Wow

Plagiarism

Plagiarism has become almost like a swear word in college; a taboo subject that teachers speak of with such horror-filled voices, that each and every soul will vow never to even think about plagiarizing.

Plagiarism is "the use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work". (from Wikipedia)

Unfortunately, most of the 9-and-counting students who were accused of plagiarism probably didn't know (i.e. were not aware, did not think of it as such, did not intentionally do it) that what they did was so wrong that their diplomas could be stripped way in the snap of a finger.

It could be due to forgetting to cite a reference, or saying something on top of your head that you've read somewhere but forgotten where or thought it was your own idea, or incorrect format of citation, or forgetting to quote with " " , or whatever.

Scary, hmm?