Spotting Plagarism: Practice Sheet
From: Writing Tips by Professor Elizabeth Outka

Compare the original sources with their variations. Which variations constitute plagiarism and/or violate the standards for citation?

1. Original Source: "Even more remarkable is the stunning variety and sheer comic excess that Shakespeare has built into [Falstaff]: he is a liar, glutton, knave, coward, thief, lecher, drunkard, wit, skilled rhetorician, mast of the arts of language, the very embodiment of a canavalesque misrule" (Abrams 824).

a. It is stunning to consider the sheer variety and comic extravagance that Shakespeare uses to present his character Falstaff: he is a liar, glutton, master of the arts of language, a wit, drunkard, a skilled liar, and a glutton (Abrams 824).

b. It is stunning to consider the sheer variety and comic extravagance that Shakespeare uses to present his character Falstaff: he is a liar, glutton, master of the arts of language, a wit, drunkard, a skilled talker, a liar, and a glutton.

c. Flastaff unites a dizzying array of traits in one character. He is by turns, "a liar, glutton, master of language, and a glutton" (Abrams 824).

d. Falstaff unites a dizzying array of traits in one character. He is by turns a "liar, glutton, knave, coward, thief lecher, [and] drunkard" (Abrams, found on page 824).

2. Original Source: "I Henry IV is centrally concerned with political power - its sources, uses, manifestations, theatrical displays, ambiguities, and subversions. Recent criticism has focused attention on several political issues: how far does this play (and the tetralogy) serve to reinforce the "Tudor myth" of providential kingship? And to what extent does it undermine that myth by exposing the basis of kingship as Machiavellian force and fraud? How far does Prince Hal's prodigal son transformation make him into an ideal monarch who assumes and fulfills his filial and regal responsibilities?" (Abrams 824)

a. I Henry IV asks the critical question: What makes a good king? Are kings designated by God? Does Prince Hal's prodigal son transformation make him into an ideal monarch who assumes and fulfills his filial and regal responsibilities?

b. As Abrams points out, ideas of political power permeate I Henry IV. Critics have considered whether the play supports an idea of providential kingship, or whether, by the extraordinary Machiavellian nature of Henry's actions, Shakespeare actually contradicts this myth (Abrams 824).

c. I Henry IV is centrally concerned with political power - its sources, uses, manifestations, theatrical displays, ambiguities, and subversions. Recent criticism has focused attention on several political issues: how far does this play (and the tetralogy) serve to reinforce the "Tudor myth" of providential kingship? And to what extent does it undermine that myth by exposing the basis of kingship as Machiavellian force and fraud? How far does Prince Hal's prodigal son transformation make him into an ideal monarch who assumes and fulfills his filial and regal responsibilities? (Abrams 824)

Works Cited

Abrams, M. H., et al. Introduction to I Henry IV. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. 6th ed. Vol. 1. New York: Norton, 1993. 823-4.

Barnet, Sylvan. Introduction. Hamlet. By William Shakespeare. New York: Signet Classics, 1998. lxxiii-lxxv.

Innumerable lectures from Professor Outka's teachers and professors.

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