“What is plagiarism?”- a short film produced
by the Learning Enhancement Team
A: Before Watching
In the film you will hear experts from the university answering the 6 questions in
the table below. Before you watch, think about what the answers might be.
Questions
1. What is plagiarism?
Your answers
2. Why is plagiarism wrong?
3. Why does plagiarism
happen?
4. What are the penalties?
5. How can I learn more
about plagiarism?
6. How can I avoid
plagiarism?
Watch each of the sections and find out if the experts agree with you.
B. While Watching
Complete the activities for each section as you watch (you may need to watch
more than once).
1. What is plagiarism?
Decide if these statements are true or false according to the experts:
True/False
1. It is acceptable to include unpublished
sources in essays without referencing them.
2. Plagiarism cannot happen accidentally.
3. When looking at students’ work, it is
common to see the exact words used without
quotation marks.
4. What is considered to be plagiarism differs
according to academic discipline.
2. Why is plagiarism wrong?
Tick the explanations that you hear in the film:
Tick () if you hear
1. You could be asked to leave the University.
2. It undermines the whole academic process.
3. Lecturers want to assess how their students conduct their
own research.
4. It is unethical.
5. You should have allowed more time to do your assignment.
3. Why does plagiarism happen?
The reasons can be described as “accidental “or “intentional”. Listen to the
explanations in the film, and write them under the two headings below:
Accidental Reasons
Intentional Reasons
4. What are the penalties?
Decide if the following statements are true or false, according to the experts in
the film:
True/False
1. Accidental plagiarism could lead to you receiving 0% for a
whole module.
2. Accidental plagiarism is treated as seriously as intentional
plagiarism.
3. In the most serious cases a student could be asked to leave
the University.
4. Plagiarism is something that the University treats very
seriously.
5. Where can I learn more about plagiarism?
Number the points made in the film as you hear them. The first one has been
done for you.
Number
By asking your school Plagiarism Officer.
By having tutorials with a Learning Enhancement Tutor.
By listening for information in induction sessions.
On the university website: https://portal.uea.ac.uk/student-supportservice/learning-enhancement/study-resources/plagiarism
By looking in your student handbook.
By reading the Learning Enhancement Team’s study guides
By visiting the Student Union Advice Centre.
By completing a study skills module as part of your course.
1
6. How can I avoid plagiarism?
Mastering the following skills are all mentioned in the film as essential for good
academic practice, and avoiding plagiarism:
• Referencing
• Note-taking
• Using quotations
• Paraphrasing
• Time
management
• Development of
original ideas
Match the skills to the quotes about them from the experts in the film:
What the experts say:
Skill:
“You can use that in your essay later on, marked as a
quote of course.”
“You need to change it sufficiently so that it’s your
words, your understanding.”
“To take from different sources and to build your own
argument – that’s something you can’t learn in a
week.”
“The best way to avoid plagiarism is to start early on a
piece, not to rush it, not to leave it to the last minute.”
For more information on how to avoid plagiarism, please visit
https://portal.uea.ac.uk/student-support-service/learning-enhancement/studyresources/plagiarism or contact the Learning Enhancement Team in the
Student Support Centre by email on [email protected] or by phone on
01603 592761.