Informative/Explanatory Essays: Attribution and Plagiarism

Imagine reading a high school student’s research paper on the American Revolution. The words flow beautifully, the syntax is flawless, and the historical analysis is breathtaking. Yet, you quickly realize the student hasn't written a brilliant essay; they have simply copied a chapter from a Pulitzer-winning historian. The integrity of education relies on a clear, unassailable boundary between what a learner creates and what a learner borrows. When you write an essay, whether for a college seminar or your own teacher certification, you are participating in a scholarly conversation. You must clearly map the borders of your own intellect by acknowledging exactly who else is speaking.