Avoiding Plagiarism
Adapted from Academic Writing by Ilona Leki
The Original: A study by psychiatrists William Beardslee and John Mack has shown that American children become aware of nuclear war before age 12. Among older children, one half say this awareness affects their plans for marriage and the future. The Beardslee and Mack study, based on questionnaires given to hundreds of school-age children, shows that in the group examined a significant number were "deeply disturbed" about the nuclear threat, profoundly pessimistic, and often just plain scared. (Taken from an article by David P. Barash called "What to Tell Children About Nuclear War." The article appeared on p.85 of Science Digest in July 1986.)
Here are some correct and incorrect examples of using and documenting this original source. Which do you think are examples of plagiarism, which are correct and why? Which of these samples do you prefer? Write this source in MLA Works Cited format.
1. The Beardslee and Mack study, based on questionnaires given to hundreds of school-age children, shows that in the group examined, a significant number were " deeply disturbed" about the nuclear threat, profoundly pessimistic, and often just plain scared.
2. The Beardslee and Mack study, based on questionnaires given to hundreds of school-age children, shows that in the group examined, a significant number were "deeply disturbed" about the nuclear threat, profoundly pessimistic, and often just plain scared (Barash 85).
3. Hundreds of school-age children were given questionnaires. The results showed that a significant number were profoundly pessimistic and often just plain scared (Barash 85).
4. "Hundreds of school-age children were given questionnaires. The results showed that a significant number were profoundly pessimistic and often just plain scared" (Barash 85).
5. "The Beardslee and Mack study, based on questionnaires given to hundreds of school-age children, shows that in the group examined, a significant number were 'deeply disturbed' about the nuclear threat, profoundly pessimistic, and often just plain scared" (Barash 85).
6. According to research by Beardslee and Mack many young children in this country are quite frightened about the real possibility of a nuclear war. This fear has made many of these children pessimistic about the future (Barash 85).
7. As a result of their study of hundreds of children, researchers Beardslee and Mack have come to the conclusion that "in the group examined, a significant number were 'deeply disturbed' about the nuclear threat, profoundly pessimistic, and often just plain scared" (Barash 85).