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Analyzing Rhetoric in Plagiarism Discussions: A Critical Response

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Read the four essays in Chapter 11: “Plagiarism Lines Blur for Students in Digital Age” on page 369, “Bad Idea About Writing: Plagiarism Deserves to Be Punished” on page 373, “The Truth About Plagiarism” on page 377, and “Why Colleges Should Ditch Honor Codes” on page 380; then, choose one of the essays to respond to.
Remember that going forward, all responses will need to include proper MLA or APA citation.
After you’ve chosen the essay you want to respond to:
1. Explain all three elements of the Rhetorical Triangle as they apply to this essay:
a. Author – What does the author tell us about himself or herself in the essay? (ignore any information not in the essay itself) How is that relevant to the topic at hand? If the author doesn’t tell us about himself or herself, then how many sources does he or she use and how relevant and reliable are they?
b. Audience – Who is the author writing to? How do we know? (Note: “Everybody” or any other vague answer is not okay; be as specific as possible.)
c. Purpose – Why did the author write this? What did he or she hope to accomplish? Why? How do you know?
Two-paragraph Response
Write a response that is at least two paragraphs long (more than 250 words) and includes at least one paraphrase and one direct quotation. You do not have to any of the questions which follow the essay, but they may be helpful; just make sure that your response is clearly focused on a singular topic.
As you complete your response, be sure to consult the MLA and APA Citation Guidance resource page and your textbook. Use each style one time at least

📌 Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

This assignment requires you to choose one of the four essays and analyze it using the Rhetorical Triangle: Author, Audience, and Purpose. Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure you meet all the assignment requirements.

Step 1: Choose an Essay

Read the four essays carefully:
📌 “Plagiarism Lines Blur for Students in Digital Age” (p. 369)
📌 “Bad Idea About Writing: Plagiarism Deserves to Be Punished” (p. 373)
📌 “The Truth About Plagiarism” (p. 377)
📌 “Why Colleges Should Ditch Honor Codes” (p. 380)

Once you’ve chosen an essay that interests you, stick with it and focus your analysis on that essay alone.

Step 2: Break Down the Rhetorical Triangle

You need to analyze three key elements of the essay:

1. Author

✔️ Who wrote the essay?
✔️ What does the author tell us about themselves?
✔️ Does the author rely on sources? Are they credible?

📌 Example Response:
“In ‘Plagiarism Lines Blur for Students in Digital Age,’ the author presents various perspectives on plagiarism, citing multiple sources. The reliance on expert opinions strengthens the argument, making the discussion more credible and balanced.”

2. Audience

✔️ Who is the intended reader?
✔️ How can you tell?
✔️ What clues in the essay indicate the target audience?

📌 Example Response:
“The author is primarily addressing educators and academic institutions, as the essay discusses plagiarism policies and how students perceive academic dishonesty in the digital age.”

3. Purpose

✔️ Why did the author write this?
✔️ What is their goal?
✔️ How do they try to persuade or inform the audience?

📌 Example Response:
“The purpose of the essay is to challenge traditional ideas about plagiarism. The author argues that digital culture has reshaped how students perceive originality, suggesting that academic policies should adapt accordingly.”

Step 3: Structure Your Two-Paragraph Response

Your response should be at least 250 words and include:
✅ One direct quote from the essay
✅ One paraphrase from the essay
✅ Proper MLA or APA citation

Example Paragraph 1 (Analyzing the Rhetorical Triangle)

“In the essay ‘Plagiarism Lines Blur for Students in Digital Age,’ the author examines how digital culture has reshaped students’ understanding of originality and academic integrity. The author supports this argument with multiple sources, citing educators and researchers who have observed a shift in how students view ownership of ideas. The essay’s primary audience appears to be educators and policymakers, as it discusses potential changes in plagiarism policies within academic institutions. The purpose of the essay is to highlight the evolving nature of plagiarism, urging academic institutions to reconsider rigid policies that may no longer reflect modern realities. As the author notes, ‘students often do not see remixing content as stealing, but rather as a form of creative expression’ (Author’s Last Name, Year, p. X).”

Example Paragraph 2 (Providing Personal Insight)

“The essay raises an important point about the evolving definition of plagiarism in the digital age. Many students, accustomed to online collaboration, may not perceive copying and remixing as dishonest. As one study paraphrased in the essay suggests, ‘traditional academic rules may not align with students’ digital experiences’ (Author’s Last Name, Year, p. X). This perspective is crucial, as it challenges institutions to rethink academic integrity policies. While plagiarism should still be addressed, the approach must be educational rather than purely punitive. If students are not aware of the nuances of plagiarism, punishing them without proper guidance may not be the most effective solution.”

Step 4: Include Proper Citations

You must use both MLA and APA citation styles at least once in your responses.

📌 MLA Format Example:
Author’s Last Name, First Name. Essay Title. Book Title, edited by Editor’s Name, Publisher, Year, pages XX-XX.

📌 APA Format Example:
Author’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Essay title. In Editor’s First Initial. Last Name (Ed.), Book Title (pp. XX-XX). Publisher.

Final Checklist Before Submission ✅

✔️ Did you choose one essay and analyze it using the Rhetorical Triangle?
✔️ Is your response at least 250 words?
✔️ Did you include one direct quote and one paraphrase?
✔️ Did you use MLA and APA citations correctly?
✔️ Is your response well-structured and insightful?

By following this guide, you’ll create a well-developed, properly cited response that meets all academic requirements. 🎯

Would you like help refining your response further? 😊