Student Handbook - Sweet Briar College

from what the originator used to express them. The student may use
another person’s work only if due credit is given.
a. Credit is given for the words of another by enclosing them in
quotation marks or by indenting and single-spacing them.
b. Credit is given for the fact or idea of another or the paraphrase
or summary of another’s work, by the footnote or parenthetical
citation specifying the source. Acknowledgment must be made
even though the student expresses the ideas and facts in words
different from the source.
c. The exact source must be indicated. A quoted passage may
range from a single word to a phrase, sentence, paragraph, or
series of paragraphs.
d. Every quotation must be exact. If words or phrases within a
quotation are omitted for the sake of brevity, three dots (...)
should be used to indicate the omitted portion.
e. If such words as pronouns or proper names in a quotation are
not clear, an identifying or explanatory word may be inserted by
the student. This editorial material must be enclosed in square
([]) brackets.
1. An example of the dishonest use of material follows: The following
is quoted in its entirety from Writing Research Papers; A Complete
Guide by James Lester: Original Material: Wuthering Heights is the
most remarkable novel in English. It is perfect, and perfect in the
rarest way: it is the complete bodying forth of an intensely individual
apprehension of the nature of man and life. That is to say, the
content is strange enough, indeed baffling enough, while the artistic
expression of it is flawless.
Student version that constitutes plagiarism: The most remarkable
novel in English is Wuthering Heights. It brings forth an individual
apprehension of the nature of man and life; therefore it is perfect in
the rarest way. The artistic expression is flawless, but the content is
strange, indeed baffling.
This piece of writing is plagiarism in it most deplorable form. The
student simply reversed the order of each sentence, retaining the
essential phrasing. It provides no documentation whatever, which
implies to the reader that these sentences are entirely his original
creation.
2. It is imperative that any student who remains unclear about the
proper procedure for borrowing and accrediting material seek the
advice of a professor or a member of the Judicial Committee.
3. Individual departments will distribute additional written information
about potential honor violations. Please refer to the College Catalog
and/or the College website for further information.
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