Contents

     Designing an Ethical Classroom Environment
Designing Assignments
Institutional Initiatives

Plagiarism Prevention: Designing an Ethical Classroom Environment

Ten Principles of Academic Integrity
[http://www.collegepubs.com/ref/10PrinAcaInteg.shtml]

Integrity: Academic and Political A Letter to My Students
[http://servercc.oakton.edu/~pboisver/NewFaculty/LetterTaylor.htm]

Plagiarism Prevention:  Designing Assignments

Assignment Policy

• Discuss the concept of plagiarism by asking students about "their" concept of plagiarism, why it is inappropriate, why a student might plagiarize, and what are the appropriate consequences for a plagiarist. (Colorado State University Writing Center)
• Explain plagiarism, both intended and unintended. (Citadel)
• Publish academic honesty policy in your syllabus. (Citadel)
• Refer to the UNC Charlotte Code of Student Academic Integrity. [http://www.legal.uncc.edu/policies/ps-105.html#APP]
• Encourage students who struggle with authorship issues to visit the Writing Resources Center [http://www.uncc.edu/writing/wrc.html].
  
  Assignment Type
   
• Avoid "formulaic assignments that may invite stock or plagiarized responses." (WPA)
• Design writing assignments around a course "theme." (WPA)
• Have students make an in-depth inquiry or investigation.
  
  Assignment Process
   
• Identify an audience and purpose for the assignment. (Price)
• Have students analyze, rather than recycle, information. (WPA)
• Require specific types of secondary research (two Internets, two articles, two books, etc.) (Harris)
• Have students keep a research log.
• Require recent and current citations (Harris)
• Break assignments into parts; have students turn in drafts, bibliographies, outlines, photocopies of sources, etc. (Hinchcliffe)
• Set up conference with students and ask them about specific aspects of the draft/paper, such as the following:
  • Tell me how you researched and wrote this paper. What process did you use?
  • Where did you look for your sources? Which libraries or databases did you consult?
  • Where did you find this articleâ?¦? â?¦Can you bring me a copy at the next meeting? (Colorado State University WC)

Assignment Reflection

• Have students personally reflect on the assignment, either in written or oral form. (Hinchcliffe)
• Examples of reflection questions are as follows:
  • What was the most difficult part of writing this paper?
  • What do you feel the strongest aspect of this paper is?
  • If you had more time, on what aspect of the paper would you continue to work?
  • How did this paper change from its first draft? (Colorado State University WC)
• Require an oral report on the paper (Harris)
• Have students write an in-class essay on their writing experience on the paper due date. (Harris)

Plagiarism Prevention: Institutional Initiatives

• Be involved in creating policy that reflects the Writing Program Administration's Statement on Best Practices. [http://wpacouncil.org/node/9] An example of such policy is the policy in Syracuse University's Resource Guide for Promoting Academic Honesty. [http://provost.syr.edu/provost/units/academicprograms/academicintegrity/]