Academic integrity — English definition

The shared scholarly commitment to credit ideas honestly and represent sources fairly — of which avoiding plagiarism is only one part.

Where it is taught

In use

The larger idea beneath the mechanics is academic integrity, and at this level it has to grow past the slogan 'don't plagiarize.

Documentation & Academic Integrity

Questions using academic integrity

Problem 1

Explain why 'academic integrity' is broader than simply 'not plagiarizing,' using the idea of representing sources fairly.
Answer and explanation

Plagiarism is only one way to misuse a source — taking its words or ideas without credit. Integrity also requires representing sources fairly once you do cite them: not cropping a quotation so it reverses the author's meaning, not lifting a statistic out of its qualifying context, and not presenting a tentative finding as settled. A properly cited source can still be misrepresented, so integrity is about being accurate to what sources actually said, not just crediting them.

Problem 2

Using an assigned reading or one exercise source, write a developed response applying documentation & academic integrity. Aim for 300–450 words; name the reading or reproduce the sentence you revise.
Answer and explanation

If Lee is not named in the sentence, use (Lee); if the prose already names Lee, do not repeat it without a locator. The entry uses Lee, the article title, the site title, date, and URL. Do not add a made-up page. A complete response supplies context, a focused claim, a brief supporting detail, explanation, and a relevant qualification. Do not simply repeat this model.

Use the criteria to compare your reasoning, not to copy the model’s wording. A supported alternative interpretation may earn full credit.

Response criteria

  • Make an accurate, focused claim or revision.
  • Use a relevant detail or a clearly explained language choice.
  • Explain the relationship and recognize a relevant limit.

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