The Effects of Plagiarism in College

Plagiarism in college is the use of someone else’s ideas, language or other original materials without crediting the source, according to the Council of Writing Program Administrators. Plagiarism is often deemed intentional when students purchase papers from content mills, submit work written by another individual or copy large blocks of text from sources without using quotations. Unintentional plagiarism occurs when a student does not cite the sources accurately or uses wording too close to the original document. The effects of plagiarism in college extend beyond the classroom and negatively affect the learning process of college students.

Encourages Cheating

Plagiarism negatively affects academic environments because it encourages cheating. Students who intentionally plagiarize are not learning or retaining materials necessary to succeed in academic programs and careers.

Interferes with Learning

Plagiarism, a form of cheating, distorts the learning process for college students. Institutions of higher education are designed to promote critical and original thinking. By copying works and passing off someone else’s work for her own, a student diminishes her ability to learn and grow academically.

Damages Credibility

Plagiarism downplays the credibility of a college or university. If students are not producing original ideas and works, the quality of education decreases and the college’s reputation is at risk.

Blocks Opportunities

Typically, the consequences of plagiarism in college include a failing grade, suspension or expulsion. A student who plagiarizes risks lowering his grade point average and ultimately limiting his educational opportunities in college.

Distorts Grading Curves

A student who successfully plagiarizes without detection or consequence will likely obtain a higher grade than she should have earned. Inflated grades affect the entire student population when projects are graded on a curve.

References

• WPA: Defining and Avoiding Plagiarism
• Purdue Owl: Plagiarism–Overview and Contradictions