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Help. Is this considered cheating?

The Yeti

Member
😕

I have been asked to write a paper for one of my finals. The funny thing is that the subject of this new paper is exactly the same as a paper I had written last year. Is it cheating to use my own works? It just seems like a duplication of effort to write another paper on the exact same subject. Of course, I will be changing and adding a few things that I have leared along the way, but other than that, I will be using material previosly written by me.

Thank you in advance for the help.
 
I don't think they can do you for 'cheating' just like that, it has to be something specific like plagiarism, which it clearly isn't. That doesn't mean they have to give you a good mark though.
 
Originally posted by: The Yeti
😕

I have been asked to write a paper for one of my finals. The funny thing is that the subject of this new paper is exactly the same as a paper I had written last year. Is it cheating to use my own works? It just seems like a duplication of effort to write another paper on the exact same subject. Of course, I will be changing and adding a few things that I have leared along the way, but other than that, I will be using material previosly written by me.

Thank you in advance for the help.

As long as your dont qoute your self you should be fine. Dont turn in the same paper add a little new stuff. Some Colleges do not allow the reuse of the same work for more then one class. If you really want to reuse the whole paper word for word ask your professor first. Also note if you publish somthing then you must cite yourselft if you use it again.
 
I've reused bits from old papers before. I once used the same paper for two different classes. I did check with the profs first though.
 
Originally posted by: The Yeti
😕

I have been asked to write a paper for one of my finals. The funny thing is that the subject of this new paper is exactly the same as a paper I had written last year. Is it cheating to use my own works? It just seems like a duplication of effort to write another paper on the exact same subject. Of course, I will be changing and adding a few things that I have leared along the way, but other than that, I will be using material previosly written by me.

Thank you in advance for the help.

Technically it is plagiarism if you don't cite yourself properly; realistically, I doubt anyone will care.
 
Probably not the most ethical thing to do, considering you could choose to take a different angle in the new paper. You could ask the professor for a different subject and explain your circumstances. With that said, I wouldn't go as far as to call it cheating.
 
It's called self-plagiarism, and it definitely can be considered academic dishonesty. Here's an idea - ask the professor if he would allow it. Some will.
 
Are you in high school or college? The college I'm attending doesn't frown upon reusing your own works. In fact, my English professor last semester encouraged me to hang onto my papers for use "later down the road." So I would say as long as the paper is your work and your ideas, use them as you wish.
 
I was under the impression that plagairizing meant taking the works or ideas from another person. If it's his own work then why would it matter?
 
Originally posted by: RedArmy
I was under the impression that plagairizing meant taking the works or ideas from another person. If it's his own work then why would it matter?

Because its unfair that he has already written a paper on it if he does not cite it it gives the impression he came up it in the given amout of time.
 
Originally posted by: RedArmy
I was under the impression that plagairizing meant taking the works or ideas from another person. If it's his own work then why would it matter?

Because it is a seperate piece of work.
 
:thumbsup:

Thank You all for all of the great responses. I guess I'll just use and re arrange portions of my own paper. Should not be too hard. My last paper was 20 pages long, this one is only needs to be 10 pages and and double spaced. I'm thinking only a couple of hours worth of work, I hope. Thanks again all. Much appreciated.
 
I take little chunks out of other things I've written all the time and I've never had a problem with it, technically you should cite it if you take a large chunk but you'll probably be fine. If you're worried ask the professor.
 
oh...VeggieFrog said that if you did the work for the same Uni, they might have kept a copy on file, so it is best to ask if it is ok.
 
The school I'm attending right now expressly forbids doing that, grounds for failure at best. While I may use portions of my old papers, I do substantial editing on it.
 
It is considered self-plagarism at most places. Professors frown upon it severely, but not as severely is plagarism of someone elses work(which can get you kicked out of school).

Even if it isnt expressly forbidden it is likley forbidden in the catch all academic dishonesty clause in your schools rules and regulations for students.
 
Its not plagiarism, but your school may have rules about 'double-submission'. If this is the case, it's a perfectly legitimate policy, especially considering that the topic of a paper is the least important part, at the hgh school or undergraduate level. Your assignment is to write a paper FOR THAT CLASS.

If the prof is fine with you submitting work you did for another class, that's alright, but you'd better make sure first.

You should also consider that you are probably a much better writer than you were a year ago, assuming you've done two or three major papers in that time. Your previously written paper may not be up to your own standards.
 
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