Plagiarism Exercise

Rutgers' definition of plagiarism is the use of another person's words, ideas, or results without giving that person appropriate credit. At Rutgers, plagiarism is a violation of academic integrity. Plagiarism is frowned upon, and is a form of cheating. Lethem, however, views plagiarism in a positive light. In fact, he thinks it a useful tool that can facilitate learning. He quoted Thomas Jefferson, saying, "'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me'" (Lethem 218). Lethem sees plagiarism as a way to learn and believes it does not take away from the person being plagiarized. In reality, plagiarism is cheating, and hurts the person plagiarizing as well as the person who is being plagiarized. Lethem sees plagiarism as collaboration and thinks it is a way for people to work together. Collaboration, however, is not taking another person's idea and using it as one's own. Collaboration is combining intelligences to help each other succeed. It is important to make the distinction between Rutgers' Academic Integrity Policy and Lethem's definition of plagiarism because Rutgers and Lethem look at plagiarism very different. If you plagiarize at Rutgers, you could put your entire academic career at risk, while Lethem would look at that same plagiarism and see it as something positive.