Chapter 9 - Plagiarism, writing, and speaking

This chapter in 6 words: What to say and not say.

The first thing covered in the chapter is writing. While I'm not the strongest writer in the world, I'd say that one of my biggest strengths is keeping my writing structured and easy to read. If you have an easily understandable thesis, then an easily understandable essay with divisions of proof and evidence will soon follow. The only issue I have is explaining quotations and facts from outside sources. While past teachers have told me that even a couple sentences can't sufficiently explain outside information, I have difficulty getting past just one sentence. I'll try seeing how else I can explain facts and relate them to my paper the next time I have a writing assignment.

I am pretty freaking good at public speaking. Having been in a speech and debate club in high school, I've had experience in reciting, writing, editing, and perfecting speeches and acts. What's difficult for me to do is practice reciting speeches word for word, because I usually tend to paraphrase or speak on the fly about my subjects. Granted, I do many practice runs before each official speech, but I don't stick to a specfic script. Although, the book makes a point for me to remember to know the audience that I'm speaking to, so I can know what sort of language, formal or informal, to use.

The "what not to say" portion of this chapter covers plagiarism. While it's definitely not worthwhile to go ahead and copy, or even paraphrase, what another source says without proper citation, it's important to know that even those who don't mean to steal can plagiarize without knowing it. Make sure to explain and site the source of your information, or face legal consequences, possibly including jail time.

And that's no good.