Chapter 11 Wrap Up Exercises

EXERCISE 11.4

Discuss your feelings about plagiarism with two or three of your classmates. Consider how you define plagiarism, what you believe causes it, whether there are degrees of dishonesty, and so on, but focus on the effects of plagiarism—on those who commit it and on those who are its victims. Then, write a paragraph that summarizes the key points of your discussion.

EXERCISE 11.5

Write an argumentative essay on the topic, “Where Should We Draw the Line with Plagiarism?” Begin by defining what you mean by plagiarism, and then narrow your discussion down to a particular group—for example, high school or college students, historians, scientists, or journalists. Cite the readings in this chapter, and be sure to document the sources you use and to include a works-cited page. (See Chapter 10 for information on documenting sources.)

image

EXERCISE 11.6

Review the four pillars of argument discussed in Chapter 1. Does your essay include all four elements of an effective argument? Add anything that is missing. Then, label the elements of your argument.

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: USING SOURCES RESPONSIBLY

Page 411

  1. Write an argument in which you take a position on who (or what) is to blame for plagiarism among college students. Is plagiarism always the student’s fault, or are other people (or other factors) at least partly to blame?

  2. Write an essay in which you argue that an honor code will (or will not) eliminate (or at least reduce) plagiarism and other kinds of academic dishonesty at your school.

  3. Reread the essays by Posner and Balibalos and Gopalakrishnan in this chapter. Then, write an argument in which you argue that only intentional plagiarism should be punished.

  4. Do you consider student plagiarism a victimless crime that is best left unpunished? If so, why? If not, how does it affect its victims—for example, the student who plagiarizes, the instructor, the other students in the class, and the school?

[Leave] [Close]