Pondering the plagiarism plague 2

Neither academics nor the internet can be blamed so easily for student plagiarism. The internet may provide some students with a "quick fix" but it also assists tutors in locating and penalising those who take the risk.

Part of the problem is the serial offenders who play the system in the belief that tutors do not communicate such cases to each other.

Tutors could attempt to remove the temptation by offering alternatives to the "standard" essay question. It may require more effort, but at least honest students will not be penalised for their moral stance.

Lisa Harrison
University of the West of England