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Self Plagiarism

Could anybody explain to me exactly what this means? I've just been told that it means that I can't write about a topic I've already written an essay on in an exam, can anybody confirm this?

My uni have mentioned absolutely nothing to do with this, and given what I've been informed it means, it seems like something that would happen regularly.
Reply 1
Avatar for Iscariot
Iscariot
11
Can't say I've ever had two topics which were similar enough to copy my previous work - but my friend tried to use the core of his dissertation from his Sports Therapy degree for his Physiotherapy dissertation and got told it wasn't allowed.

Talk to your university.
Reply 2
Avatar for Tommy Jet
Tommy Jet
Yeah, if you've been formally assessed and wrote on one thing, then you can't answer the same/similar question in the exam or write on the same text or subject
But, if there's a small and unvoidable crossover, that's okay.
Talk to the university, they'll give you the specific rules for your department.
Reply 3
Avatar for Ad-Alta
Ad-Alta
14
Yeah, you can't write on the same topic twice, i.e. let's say you wrote on 'How to grow potatoes', and then you chose 'Methods of growing potatoes' in a second essay or exam. Basically, you can't repeat yourself overly - it's fine to mention maybe one paragraph of something you've already done, or to use it as an example, but you wouldn't be able to write on it for the bulk of your answer.

Also you can't copy and paste things you've written into other essays. It's fine to use the same methodology repeated times (i.e. psychoanalytic interpretation, applying a certain theorist etc) but you wouldn't be able to write on the same methodology applied to the same area.
Reply 4
Avatar for Gemz87
Gemz87
1
I thought this too, after one of our exams a load of people were talking about how easy it was because they answered the question which was similar to their essay topic.

I deliberately choose differing ones.

(Generally, not directed at OP or anyone else) How can you expect to gain a valid education through your degree if you constantly dwell on one area of your subject?
Reply 5
Avatar for ssk2
ssk2
10
Playing devils advocate (I agree with you) but maybe people want to highly specialise in one area?
Reply 6
Avatar for hobnob
hobnob
14
ssk2
Playing devils advocate (I agree with you) but maybe people want to highly specialise in one area?

But that's what graduate degrees are for, surely?
on my degree, if a certain topic appears on an essay, it is normally given that it won't be on the exam. Even where there is exceptions, I prefer picking new subjects rather than going over stuff I've already done.
Reply 8
Avatar for ssk2
ssk2
10
As I stated, I agree with you! I was just trying to MAYBE find a reason why you'd want to focus on one area :P
Reply 9
Avatar for hobnob
hobnob
14
Ah, right, fair enough, then.

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