Good day friends. Welcome back again.
I started a little of this discussion in my post here yesterday, and I pray to continue and lay a proper foundation for what I want us to learn from. I am using myself as an example of a victim of plagiarism not because I was or am proud of it, but because I want others to learn from my mistake and avoid making same mistake when making their post. People do say that it is wisdom to learn from others mistake, but that it is also foolishness not to learn from what others have passed and repeat their mistakes.
To start with, what is plagiarism? According to Oxford dictionary, plagiarism is seen as Copying of another person's ideas, text or other creative work, and presenting it as one's own, especially without permission; having laid that foundation, we should know that when we copy anything from someone's work, no matter how small, we should give a reference of where the work was copied from. For me before, I thought that when you copy a little not all of someone's work, you don't need to drop the reference. I have it in my mind that it is only when I copy everything that is in the work without reference that it will be referred to as plagiarism. But friends I was wrong. And I did not know. First, When I started hiving, the person who introduced me in the person of @hivedeb warned me against plagiarism, but it did not done on me that even when I copy a little of someone's work that it will be regarded as plagiarism. Hiving started and every thing was moving fine from the month of March, but after hiven for about two to three months, on this faithful Monday, I was to participate in hive learners contest with the title: Processed or Natural food, this link may be of help just Incase - @adaezeinchrist/processed-or-natural-food-which.
I just felt like I needed more ideas to add up to what I already have, so, I googled it and got some ideas and added to my work. At first I did not see it as anything bad if I did not add the reference of where I got the addition from. That was how it all started. Seeing it as normal, I started going to check out maybe one or two things to add to whatever that I am writing about.
Then on Wednesday the hivewatchers visited my blog and told me that I was plagiarism. First, I thought that it is not an offense, I thought that I can just go back to the post and add the reference where I got the addition from and the issue will be settled. But when I answered their call, I realized that it was a big offense and that I needed to serve the punishment for my offense for sixty days. When I saw what was happening, I told myself that this is the end of the road for me. I just concluded that I can't make it again. After pleading for some times, I noticed that once you are caught indulging in plagiarism, no escape for you.
But I want to thank God for the few friends that I met here in hive who stood by me and insisted that this will not be my end. My onboarder asked me a question one of the days, she said if one commits an offense in the church and he/she is giving back seat, what is he expected to do to show that he/she is sorry for what he/she has done? I answered her by saying that the person needs to serve that punishment. Then she said to me that the only way to show that I am sorry for what I have done is to serve that punishment. At this point, I picked courage and started writing my first Appeal.
At this point I want to sincerely appreciate: @ovey10, @fasacity, and @hivedeb for encouraging me to do the right in the days of crisis. I can't also forget @zestimony, your post gave me the courage for doing this. God bless you all.
The rest of the story we will continue tomorrow.
Still your friend @adaezeinchrist.