is why people now patent their invetions). - Rewording what someone else wrote down. See example below. Plagiarism and the InternetThe world wide web is a vast and wonderful place for people to do research, including research on characters, but be warned[/u]. Though the Internet may seem like a free place to gather information, if you snatch anything from it and use the words from the page you got the information from, you are automatically plagiarizing. Wikipedia Wikipedia is probably the easiest place to do a quick spot of research to learn about a character, but even Wikipedia needs to cite (reference) its sources. Footnotes are used for this and are indicated by a small number next to a word, which will lead you to a marker with the same number at the bottom of the page that reveals the source where the information has been obtained. But like the rest of the Internet, if you simply copy or reword what you’ve read on wikipedia you are plagiarizing. And remember: not everything on wikipedia is correct anyway (anyone can write something down), which is why a lot of school teachers have forbidden it as a site from which their students can do research. It's generally best to treat wikipedia as a starting point and do more indepth research elsewhere.
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Post by Hercules & Phil on Jan 20, 2010 14:48:30 GMT -5
How to Avoid Plagiarism?The simplest explanation for this question is to simply not do it. While that may seem easier said than done considering the multiple ways one can plagiarize, it really is quite simple and below are a few tips that can help you avoid this. Do not copy and paste any information found on a website. Copying any written work is plagiarism in the strictest form and a definite way to condemn yourself. Even if you cite (reference) your sources, on this site, that will not be acceptable. Though you are technically no longer plagiarizing, you have not put in the required effort we ask you to include in your applications. More will be explained about this in the third tip. 2) Do not use Wikipedia when writing applications. All right, even I’ll admit that on occasion I have dipped into that wonderful and dangerous encyclopedia. It really is a good place to start looking for information. The point is to not simply take what’s there and leave it at that. If you’re doing research be sure to check out the sources listed at the bottom and visit other pages to write notes. 3) Avoid rewording and write your own application. We’ll assume you’ve seen the movie/television show/comic/etc. and enjoyed/are familiar with it if you are applying for a character. Therefore you should already have the basic background information you need for your application! There is no harm in using this information to create your own application based on these visual experiences, in fact we encourage it. If you feel that you absolutely must do research to brush up on or increase your knowledge on the character, then gather the information first and with what you’ve learned go off and then create the application on your own to avoid the traps that lead to plagiarism. A Final NoteWe ask for very little on this site. A few paragraphs here and there to explain the character’s background and personality, as well as a roleplay sample. Since you’re applying for a character you like, this should not be considered a chore and you should be proud of the fact that you know so much about the character and can prove it to the world. Penalizing people who cannot put the effort into their applications is not something that is enjoyed by any member of the staff, but is necessary to ensure that everyone has been treated fairly. Now that you all know a little more about plagiarism, I hope you’ll never have to encounter it on this site. And if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. You can pm any member of the staff and even discuss the issues among your fellow members (they might have the same question of you)! Happy Roleplaying and Have Fun! [/u]
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Post by ~Elisa Maza~ on Jan 20, 2010 22:51:28 GMT -5
Thanks a lot for doing this, Kris. I'm gonna ask everyone to post here with at least one of their characters, letting us know that you've read it, so we are all on the same page. Thanks!
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Post by marie on Jan 20, 2010 22:57:23 GMT -5
So I know Marie hasn't been accepted yet. My fault. I haven't finished her application yet. However, I have indeed read these.
PS: it's Eilo.
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Post by jessicarabbit on Jan 21, 2010 0:12:24 GMT -5
I've read it. Really well done. ^^
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Post by Disney on Jan 21, 2010 0:20:14 GMT -5
You're done a wonderful job, Kris. Nobody can claim not to know what plagiarism is after reading this! Great work!
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Post by Captain Jack Sparrow on Jan 21, 2010 1:45:17 GMT -5
Read and understood! Also I'm aware the Wiki part includes me for my Norrington WIP application that time and I have definitely learnt my lesson, thank you for making this note/rule more out there so others don't make the same mistake. Wiki really can be evil for luring people into copying and re-writing what's there ;D
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Post by Hercules & Phil on Jan 21, 2010 2:12:27 GMT -5
Wiki IS a temptress of the web for sure, Jack! But like I said- you can be wiki smart about things and will hopefully now find many reasons to avoid copying and pasting. I am aware that other sites DO allow wikipedia applications, but... not this one. And really... what's a few solid paragraphs?
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Post by Warren Peace on Jan 21, 2010 7:25:47 GMT -5
J'ai lu et je comprends!
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Post by Alice Liddell on Jan 21, 2010 8:40:59 GMT -5
This a good set of guidelines.
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Post by Macaria on Jan 21, 2010 16:26:07 GMT -5
All read! :3
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Post by ratcliffe on Jan 21, 2010 17:04:05 GMT -5
*Has read and now feels guilty*
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Post by ron on Jan 21, 2010 21:06:12 GMT -5
Yo entiendo!!!
XD
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Post by ~Elisa Maza~ on Feb 13, 2010 17:23:19 GMT -5
Still a lot of us who have not yet responded... I'm sure we've all read, but please, a quick reply stating that you have! Thanks!
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