USMLE Forum Archives - The Match & Residency - About Personal Statement Plagiarism
About Personal Statement Plagiarism
haward - 06-10-10 12:16
HI Guys , I started to write my personal statment. and I would like to make sure the way I did it is not plagiarism. what I did is , took a look for samples over the net . then made the ideas from them in a paragragh manner like this , the first paragraph was a qoute , I prefered it to be the same ( is this plagiarism) , then the second one about the family ,I wrote it in different way and so on for the rest of the statment . I need to know what I did is plagiarism esp copying the qoute which I like it . please sincere advice .
many thanks
haward - 06-10-10 12:16
HI Guys , I started to write my personal statment. and I would like to make sure the way I did it is not plagiarism. what I did is , took a look for samples over the net . then made the ideas from them in a paragragh manner like this , the first paragraph was a qoute , I prefered it to be the same ( is this plagiarism) , then the second one about the family ,I wrote it in different way and so on for the rest of the statment . I need to know what I did is plagiarism esp copying the qoute which I like it . please sincere advice .
many thanks
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#1
Re: About Personal Statement Plagiarism adonis123 - 06-10-10 14:33 
posted by haward on 06-10-10 12:16
HI Guys , I started to write my personal statment. and I would like to make sure the way I did it is not plagiarism. what I did is , took a look for samples over the net . then made the ideas from them in a paragragh manner like this , the first paragraph was a qoute , I prefered it to be the same ( is this plagiarism) , then the second one about the family ,I wrote it in different way and so on for the rest of the statment . I need to know what I did is plagiarism esp copying the qoute which I like it . please sincere advice .
many thanks
HI Guys , I started to write my personal statment. and I would like to make sure the way I did it is not plagiarism. what I did is , took a look for samples over the net . then made the ideas from them in a paragragh manner like this , the first paragraph was a qoute , I prefered it to be the same ( is this plagiarism) , then the second one about the family ,I wrote it in different way and so on for the rest of the statment . I need to know what I did is plagiarism esp copying the qoute which I like it . please sincere advice .
many thanks
Best Tips for Using a Sample Admission Essay without Resorting to Plagiarism
Referring to a sample admission essay is a good way of starting your own admission essay. Most of us feel uncertain on how to begin or conclude an essay. That is why having a sample admission essay as a reference is a good way of starting your essay. You only have to avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism happens when you use the words of other people without clearly and properly acknowledging the source. As writing an admission essay is just like producing any other publication, the tips are pretty much the same.
Quote and tell
Paraphrasing is an excellent way of showing your critical ability and reading comprehension. It shows that you understand the text well enough to translate it into your own words. It gives a good impression to your admission evaluators and can earn you good admission points. However, you must acknowledge the sample admission essay upon which you base your statement. In cases where you cannot keep your paraphrase from being too close to the original statement, better use quotation marks. Never forget to indicate the source whether they are quoted directly or paraphrased ideas.
Quote it right
When you quote, make sure that the words within the quotation marks are accurate. Since the words fall within these punctuation marks, they are expected to be the exact words of your source. Never place a word out of order or add your own ideas. A slight alteration to the original statement from a sample essay is already a case of plagiarism.
Classify information
Plagiarism happens when you use any information that does not originate from you without citing its original source. However, general information or knowledge needs no citation. Information can be considered common if it is stated without citation in five credible sources. If there is any general information found in the sample admission essay that you are using, then you need not quote it. Just be sure to verify whether the information is general knowledge or not. If you are not sure, then better cite the essay as a source.
Do also refer to the link below about Plagiarism in Graduate Medical Education:
http://www.stfm.org/fmhub/fm2007/june/ariel436.pdf
Good Luck!
#2
Re: About Personal Statement Plagiarism
haward - 06-10-10 15:23 Thank you Adonis,
I appreciate your reply. I started mine with a qoute and mentioned the writer of the qoute in the begining , but I m concerned because the other sample started with the same begining , that is the qoute , although it is a quote written by the father of medicine and can be shared with anyone . that was my concern if this is also a plagrism .
#3
Re: About Personal Statement Plagiarism adonis123 - 06-10-10 15:55 posted by haward on 06-10-10 15:23
Thank you Adonis,
I appreciate your reply. I started mine with a qoute and mentioned the writer of the qoute in the begining , but I m concerned because the other sample started with the same begining , that is the qoute , although it is a quote written by the father of medicine and can be shared with anyone . that was my concern if this is also a plagrism .
Thank you Adonis,
I appreciate your reply. I started mine with a qoute and mentioned the writer of the qoute in the begining , but I m concerned because the other sample started with the same begining , that is the qoute , although it is a quote written by the father of medicine and can be shared with anyone . that was my concern if this is also a plagrism .
As u r quoting the exact sentence without any alteration and r also mentioning the name of the writer then it is not plagiarism.But, u shud do yur level best to develop yur personal statement in a way which only reflects yur own unique experience.Keeping this in mind, the part of the PS following the quote must not resemble anyother PS.
Good Luck!
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