I have no idea why all these messages are coming to my mailbox instead of going to listserv. In fact, that's exactly what I was trying to articulate, Theresa: I don't think using the term "plagiarism" for every occasion is going to help. I think it's important to understand what is happening in each particular case and why it is happening, and then work with it (or work to prevent it if necessary). I don't find general advice on "how to avoid plagiarism" helpful. Natasha -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: [Fwd: Re: Plagiarism discussed in the NCTE Newsletter] Date: Fri, 18 May 2007 13:49:49 -0400 From: Theresa Hyland <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] References: <[log in to unmask]> <[log in to unmask]> <[log in to unmask]> I agree, Natasha, that people who want to copy will do it for whatever reason. I also agree that the McDermid article was simplistic in its assumption that a change in marking rubric would solve the problem. I don't agree that "students who want to lean don't copy for the sake of copying". Imitation has always been considered to be one of the ways we learn. What I feel is important is that in our classes we open up a discourse around issues of copying, imitating, summarizing and critical commentary. I don't feel it is necessary to bemoan the one or two people who don't appear to have learned anything from that discussion. I also prefer to keep that discussion positive (i.e. talk about referencing practice) rather than negative (i.e. talk about plagiarism, theft, etc.) I'm not even sure that plagiarism is a term worth using in academia today! Theresa. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- To leave the list, send a SIGNOFF CASLL command to [log in to unmask] or, if you experience difficulties, write to Russ Hunt at [log in to unmask] For the list archives and information about the organization, its newsletter, and the annual conference, go to http://www.stu.ca/inkshed/ -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-