after reading our assignment this week, i wondered if there really are any new ideas. even the example of correct way to write a new assignment looked like just another way to paraphase the work with the author cited. Is it really a new idea. why is this not plagarism?
Here’s the ORIGINAL text, from page 1 of Lizzie Borden: A Case Book of Family and Crime in the 1890s by Joyce Williams et al.:
The rise of industry, the growth of cities, and the expansion of the population were the three great developments of late nineteenth century American history. As new, larger, steam-powered factories became a feature of the American landscape in the East, they transformed farm hands into industrial laborers, and provided jobs for a rising tide of immigrants. With industry came urbanization the growth of large cities (like Fall River, Massachusetts, where the Bordens lived) which became the centers of production as well as of commerce and trade.
Fall River, where the Borden family lived, was typical of northeastern industrial cities of the nineteenth century. Steam-powered production had shifted labor from agriculture to manufacturing, and as immigrants arrived in the US, they found work in these new factories. As a result, populations grew, and large urban areas arose. Fall River was one of these manufacturing and commercial centers (Williams 1).
I understand the explanation of why they say this is ok, i do not know if i agree with it.. It is not an orgingall idea, just reworded.?
April 22, 2007 at 2:38 am
Hey Laura,
The whole concept of where rewording ends and plagarism begins is really tricky. I think it’s even more difficult when you are writing a historical article like the one you cited. Because if it’s something historical, well then, you have to state the facts, so there’s even less room for change, or “rewordingm” as opposed to when you are writing a creative piece where the sky’s the limit.
April 23, 2007 at 3:44 am
You make a good point in using a new assignment as an example of paraphrasing or is it plagiarism? I feel that when you are using someones ideas or words you must use quotation marks or reference links — having said that,I wonder what would happen if I handed in an assignment with 80% quotes?