Issue
27(2)
Preventing
Plagiarism: Tips and Techniques.
(2007). Laura
Hennessey DeSena. Urbana,
IL: National Council of Teachers of
English. 117 pp., $29.95 (paperback).
ISBN # 978-0-8141-4593-7.
Review
by: Barbara J. Lamont,
Associate Director
Colleges’
Freshman Advising Center
University
of Texas
at San Antonio
In her book,
Preventing Plagiarism: Tips and Techniques , Laura Hennessey
DeSena unravels the mysteries of analytical, critical, creative,
and original thought. Seven succinct chapters, sandwiched between
chapter one “The Rewards of Original Thinking,” and the afterword
“Negative Space” assist teachers in finding their students’ voices.
The latter DeSena terms an “analogy,” but it reads like a mini
social commentary. As such, academic advisors who teach first-year
seminars and who conduct learning assistance workshops might consider
including DeSena’s book in their reference library.
Readers
should know at the onset that the title of DeSena’s book suggests
it is devoted solely to plagiarism. But this little book packs
a lot of vital information for instructors between its paperbound
covers and, while plagiarism dominates, other related topics are
also included. DeSena entreats instructors to encourage students
to think both as individuals and on a global scale, to relentlessly
ask questions and to fully engage in free- writing, to recognize
and embrace culturally diverse communication barriers and, most
importantly, to acknowledge that “writing is not merely a form
of communication but a vehicle for the transference of ideas from
writer to reader…it is a study of self.” (p. 1)
DeSena
builds her book chapter upon chapter meticulously guiding the
instructor in the technical elements of formal writing and selecting
legitimate research sources. Formal writing, DeSena contends,
is impossible to master unless students understand and practice
the art of freewriting which is, she stresses, “the concrete representation
of the mind at work.” (pp. 86) As for research sources, while
she generally argues strongly for using primary sources first,
DeSena acknowledges there may be instances where secondary sources
may be more appropriate. Throughout the book, DeSena offers tips
for improving thesis writing, honing research techniques, and
organizing writers’ portfolios.
Readers
might suggest that the seeds of plagiarism prevention may be sown
long before a child begins school. Unfortunately, the 21st century
boon of technological breakthroughs makes it difficult to curb
the incessant electronic and media onslaught children face and,
without proper nurturing and intervention, these seeds wither
and die. The consequence is that these students are robbed of
the opportunity to think; legitimate research escapes
them and effective formal writing eludes many. Stealing the words
of others, whether inadvertently or not, is so much easier for
them.
To
DeSena’s credit, however, she does not just deliver bad news;
she seeks to encourage change and provides practical avenues to
identify and deter plagiarism. It is not an easy task, nor an
enviable one, to uncover and verify instances of plagiarism. Some
would call it an art; others a curse because once discovered,
instructors are bound to confront the transgression. Or not!
Ultimately,
DeSena’s most impactful message is delivered to instructors who,
she claims, may be part of the plagiarism problem. Rather than
challenging students with clear, concise assignments that encourage
creative, critical, analytical, and original thinking, some instructors
may err in the opposite direction. DeSena attempts to turn that
perspective around, and her exceptional suggestions detailed with
specific examples will assist instructors who are looking for
innovative writing and research strategies in the classroom. For
example, the text includes several variations of assignments,
note-taking and outlining techniques, composition hints, and writing
samples.
If readers
want to curb plagiarism in the classroom, teach students how to
research and write well-synthesized papers that ultimately enrich
students’ worldviews, then reach for DeSena’s book.
