Global Legal Skills Conference V
February 25, 2010
Juli Campagna and Lurene Contento
The John Marshall Law School, Chicago
[email protected]; [email protected]
It helps students avoid “over quotation.”
 It helps students gain a deeper understanding of the
source material.
 It demonstrates the student’s skill in reading and
understanding source material.
 It allows students to convey sophisticated ideas in
simple terms.

Improper paraphrase is a main source of
unintentional plagiarism.
 “Proper” paraphrase is not well defined.
 Preferences vary, between professors and across
disciplines.
 Available resources are often inadequate.

Proper paraphrase is not well defined and
expectations vary.
 It’s easier and quicker to use direct quotes.
 Students fear misrepresenting the original passage.
 The original passage often contains complex ideas
and sophisticated language and syntax.






Proper paraphrase is not well defined and
expectations vary.
It’s easier and quicker to use direct quotes.
Students fear misrepresenting the original passage.
Original passage often contains complex ideas and
sophisticated language and syntax.
Language Skills




Proper paraphrase is not well defined and
expectations vary.
It’s easier and quicker to use direct quotes.
Students fear misrepresenting the original passage.
Original passage often contains complex ideas and
sophisticated language and syntax.
Language Skills
 Culture
 Education
 Law


Awareness is key to helping students avoid
plagiarism.

Students need to “rethink” ideas and put them
in their own voice.
Sarah:
I’m not feeling well, so I’m not going to join you
for dinner tonight.
Student :
Sarah said she’s too sick to go with us to the
restaurant.