Description
Teach students to avoid plagiarism with this editable plagiarism policy template and plagiarism 4 corner activity! This resource includes a plagiarism questionnaire to assess your students’ opinions on plagiarism and establishes classroom guidelines for handling plagiarism in your classroom.
Included with this Plagiarism Policy Resource:
- Plagiarism Questionnaire – Digital & Print
- Plagiarism Likert Scale Posters for 4-Corners Activity – Print
- Editable Plagiarism Policy Template – Google Docs®
- Teacher Instructions for using this resource
How to use this Plagiarism Policy and 4 Corners Activity:
This plagiarism lesson includes plagiarism questions and an editable plagiarism policy template to establish classroom guidelines for handling plagiarism.
The plagiarism questionnaire uses a Likert scale to gauge your students’ understanding of plagiarism. It asks students questions regarding accidental plagiarism, self-plagiarism, and assisting others to plagiarize. It also prompts them to discuss the consequences of different types of plagiarism and whether or not paraphrasing and citations are always effective strategies to avoid plagiarism.
This resource also includes a set of Likert scale posters that can be used to facilitate a “4 corners” activity to share students’ opinions about plagiarism. Set these posters around the room, with the “Neutral” Likert ranking in the middle of the classroom. After completing the plagiarism questionnaire, students can move to different stations around the room to indicate how they align with each statement. Students can discuss as a group and share their thoughts with the rest of the class. I like to have “neutral” students move to a corner of the room after hearing their classmates’ opinions.
This Plagiarism Questionnaire and 4-Corners Activity will help to formatively assess your students’ views towards plagiarism. This can help you to lay a foundation for collaboratively writing a classroom policy. The Editable Plagiarism Policy Template is formatted for Google Docs® and Microsoft Word®. Students will be prompted to define plagiarism, outline steps they can take to avoid plagiarism, and establish consequences for plagiarizing. After writing this policy together, simply print it off and have each student sign it.
Incorporating this editable Plagiarism Policy into your classroom routine is an essential part of promoting academic integrity. By involving students in the creation of their own Plagiarism Policy, you are encouraging accountability and deeper understanding of what constitutes plagiarism. This co-creation process allows students to feel a sense of ownership and responsibility over the academic rules they follow, making them more likely to uphold the expectations outlined in the policy.
When discussing plagiarism, it’s important to recognize that many students are unaware of the nuances that surround it. Some may think copying a few sentences from an online article without proper citation is harmless. Others may not realize that reusing their own work from a previous assignment—self-plagiarism—is also unethical unless explicitly permitted by the teacher. A well-structured Plagiarism Policy helps clarify these gray areas and prevents misunderstandings.
To reinforce the importance of your classroom’s Plagiarism Policy, consider revisiting the document multiple times throughout the year. For example, before assigning a major essay or research project, review the policy and invite students to ask questions or suggest revisions. This practice ensures that the concept of academic honesty stays at the forefront of students’ minds and demonstrates your commitment to maintaining a respectful and ethical learning environment.
You can also integrate real-world examples when discussing the Plagiarism Policy. Sharing news stories about public figures, authors, or researchers who have been accused of plagiarism can spark meaningful classroom discussions. These conversations can help students recognize the lasting impact that dishonesty can have on one’s reputation and career. When students see how plagiarism extends beyond the classroom, they begin to understand why adhering to a clear and fair Plagiarism Policy is so vital.
Additionally, this lesson and its supporting materials can be adapted to meet different grade levels or learning needs. For younger students or English language learners, simplify the terminology in your Plagiarism Policy and spend more time on guided activities. For more advanced learners, you can expand the policy to include specific formatting rules for citations or address how to responsibly use artificial intelligence tools during research and writing.
The Plagiarism Policy you develop with your students doesn’t just have to be a set of rules—it can become a living document that evolves with the class. If students encounter new challenges or technologies that affect academic integrity, encourage them to revise the policy together. This approach turns the Plagiarism Policy into more than just a contract; it becomes a tool for critical thinking, digital literacy, and ethical decision-making.
Finally, consider creating a display area in your classroom for the signed Plagiarism Policy. When students see their names on the policy and understand its purpose, they are reminded daily of the academic values your classroom stands for. This visual reminder reinforces the connection between personal responsibility and community trust.
By combining active learning strategies, student collaboration, and a thoughtfully designed Plagiarism Policy, this resource will support your efforts in building a culture of honesty and integrity in your classroom. Whether used as a standalone lesson or part of a larger writing unit, it offers a comprehensive and engaging way to address plagiarism with lasting impact.
✨ Kindly note that due to copyright restrictions, this resource is not editable. This is a common practice within the online marketplace in order to protect the clipartists and software providers that have authorized their intellectual property for the development of this resource.
⭒ For classrooms utilizing Google Classroom® ⭒
To access the digital version of these worksheets, simply follow the instructions within the resource to copy the files directly to your Google Drive®.
