Plagiarism is an act of imitating the ideas, thoughts and language of another person without acknowledging them. Plagiarism is a serious offence in school that can lead to expulsion. This is because plagiarism is wrong. This paper discusses why plagiarism is wrong.
Firstly, based on moral grounds, plagiarism is an act of dishonesty. This is because the plagiarist appropriates another author`s work and deviously presents the work as his or her own original piece. A plagiarist makes potential employers to doubt their integrity and academic performance.
Secondly, plagiarism denies students a chance to learn. Normally, school assignments are meant to expand a student`s knowledge and understanding on a particular subject. However, plagiarism impedes this process because the plagiarist merely duplicates another person`s work. Plagiarism denies the plagiarist a chance to practise skill which may be essential in their careers in future.
Thirdly, most authors today copyright their work. Therefore, plagiarism may result into copyright infringement. Thereby, it exposes the plagiarist to potential law suits by the original authors. In addition, plagiarism denies the original author acknowledgement for their work.
Fourthly, plagiarism is injurious to the plagiarist reputation as well as any academic institution or publisher that allows it. Plagiarism shows disrespect to the plagiarist`s peers who did their original work. In certain professions such as journalism and scholarly publishing, it can destroy ones career.
Fifthly, plagiarism can turn into a habit even after graduation. Plagiarists who get away with acts of plagiarism are more likely to engage in plagiarism even after graduation exposing them to more serious consequences.
In conclusion, plagiarism is wrong due to several reasons. Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty, it can lead to legal action, it denies one a chance to learn, destroys one reputation and it can develop into a habit.
Reference
Eakin, P. J. (2004). The Ethics of Life Writing (Illustrated ed.). Newyork: Cornell University Press.
Follette, M. C. (2004). Stealing Into Print: Fraud, Plagarism, and Misconduct in Scientific Publishing (Illustrated ed.). California: University of California Press.
Lathrop, A., & Foss, K. (2005). Guiding Students from Cheating And Plagiarism to Honesty And Integrity: Strategies for Change (Illustrated ed.). Santa Barbara: Libraries Unlimited,.
