Plagiarism is bad, plagiarizing your teacher is stupid

Regulars to my page likely know that I teach a few night classes here and there at a local community college. I enjoy teaching these Criminal Justice classes. But every so often I want to pull my hair out, like when I catch someone in the act of plagiarism.

The semester is coming to an end. About a week ago research papers in my one class were due. I tell students they will not get their papers back till finals week, so

that I have time to actually grade the papers. Each night this week I read a few papers and thus far have been happy with the work. Then I get to one paper, a paper written by a student I will call “Bob”.

Bob’s paper starts off rather lack luster. For a college freshmen it is ok. Then it suddenly changes in tone. It went from very bland to being very detailed and rich with information.

Then a realization hits me. I know what the next sentence will say. I also know what the sentence after that and even the next paragraph will say. Wait a second, I have read this before. No… actually, I wrote this!

Under my real name I have written for Law Officer magazine, Law & Order Magazine and for PoliceOne.com. This kid’s paper is pure plagiarism, he stole an article I authored.

I email Bob and ask him to come to class early to talk to me. When he shows up we sit down and I ask him about his paper.

Me: Did you write this or do you want to tall me about a plagiarism issue?

Bob: I did not plagiarize anything.

Me: This is your one chance to be honest, because I think you did plagiarize.

Bob: You are entitled to your opinion.

Me: True but I have a few facts that will back me up.

Bob: What ever…

I then pull out an actual copy of the magazine and show it to him.

Me: Care to change your story?

He pushes the magazine away does not even look at it.

Bob: Why that don’t prove nothing.

He then stands up

Bob: You wanted me in early just to hassle me about this… I need to eat before class. I am leaving, I’ll be back for class.

Me: Bob is that your final answer?

Bob: This some kind of game? Why you hassling me?

Me: OK… before you go…do you know my name?

Bob: yeah… you are Mr. RJ

Me: Bob take a second to look at who the author of the magazine article is.

Bob: Shit… you wrote this Mr. RJ

Me: Yes, Yes I did.

Bob: So what does this mean now?

Me: You cheated, you lied, you continued to lie when presented the fact, so looks like you get an F on this paper.