Chapter 22 — Exercises

Because the stakes are so high, these exercises drill the rules until they're automatic. Sample answers for closed items follow.

A. What Would You Do?

Scenario 1: Paraphrasing

You found a perfect explanation in a textbook. You reword it in your own sentences for your essay. You: - (a) Use it without citation — you changed the words, so it's "yours" now. - (b) Cite the source even though you paraphrased — the idea still belongs to the author. - (c) Copy it exactly without quotes. - (d) Assume rewording removes the need to cite.

Scenario 2: Working together

A hard problem set is due. A classmate suggests you solve it together. The syllabus is unclear on whether that's allowed. You: - (a) Work together — collaboration is normal. - (b) Ask the professor first: "Is this individual or can we collaborate?" - (c) Copy your classmate's answers. - (d) Assume it's fine and risk it.

Scenario 3: Reusing your own work

You wrote a great essay for a previous class that fits this assignment too. You: - (a) Submit it again — it's your own work. - (b) Don't reuse it without permission — self-plagiarism is a violation; ask the professor. - (c) Submit it with a few words changed. - (d) Assume reusing your own work is always fine.

Scenario 4: AI tools

You're tempted to have an AI write your essay. You: - (a) Submit AI-written text as your own. - (b) Check the course's AI policy first; if banned, write it yourself; if allowed, follow the disclosure rules and verify accuracy. - (c) Assume AI use is always allowed. - (d) Use AI and hope no one notices.

Scenario 5: The detection-tool meeting (new)

You're called to a meeting because a tool flagged uncited matches in your essay — but you genuinely didn't mean to cheat (you reproduced experts' words as you were taught). You: - (a) Panic and say nothing, or lie. - (b) Be honest, explain calmly, bring your drafts/sources, and contact your international-student office and writing center for support. - (c) Insist the rule is unfair and refuse to engage. - (d) Accept the worst outcome without seeking help.

Choose and justify each. Why is Scenario 1(b) the rule even though you reworded? In Scenario 5, why does honesty + getting help beat silence or defiance?

B. Decode This

  1. "You need to cite your sources."
  2. "Put it in your own words."
  3. "This is an individual assignment."
  4. "Plagiarism."
  5. "We have an honor code / academic integrity policy."
  6. (new) "This needs a citation." (margin comment)
  7. (new) "Acceptable collaboration on this assignment is limited to discussing concepts."

C. Translate Between Cultures

Task 1 — From reproduction to citation. You want to use a scholar's idea. Show the right way two ways: (1) as a direct quote (with quotation marks + citation), and (2) as a paraphrase (your words + citation). Invent a plausible source.

Task 2 — Ask the question. Write the exact one-sentence question you'd ask a professor to clarify whether collaboration is allowed on an assignment.

Task 3 — Sources as support, not substance (new). Take one idea and write a sentence that uses a (cited) source to support your own argument rather than to replace it ("As Smith (2020) shows, X — which strengthens my claim that Y"). Why does this both reduce plagiarism risk and earn a better grade (Chapter 21)?

D. Culture-Shock Journal

  1. The surprise. What surprised you most — that paraphrasing needs citation? self-plagiarism? the severity?
  2. Your background. How did using experts' words work in your previous education — respect, or theft? How does that explain the gap?
  3. Protection. As an international student, what's your plan to protect yourself (citation habits, checkers, asking)?
  4. The stakes (new). Knowing the consequences can include a failing grade, probation, or visa loss, how does that change how carefully you'll cite? Write your personal "never get caught out" rule.

E. Ask a Local

Ask a professor or academic advisor: - "What are the most common ways students accidentally plagiarize here?" - "What's the AI policy in this course/program?" - (new) "On this assignment, what counts as acceptable help vs. cheating?"

Record the answer.

F. Self-Assessment

Rate 1–5: 1. I cite every idea and phrase that isn't my own or common knowledge. 2. I know and use my required citation style. 3. I read the syllabus for collaboration and AI rules. 4. I never reuse my own old work without permission. 5. I ask the professor when integrity rules are unclear.

Note date and scores. (Appendix J collects the book's self-assessments.)

Sample Answers & Discussion

A: 1 → (b) — paraphrasing still requires citing the idea; rewording doesn't make it yours (a/d are the most common accidental plagiarism). 2 → (b) — ask first; assuming (a/d) or copying (c) risks a violation. 3 → (b) — self-plagiarism is real; get permission. 4 → (b) — check the course AI policy; never submit AI work as your own where banned. 5 → (b) — honesty, calm explanation, your drafts, and support from your international-student office/writing center give you the best outcome; silence/lies/defiance hurt you. Why 1b is the rule: the idea belongs to the author regardless of wording, so it must be credited; changing words without citing is still plagiarism.

B — Decode This: 1 = give credit via references for others' ideas/words. 2 = paraphrase — but still cite the source. 3 = do your own work; no collaboration. 4 = presenting others' words/ideas/work as your own (broadly defined). 5 = the formal rules of honest scholarship you're bound by. 6 = the professor is telling you this borrowed idea/phrase must be credited — add the citation. 7 = you may discuss ideas but not share/compare answers on this task.

C — Task 1 model: (1) Smith (2020) writes, "knowledge is collectively built" (p. 12). (2) Smith (2020) argues that knowledge is constructed collectively rather than by lone individuals. Task 2 model: "Is this assignment individual work only, or are we allowed to collaborate?" Task 3: using sources as support makes the argument yours (cited), which is both honest (no plagiarism) and exactly the "construct your own argument" the West rewards (Chapter 21).

D, E, F are personal — your honest reflection is the answer.