IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Sep 2003

Imitation, copying, and the use of models: Report writing in an introductory physics course

A.A. Jones ; T.E. Freeman

Abstract

The article focuses on the use and misuse of models-both appropriate and inappropriate-in the report-writing practices of first year physics students, especially those from non-English speaking backgrounds. It analyzes the students' propensity to use any available text on a given topic as a source of model sentences. Examples of "copying" are provided and analyzed. It is argued that many forms of copying are legitimate learning strategies of novice writers, for the production of certain kinds of texts, but that this can become a problem when inappropriate models are used or when appropriate models are used inappropriately. Copying is discussed in relation to imitative learning and modeling as well as plagiarism, and some suggestions to improve teaching practice are made.

Journal
IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Published
2003-09-01
DOI
10.1109/tpc.2003.816790
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Open Access
Closed
Topics
teacher development professional writing
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Cited by in this index (0)

No articles in this index cite this work.

Cites in this index (1)

  1. Bruffee (1984)
    Collaborative Learning and the "Conversation of Mankind"
    College English
Also cites 13 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.1126/science.182.4112.553
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  2. 10.1017/S0140525X0003123X
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  4. 10.1037/11168-000
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  5. 10.4324/9781315009698
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  6. 10.1017/S0140525X98351742
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  7. 10.2307/j.ctvjf9vz4
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  8. 10.1017/CBO9781139173674.009
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  9. 10.1017/CBO9781139524551.018
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  10. 10.1080/09500789708666728
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  11. 10.1093/applin/20.1.1
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  12. 10.1080/758484352
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  13. 10.1119/1.16539
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CrossRef global citation count: 13 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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