What is meant by “writing ethics?” In its most basic form it means, be true to yourself and make certain that your writing expresses your own thoughts, in your own words.
This idea – make it be your own – is critically important, especially in these days of instant access to information from all media. It is so easy to “pick up” and adapt others’ written words, and then represent them as your own creations. Writing is everywhere and access is immediate – simply do an Internet search. Today, in the comfort of your own home, you have complete access to almost everything that has ever been written. Think of the power! Think of the temptation! Think of the consequences!
Here is the issue. If you did not write the exact words, exactly as you represent that you wrote them, then they are not your words. They may be your thoughts, but that is wholly different. If you represent these written words as your own writing, then you are guilty of deception – to your reader, and even more importantly to yourself. If you “lift” written words or phrases exactly from what someone else has written, then you have committed what is known as plagiarism. You also may have violated a copyright, since the original author may have copyrighted his(her) work. Is this a felony? I doubt it. Can you go to jail or pay a fine if convicted of plagiarism? I don’t know – it depends. So then, what’s the problem?
This is the problem. If it is discovered that you plagiarized, you risk losing the most important attributes you possess – your credibility, your reputation, maybe even your honor. If those things are important to you, then you should think seriously about ever doing this – taking the works of others and representing them as your own.
• If you are a professional writer (you get paid to write) and it becomes known that you plagiarized, your writing career likely could be over.
• If you are a student and you succumb to the temptation of adapting words written by others as being yours – because you began that term paper the night before it was due, or “hey, these words say exactly what I want to say,” – then you run the risk of receiving a fail (F) grade. Professors and teachers actually are smarter than you think.
• If you write a letter to a close friend, or a report for your employer, and you use the exact words of others, without acknowledging or referencing the true author, then you run the risk of being discredited and shamed.
It is important because committing plagiarism, is misleading others and yourself, it is effectively “stealing” from the rightful owner (the true author), it is demeaning to your own esteem, and it is not ethical.
How can you represent the written words of others? The answers are simple.
• First, you can do as suggested above. If you quote a written passage verbatim, from another author, then reference that author and the original publication to extend the credit to him(her).***
• Second, you can rewrite the words, or the thoughts behind the original writing, in your own words. There are few original ideas or concepts in the world, but everybody writes about many of the same ideas. Authors avoid plagiarizing other authors by simply rewriting in their own words. You may convey the very same ideas as the original author intended, but if you say it in your own words and in your own manner, it is proper and acceptable. Isn’t that much easier… and won’t you sleep better at night knowing that you are a good citizen?
So, write with a clear conscience, and write with your best ability. Plus, if you use this writing software program as a grammar checker, punctuation checker and style enhancer tool your writing will shine. This software will not help you avoid plagiarism – your conscience must do that - but it will correct and enhance whatever you write, for any purpose. And it’s completely acceptable to use – even the best pros use it too.
***If something is copyrighted, and you intend to publish your writing (for profit or otherwise), which incorporates a portion of the copyrighted material, you may also need to contact the owner of the copyright to seek approval for your use. Remember everything has an owner. Even if the original author is dead, someone may own the rights to the “work product” of the author. However, copyrights (like patents) have an expiration period. It is always safer to conduct a “reasonable and proper” effort to secure written permission for the use of copyrighted material than to ignore the copyright.
