I feel compelled to post something. We all come to OS to exude our inner writing (blogging) ability to entertain, reflect, invite and illicit thoughts in words, visuals and interpretation. As a recently returned college student, plagiarism is a serious topic. Plagiarism can cause expulsion from a university and is in the writer's world; a crime.
Many of the bloggers/writers here on OS are amateurs. Those writers/bloggers are sometimes the most creative and brilliant examples of intuition and recourse. Instead of us attacking one another for mistakes, lets encourage one another to cite our sources and encourage one another to quote with praise, and give credit to those where credit is due.
A majority of the writers/bloggers here are OS are veterans in the writing world. We have astonishing work from writers who have given us a great canvas to improve on. We have English graduates, we have editors, we have published authors that we can all learn from.
Each day I blog a movie quote. That quote came from a writer, that quote was someones work of art. I use resources like the IMDB and and obtain my movie poster pictures from the IMP awards website. These quotes are not mine, nor do I have access to the original screenplays or scripts, but, I appreciate these writers, and the only way to give them the proper credit and exposure is to consistently on a daily basis share with the words through their language.
I was appalled by the negativity about plagiarism and the mis-use of it recently on OS. WE, writers, blogger, amateurs, etc, have to all work together to encourage proper citations and achieve a community where we encourage one another to continue to write and express valid and honest information while documenting our conceptual ideas.
Please, please please let us all encourage one another to grow, to learn and to appreciate the great works of those we are inspired by, and those we can continue to become mentors to.
I love being here, and I love sharing my vision with all of you, we are all human, and sometimes we make mistakes, lets teach one another that the mistake is valid, and that the true meaning of writing is allowing oneself to express, not necessarily to steal.
The IMDB (Internet Movie Database)
The IMP Awards (movie poster database)
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Comments
It's such a basic tenet of writing that people are taught from at least junior high school onward, that I'm a bit stunned that so many people around here are arguing that it's unimportant, doesn't apply to bloggers, etc. To me, that's like saying that I can go into my neighbor's house and take anything I want, as there's no such thing as private property. A writer's words are the writer's property. Period.
But we're living in a culture where many now believe all content should be free -- they download music and movies with no thought to how the artists or producers of entertainment make a living.
Once you're taking stuff for free, what's the big deal with taking words and not acknowledging that you didn't put them together yourself?
Before long, I'll be able to claim with impunity that I painted "Starry Night," directed "The Godfather" and wrote "To Kill a Mockingbird." Cool!!!
I saw the post that triggered this discussion, and my take on it (as a paid writer since college -- and even before, and a long-time tutor and grader, as well) was that the intention was not what it was taken to be by some who are in or are aiming for the top echelon of writing careers, at least in pay scale standards! (Industry and subject matter's always subjective, you know.)
I believe it was an opportunity for educating and instructing, and I also believe a kind gesture of informing would have taken care of it.
It's funny when someone's on the warpath for their favorite causes (all of us included) that we don't usually realize others may not only not be involved in that same cause, but they also may not even be able to identify with it...
Kindness when speaking truth always accomplishes so much more than other approaches. Let's celebrate this forum for being what it is -- open. And help and enjoy each other!
Readers will always recognize plagiarism. Only those jealous idiots will believe that silkstone directed the Godfather.
Excellent argument, rated.
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JULIE!!! You said this beautifully. Your comment is true interpretation of what I wanted to say. Thank you Thank you Thank you for reiterating my purpose.
Ablonde... we all know that everyone is entitled to their opinion, even writers make mistakes, I just wanted to make sure we all know that plagarism is serious, and here at OS, we need to inform and constructively help one another when we've made a mistake. Not strictly banish or call them out on their mis-step. Some people might not see the importance, and that is where we document their importance. I would never want my words copied without a resource or citing that pointed me out. Once we all see it like that, we will feel compelled to follow the rules. In the meantime, we must support one another by recognizing subtly that someone has faltered. If we don't we end up slamming them and their reputation and it can be devastating to those who didn't intentionally try to dismay the writer's society. I appreciate your comment. I do know the seriousness. Believe me... I am an APA and MLA pro!
FusunA.. thank you. I am reading your take now. Well done!
Lunchlady 2.. Thank you.
J Hart.. AMEN!!! Thanks,
I am so naive I still believe that we CAN encourage one another to grow. The alternative to believe this is too hideous for me to imagine.
Thanks for a well-tempered post!
~r!
Thanks for your post N. Jordan. Rated.
I appreciate your comment, please just remember, it is a serious topic, and we need to move forward with teaching the importance, not belittling the faltered choice.
Trust me, no one takes this more seriously than I do.
smalltownwriter... YES!!! I just saw your post. Thank you. We need people like you to continue to show us that we can all use a little refresher from now and again. Brilliantly said. I am going to your site now!!!