Running Head: Plagiarism 1

“Why is Plagiarism Not in the Students Best Interest?”

Kimberly Chisom

Texas A&M University-Commerce

Robert Wolfe, Instructor

ETEC 424

February 5, 2020
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Abstract

I will never forget my English class my sophomore year in college! That was the first time I

had ever been accused of Plagiarism. My Professor was so upset with me, and likewise I was

upset with her because I had absolutely no idea why she would accuse me of such a thing, but

when she explained to me what was wrong with my paper I clearly understood.
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“Why is Plagiarism Not in the Students Best Interest?”

Plagiarism is fraud! Students may ask, how serious is Plagiarism? They may even

think that is not a big deal, but Plagiarism is basically a form of kidnapping, but instead of it

being a child, it is someone else’s work. “Plagiarize (and plagiarism) comes from the

Latin plagiarius “kidnapper” (Webster,1828). This is a serious way to look at Plagiarism

because just like kidnapping, a person could get into a lot of trouble from their educational

institution, and it could also cost a student a failing grade for the semester. Plagiarism can

even be taken to a higher context of civil actions.

“If a student cheats or plagiarizes, that student’s work is suspect for the duration — even

if the student learned his/her lesson and the suspicion is misplaced” (Talbert,2006). My motto

with trust has always been, I will trust you until you give me a reason not to. Losing trust from a

Professor is a major issue because from that point on there will always be questioning of whether

or not the assignment has been done properly or if the information was stolen, and it may not

even be regarding a paper it could be a quiz or anything, and the work will always be suspect,

and no one wants there character to be in question.

Lastly it is in the best interest of students not to plagiarize because it can influence you

mentally and physically. “I plagiarized and the guilt is crushing me” (Vartolomei,1997). There is

no worse feeling than guilt. It wakes up with you in the morning, and travels with you all day

and night until it is time to sleep again. Worry can eat a person alive, and it can cause a person to

not eat, or overeat which changes their physical appearance. So, in order to stay sane and have

peace, I would suggest that a student make it a habit of not cheating.

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Bibliography

Talbert, R. (2006). Four reasons why academic dishonesty is bad - Casting Out Nines - The
Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved 5 February 2020, from
https://www.chronicle.com/blognetwork/castingoutnines/2006/02/24/four-reasons-why-
academic-dishonesty-is-bad/
In-text: (Talbert, 2006)
Varotolmei, M. (1997). Retrieved 6 February 2020, from https://www.quora.com/I-plagiarized-and-
the-guilt-is-crushing-me-I-apologized-and-Ive-resolved-to-never-do-it-again-but-how-do-I-
deal-with-knowing-Im-a-bad-person
In-text: (Varotolmei, 1997)
Webster, M. (1828). Definition of PLAGIARISM. Retrieved 5 February 2020, from
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plagiarism
In-text: (Webster, 1828)
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Reference