Plagiarism

Introduction

Plagiarism is the act of using someone else’s work, ideas, or expressions without proper acknowledgment, presenting them as one’s own original efforts. This practice is considered unethical and is strictly prohibited in academic, journalistic, and creative fields. Plagiarism can range from copying text verbatim to borrowing concepts without giving credit. It often leads to serious consequences such as legal action, academic penalties, and loss of credibility.

Pronunciation: /ˈpleɪdʒərɪzəm/

When Do Writers Use Plagiarism?

Writers use plagiarism, often unintentionally, when they fail to cite sources correctly, lack understanding about the rules of citation, or when under pressure to meet deadlines or performance expectations. In some instances, plagiarism arises from misunderstanding the nuances of copyright and intellectual property rights. However, intentional plagiarism is used by some as a dishonest shortcut. Understanding this helps in highlighting the importance of originality and proper attribution in writing.

How to Use the Plagiarism Literary Device

Strictly speaking, you should not use plagiarism as a literary device in your writing. The correct approach is to always strive for originality and authenticity. However, understanding plagiarism is crucial for:

1. Proper Attribution: Always cite the source of direct quotes, paraphrased ideas, or any content not originally your own.
2. Avoiding Legal and Ethical Issues: Knowing the boundaries of plagiarism helps you avoid legal repercussions and maintain your ethical standing.
3. Enhancing Credibility: Original work is more valued and trusted; avoiding plagiarism enhances your credibility as a writer or researcher.

By adhering to these principles, you ensure your work respects intellectual property rights and upholds academic and professional integrity.

Types of Plagiarism

Plagiarism takes various forms, each with its own degree of severity and ethical implications. Here are the main types:

1. Direct Plagiarism: This is the word-for-word transcription of a portion of someone else’s work, without attribution and quotation marks.
2. Self-Plagiarism: Reusing one’s own previously published work or mixing parts of previous works without permission or acknowledgment.
3. Mosaic Plagiarism (Patchwriting): This involves piecing together ideas and phrases from various sources and blending them without proper citations.
4. Accidental Plagiarism: Failure to cite sources correctly or paraphrase properly without intent to deceive.
5. Source-Based Plagiarism: Misrepresenting the content or context of your sources, or citing a non-existent source. Each type undermines the trust and integrity essential in academic and professional fields.

Plagiarism in Literature

Plagiarism in literature has led to several high-profile cases where authors faced legal and public backlash. Some notable instances include:

1. Alex Haley’s “Roots” – Accused of plagiarizing from Harold Courlander’s “The African.”
2. Stephen Ambrose – Several of his books were found to contain passages lifted from other historians’ works.
3. Kaavya Viswanathan’s “How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life” – This novel was pulled from shelves after numerous instances of plagiarism were discovered, involving works from Megan McCafferty and others.

Plagiarism in Children’s Books

Plagiarism in children’s books, though less commonly publicized, does occur. Notable cases include:

1. Helen Bannerman’s “The Story of Little Black Sambo” – This book has been accused of plagiarizing older tales, though its most significant controversies stem from allegations of racism.
2. Peggy Parish’s “Amelia Bedelia” series – There were discussions about whether Parish’s use of certain phrases and character scenarios was borrowed from earlier works, though direct plagiarism was never formally alleged.

Plagiarism in Poetry

Plagiarism in poetry can be particularly controversial, given the personal and expressive nature of the medium. Famous cases include:

1. George R.R. Martin’s “The Ice Dragon” – Although more commonly known for his prose, Martin faced accusations of taking themes and plot elements from earlier works by other fantasy authors.
2. T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land” – Eliot’s use of extensive quotations and references led some critics to discuss the boundaries between plagiarism and literary allusion, although Eliot is often defended for his transformative use of the texts.

These examples illustrate that plagiarism can manifest across various literary forms, impacting authors’ reputations and careers.

Plagiarism in Songs

Here are ten famous instances where artists were accused of plagiarism in their songs:

1. Led Zeppelin – “Stairway to Heaven” allegedly borrowed from Spirit’s “Taurus.”
2. Robin Thicke and Pharrell – “Blurred Lines” found to have copied Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up.”
3. Sam Smith – “Stay With Me” bore a striking resemblance to Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.”
4. The Beatles – “Come Together” faced accusations against Chuck Berry’s “You Can’t Catch Me.”
5. Coldplay – “Viva La Vida” accused by Joe Satriani of copying his song “If I Could Fly.”
6. Avril Lavigne – “Girlfriend” compared to The Rubinoos’ “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend.”
7. Vanilla Ice – “Ice Ice Baby” famously used the bassline from Queen and David Bowie’s “Under Pressure.”
8. Katy Perry – “Dark Horse” judged to have copied Flame’s Christian rap song “Joyful Noise.”
9. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk” faced several accusations, including one from The Gap Band for similarities to “Oops Upside Your Head.”
10. Ed Sheeran – “Shape of You” was claimed to have elements from TLC’s “No Scrubs.”

Plagiarism in Movies

Plagiarism in movies often involves disputes over originality of plot, characters, or even cinematic expression:

1. “The Matrix” – Allegations that its central ideas were lifted from Sophia Stewart’s “The Third Eye.”
2. “Avatar” – Several claims have been made against this movie for plagiarizing plots and visual elements, particularly from Poul Anderson’s “Call Me Joe.”
3. “Pirates of the Caribbean” – Faced a lawsuit claiming it was plagiarized from a similar script submitted to Disney years earlier.
4. “Frozen” – Was sued by someone claiming Disney copied her life story and elements from her book about winter magic.
5. “Coming to America” – Art Buchwald successfully sued the producers for plagiarizing his script idea.

Famous Movie Line Highlighting Plagiarism

“You have nothing if you don’t have your own story.”

This line is from the movie “Finding Forrester,” where the theme of originality in writing and the repercussions of plagiarism are central to the plot.

YouTube Link Demonstrating Plagiarism

Here’s a link to a scene from “Finding Forrester,” illustrating the theme of plagiarism: Watch the clip on YouTube

Plagiarism in Advertising

Examples of plagiarism in advertising can involve copying of marketing concepts, visuals, or slogans:

1. Apple’s “Think Different” campaign – Accused of being too similar to IBM’s earlier “Think” campaign.
2. Bud Light vs. Miller Lite – Bud Light faced allegations of copying Miller Lite’s advertising style and content.
3. Gucci’s “Forever Now” campaign – Faced criticism for resembling a series of fashion photographs by Diane Arbus.

Literary Devices Related to Plagiarism

While plagiarism itself is not a literary device, it intersects with several concepts used in literature:

1. Allusion: Reference to another work, which must be done judiciously to avoid slipping into plagiarism.
2. Pastiche: A work that imitates the style of another for critical purpose or homage, distinct from plagiarism as it acknowledges the source.
3. Parody: Mimics another work humorously or critically, protected under fair use, unlike direct plagiarism.

These devices show how closely related techniques can walk the fine line between homage and infringement.