Discussion on Plagiarism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Discussion on Plagiarism - Essay Example Written works are property over which the original writer has every right of exercising his dominion. That being said, there are times when it is difficult to tell which words are proprietary to an author and which are not. There are many idioms, sayings, and common utterances that, because they are used often and in casual manner, it becomes nearly impossible to tell where the phrase or statement began. Sometimes a witty catchphrase just takes off so fast that its origins are obscured before they could be acknowledged. Sometimes, without intending to, we echo others’ thoughts because they had struck a chord with our own. In the case of Ben Domenech, however, there can be no appeal. Although he argued by way of excuse that he was only 17 at the time he admittedly appropriated another’s work, there can be no doubt that even at that age the idea of â€Å"copying† as â€Å"cheating† would have been well ingrained into his mind and conscience. After all, children in their first grade know that it is wrong to cheat, and that copying a classmate’s homework or answers in a test and passing it on as one’s own is cheating. Children 7 years of age know this is wrong, which is why they go to great lengths to conceal it; what more youths of 17? Domenech cannot hide behind his age, just one year short of adulthood; this is not, after all, a deep moral dilemma. It’s simply cheating. Concerning Rebecca’s comment, she is spot on in underscoring Domenech’s past as a writer for the school paper. As a school journalist, it is almost certain that he had been given some form of formal instruction before he was accepted into the writing staff. After all, the school would have been aware that writings in the official school organ reflected upon its reputation and integrity, and its writers therefore would be put in the precarious position of being the school’s mouthpiece. Domenech could therefore