WRITING SOURCES

Hello there! Wishing that all of you have a nice day.

Done with plagiarism issue last week, now we are focusing on the second chapter; writing sources. Hmm... What is the first thing that come to your mind when 'writing sources' is mentioned? I personally thinking about citation, references on our writing such as internet, journal, video and a lot others.

Basically, writing sources are materials that used as references or guidelines in our writing. However, it is strongly reminded that any writing sources used in our writing must be cited or paraphrase as it is pretty sure that none of us want to get involved with plagiarism.

There are several evaluation that should be done to make sure that the sources are reliable and credible. First thing first, you have to check the URL of the website. Some reliable website will have like '.gov' , '.org' , or '.edu'. These kind of URL are mostly reliable and try to avoid URL such as blogspot, web forum or '.com' websites.

Next, be sure that the date is relevant which the websites consist of current information. Too outdated information could make the information less reliable. Also, do some check on the author. Make sure the author is well known in the particular field or an expertise of the topic.


These are some of the major sources in writing:

1. Search engine

Convenient, varies and limitless. These three words are enough to describe why internet tend to be our main writing sources. You can use it anywhere at anytime. You are able to read research done by Professor from varies country and you can search any topics, news, images or video regarding your topics in just a second. Daylight or night. However, there are some reliability issues regarding internet used. Therefore, internet user need to check and ensure that their references were wrote by authorized writer and can be verified.

2. Journal

Compared to random internet sources, journal is more reliable and precise as it is check by expertise and authority before being published. Besides, more factual documents and information are keeps in journal from time to time. Not to be forgotten, journals are also available in search engine which make it easier to be accessed. Although a lot of information can be gain from journal, it used to discussed specific topics in deep and taking a longer time to published that sometimes current information are not being included.

3. Verbal Sources

Writing sources also could be from verbal sources such as video, interview, talk or television show. Its reliability is depends on the speaker. For certain verbal sources like interview and talk where we can exchanged questions, it becomes more precise as we can directly understand topics discussed and get the feedback. Even though it is verbal, just like the other resources, it still requires proper citation.

These are some of the major sources in our writing. It is significant for you to check the reliability level of the sources based on the writer, time published and the contents. Besides, never forget to put an acknowledgement to the writer, speaker or whoever it may concern for their ideas or works. That is the most important after all.

That's all for now. Thank you for your time! :)

References:

http://libguides.library.cqu.edu.au/evaluating-resources
http://writing.yalecollege.yale.edu/advice-students/using-sources

PLAGIARISM

Hello everyone!

So, here I am today to share my humble opinion with all of you about our first syllabus in ELC500 which is plagiarism.

I am quite sure numbers of student out there do get involved with plagiarism whether intentionally or unintentionally. The question is why students still do get involve in plagiarism when they actually aware that it is unethical? Is there any particular reason behind this mischief act?

Before we go any further, I would like to share the definition of plagiarism. According to Council of Writing Program Administrator,  “in an instructional setting, plagiarism occurs when a writer deliberately uses someone else’s language, ideas, or other original (not common-knowledge) material without acknowledg­ing its source.”

Besides, wiktionary.org defined plagiarism as the act of copying others ideas, text or any other creative work and presenting it as one’s own without permission or proper citation.

In simple words,
      

         PLAGIARISM = copy others works without permission or acknowledgement.

                         

Now, as we already go through the definition of plagiarism let us move to the possible factors of this concern issue.

1.Confusing between plagiarisms and paraphrasing.

Based on the research conduct, up to 60% of students failed to distinguish between plagiarisms and paraphrasing. In most cases where students encounter with unfamiliar vocabulary or technical term they will tend to copy it straight away without paraphrasing sentences or words used. Lacks of abilities to distinguish between plagiarism and paraphrasing or do a proper citation are found to be main factors of unintentional plagiarism.

                                        

2.Attitude of students

Some students are showing minimal effort in their study including when completing their assignments. Trying to complete their assignments last minutes makes them rushed and instead of do some research in the library or internet and analyzed data collected, they tend to choose the easier way which to plagiarized everything.  Besides, some intentionally did not place the citation on someone else work and claimed it is genuinely their ideas. 

                                       

                                        

3. Lack of research skills

Research skills include observation, collecting and analyzing data and also citation. Without good research skills, students will not be able to write a satisfied report, which will affect their marks. Thus, because of worries about their result they will choose a 'safer' way which is plagiarism. Some did not know how to do a proper citation with a right format. This cause their act to be called as plagiarism.
                                             

            

Those are some of the main factors in plagiarism. Now, lets view the effects of plagiarism on varies party.

1.  Failed or suspended from academic institutions.

Students have to face with failure in examination or being suspended from their academic institution because of plagiarism. Some need to repeat their semester and the worst is they might even be expelled from their collage or university. This is obviously the nightmare in every students. By geting involved in plagiarism, they actually jeopardizing their own future.

                                       

2. Being charged by authority

In serious cases, those get involved with plagiarism can be charged and facing legal proceeding. The punishments could be compound or prison sentences. An author has the right to sue a plagiarist. they can also be prosecuted with ethical issues.


                                  


3.Low productivity

Taking plagiarism as a habit makes one's productivity and quality of works reduced. People with plagiarism, create dependency towards others works and for a long term effects, their thinking and creativity will be decreased. This is a strong reason for plagiarism to be banned and strictly forbidden. Just take a second and imagine what kind of generation we will have if plagiarism become an attitude?

I can conclude here that some of the main factors of plagiarism are  confusing between plagiarisms and paraphrasing, attitude of students and lack of research skills. While the effects are failed or suspended from academic institutions, being charged by authority and low productivity.

As a student and a future educator, I am strongly disagree with plagiarism.