Setting: your home
You are sitting in front of your laptop and trying to work on an essay. A blank page states 'Essay' with nothing else written. You are very frustrated.
If you feel stuck, reach out for help.
If you're not sure about the assignment, you can ask your instructor for guidance.
If you need help finding research, you can ask at RDP Library.
Do not: make up information, look on the Internet for an essay on the same topic, or ask someone you know to see their paper. This puts you at risk of committing plagiarism.
Once you start writing, you will be surprised at what you are able to accomplish! It is your responsibility to take action and ask for help when you need it.
Writing Struggles (Part 2)
Setting: your home
You and Charlotte are working on your essays.
You say, "I'm having such a hard time with this essay! Do you mind if I just take a look at yours?"
Charlotte responds, "Yeah, of course. I'm going to the gym anyways."
Charlotte leaves the apartment.
You say, "This is hopeless. I might as well copy this essay, change a few things, and make it my own. I just want to get this assignment over with and submit it tonight!"
In this scenario, you did not make the right choice. By copying Charlotte's essay, you have committed plagiarism. Both you and Charlotte might:
Fail the assignment
Fail the course
Be suspended from RDP
Be expelled from RDP
And not be accepted at another college or university after being expelled from RDP
As a student, you are expected to be the sole author of any assignment that you submit (unless it is a group project). If you need help, you can ask your instructor, RDP Library, or a Writing Skills Tutor for ethical help.
