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The First Peril: Fabrication
Written by Chip Scanlan
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"There is one sacred rule of journalism. The writer must not invent." -- John Hersey
Chip Scanlan points out in his article how easy it is to lift words and copy from another writer with the internet. Before, a writer had to copy another's copy word for word or verbatim. Now, all it takes is the copy and paste key on the computer.
Using examples like Stephen Glass, Mike Barnicle, and Patricia Smith, Scanlan produces examples of journalists who have chosen fabrication over their careers.
Scanlan lists some tips for avoiding plagiarism.
AVOID WHAT MARILYN RANDALL CALLS "NOTE-BOOK SYNDROME": Write your first draft without using notes. Make mental notes where you want quotes to go. Also use attributes.
GIVE CREDIT: Follow this rule from author Thomas Mallon, "If you think you should attribute it, then attribute it."
THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN USE A QUOTE FROM ANOTHER PUBLICATION ID IF YOU ATTRIBUTE IT: Always use attribution and get the interview yourself.
CONSIDER USING A TEXT BOX OR ONLINE LINKS: Using online links allows readers to pursue the subject further.
ALWAYS IDENTIFY THE SOURCES OF YOUR INFORMATION AS YOU ARE GATHERING IT: This is pretty self-explanatory.
IF YOU COPY SOMETHING VERBATIM, BE SURE TO PUT IT IN QUOTES: Make sure you also include the source whether you are paraphrasing or not.
NOTE YOUR SOURCES: book title, author, page number, address of a web page, etc.
MANAGE YOUR TIME WISELY: Plagiarism can take place under any circumstance, but often it occurs when a journalist is under a stressful deadline.
Mainly BE HONEST ABOUT WHERE YOU GOT YOUR INFORMATION.