What is Incremental Plagiarism?

Incremental plagiarism involves using someone else's ideas, writing style, or material without credit. This type of plagiarism involves gradually adopting original material rather than duplicating portions verbatim.

The free interchange of ideas and academic integrity are compromised by this practice.

We shall discuss incremental plagiarism, its effects, and how to avoid it in this piece of writing.

What is Incremental Plagiarism?

Incremental plagiarism occurs when someone uses portions of another's work (such as sentences, phrases, or paragraphs) across different parts of their own work without proper attribution.

This type of plagiarism involves the accumulation of small pieces of uncredited material which, over time or across various sections of a single document, contribute significantly to the plagiarist’s content.

Unlike complete plagiarism, which involves copying an entire work, incremental plagiarism is often less obvious because it intersperses original writing with plagiarised segments, making it harder to detect.

This piecemeal approach undermines academic integrity, misleading readers and educators about the authenticity and originality of the work. Proper citation and a rigorous check for originality are essential to avoid this subtle but serious form of plagiarism.

Is Incremental Plagiarism Accidental?

Incremental plagiarism can be both intentional and accidental.

It’s intentional when a person knowingly incorporates small parts of someone else’s work into their own without giving proper credit.

However, it can also be accidental, often resulting from a lack of understanding about what constitutes plagiarism or how to properly cite sources.

For instance, a person might think that changing a few words in a sentence makes it their own, or they might not realise that even paraphrased ideas need to be credited. This lack of awareness can lead to unintentional incremental plagiarism.

Regardless of intent, it’s important to remember that all forms of plagiarism, including incremental, are considered unethical and can have serious consequences in academic and professional settings. Therefore, it’s crucial to always give credit where it’s due and strive for originality in your work.

Remember, using someone else’s work can be a great way to learn and get inspired, but the final product should always reflect your own understanding and unique perspective. That’s where the ‘human touch’ comes in - it’s about making the work truly yours.

Incremental Plagiarism vs Global Plagiarism vs Patchwork Plagiarism

Here is a table comparing Incremental, Global, and Patchwork Plagiarism:

Incremental Plagiarism Examples

Sure, here are a few examples of incremental plagiarism:

1. Word-for-word copying:

Let's say a student is writing an essay on global warming and finds a relevant paragraph on a website. Instead of paraphrasing or summarizing the information, the student copies and pastes the entire paragraph into their essay without giving credit to the original source.

Original source: "According to recent research, global warming is caused by the excessive release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat and cause the Earth's temperature to rise at an alarming rate."

Plagiarism example: "According to recent research, global warming is caused by the excessive release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat and cause the Earth's temperature to rise at an alarming rate."

2. Sentence rearrangement:

In this case, a student finds a sentence in a book that perfectly captures their thoughts on a topic. They decide to use the sentence but rearrange the words and structure slightly to make it appear as their original work.

Original source: "Renewable energy sources are crucial for reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and mitigating the harmful effects of climate change."

Plagiarism example: "Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change are crucial reasons for utilizing renewable energy sources."

3.?Using Quotes without Proper Citation

One common form of incremental plagiarism occurs when a writer includes a quote from another source without providing proper citation.

When incorporating someone else’s exact words into your work, it is essential to enclose the quote in quotation marks and include a citation to acknowledge the original author.

For instance, suppose you are writing a paper on climate change and wish to include a quote from a scientist's report. Failing to enclose the quote in quotation marks and cite the source constitutes incremental plagiarism.

Prominent Cases of?Incremental?Plagiarism

Political Speech

One notable instance of incremental plagiarism that garnered significant public attention occurred during the 2016 Republican National Convention. Melania Trump, the wife of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, delivered a speech that soon raised eyebrows for its familiarity.

Journalist Jarret Hill was among the first to spot the similarities, recognising that parts of Melania's address closely mirrored a speech given by former First Lady Michelle Obama at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Following these accusations, The Washingtonian conducted an analysis using a plagiarism checker, which revealed that 47% of Melania's speech matched Michelle Obama's earlier speech.

The statistical likelihood of such a similarity occurring by chance was calculated to be less than one in a trillion.

Despite the evidence and public scrutiny, the Trump family did not formally acknowledge the plagiarism.

Song Lyrics

Incremental plagiarism in song lyrics occurs when artists borrow phrases or lines from other songs without proper credit or permission.

This can happen inadvertently, as artists may be influenced by the music they listen to and unconsciously incorporate similar themes or m

The original version of this article was published on the Bytescare Blog.