Copyright, Plagiarism, Stealing…how do I avoid Information Theft?
A WebQuest for High School Students
Designed by
Joy Oldfield
.

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page
Introduction

The internet is a great resource that makes it easy for us to find and gather information quickly. Unfortunately, the internet also makes it easy for us to "copy and paste" other people's words and use them as our own.
Plagiarism is using the work of others as your own. The consequences of plagiarizing at Linn-MarHigh School are severe! By giving credit to the people whose work you are borrowing, you can avoid problems.
The internet provides us with tools likeCitation Machine to help us put our citations into the correct format!
We will look a three resources that will answer important questions about plagiarism and how to properly "cite" (give credit to) your sources. Then we will use Citation Machine to create a citation.
The Task

1. Use three resources to research the ethical, appropriate use of information.
2. Write a one paragraph definition essay about the word “plagiarism”
2. Use Citation Machine to properly cite one of the resources.
The Process

  1. First you will follow the links and learn about plagiarism, copyright and ethical use of information
  2. After you have gathered information, in your own words write a one paragraph definition for the word “plagiarism”
  3. Go to “Citation Machine” create and print a citation for one of the sources you have used in your essay.
Step one
Go to the following websites, read, watch and learn information about plagiarism.
Resource # 1.

Use your bookmark and follow the instructions to Iowa AEA online go to Ebsco Host. Select the database “MAS Ultra School Edition” REMEMBER TO CHECK FULL TEXT use the keyword “Plagiarism”Select and read one article.
Resource # 2.
Go to “teachertube” and watch a video, take some notes on the information and have some fun, it just might be a trip down memory lane!

Resource # 3.
Go to “The Purdue online writing lab” (OWL) click on the link “Is it plagiarism” read the page and take some notes

Step two

Writea short one paragraph definition essay about the word “plagiarism” (if you are inspired please feel free to write two paragraphs) type and print your essay, don’t forget to put your name and class section on the paper.
  • Read
  • Watch
  • Think
  • Write
  • Type
  • Print
A short 1or 2 paragraph definition essay about the word “plagiarism”
Step three

Go to Citation Machine
  • Read and follow the directions to create an “MLA” citation for one of the electronic resources you have used in this assignment. Using Citation Machine create a citation for one of the web resources you used to gather information for your plagiarism definition essay.
  • Print out the citationand attach it to your definition essay.
Evaluation
You will receive an individual grade for this assignment. It will be a part of your total grade for the Symposium Writing project this quarter. This assignment is worth 30 points on your final grade for the symposium project.
Beginning
1 pt. / Developing
5 pts. / Accomplished
8 pts. / Exemplary
10 pts. / Score
Followed all three web links and referenced information in descriptive essay / Referenced one site or less in descriptive essay. Did not include adequate information. / Referenced two sites or less in descriptive essay. But included little information in the essay. / Referenced two or more sites and included adequate information in the essay. / Referenced three sites and included extensive analysis of information in the essay.
Completed/Wrote one written paragraph for descriptive essay / Wrote a sentence but not a complete paragraph. Did not adequately complete writing segment. / Wrote a couple of sentences but did not make adequate connections with the information. / Wrote a full paragraph and included adequate information in the writing segment. / Wrote 2 or more paragraphs and included complete information making connections with all information sources.
Created, completed and printed citation / Turned in a citation but included little information in citation / Turned in citation and included most of the information in the citation / Turned in accurate citation. / Turned in accurate citations for 2 or more sites.
Conclusion
Thank you for discovering and processing information about copyright, plagiarism and authentic academic work. It is important that you learn to hear your own voice and present written information that represents you and your research. Many more guides and information about this topic are available in the Media Center if you have any questions or concerns about your own authentic work or if you have questions about how to include information in your paper please stop by the Media Center and we will look your paper over together.
Credits & References
Access to AP Images, iClipart of Schools, Ebsco Host provided by
Iowa AEA Online, a service of Grant Wood AEA, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
OWL is the online writing lab a resource provided by PurdueUniversity, Lafayette, Indiana
Citation Machine is service of The Landmark Project.
Teacher Information
This project was designed to be included in the curriculum for the 9th grade, English 9, research unit at Linn-MarHigh School, Marion, Iowa. This is one of 5 lessons used to introduce the project and online resources to the students. The lesson could be extended to other classes and it will be linked to the MediaCenter website for student self study.
Last updated on August 15, 1999. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page