So, in a recent case involving a brand-new author plagiarizing a lot of content from SCP-999 and getting immediately permabanned, we received communication from one of the individual's parents asking if the permanent ban could be instead reduced to a warning due to existing considerations regarding the individual.
Naturally, the ban will be upheld (the user may still appeal in a year) due to the seriousness of plagiarism in a literary community; however, upon reviewing the Site Rules and Guide for Newbies it is understandable how younger authors in particular may not understand/have the foreknowledge of why it's wrong to "borrow" from existing works.
As such, the following changes have been made to make it more immediately and obviously clear that plagiarism is a serious offense:
Guide for Newbies
Don't plagiarize anything. This wiki has a somewhat more expansive definition of plagiarism than most places, and it boils down to "Don't write an idea that you didn't create". Don't try to turn creepypastas, or memes, or pop culture references, into an SCP. This is a wiki for original content, and turning someone else's creation into an SCP or article is not original, and will get your work deleted.
| Don't plagiarize anything. This wiki has a somewhat more expansive definition of plagiarism than most places, and it boils down to "Don't write an idea that you didn't create". Don't try to turn creepypastas, memes, pop culture references into an SCP. Don't copy words directly from other people's works to use in your own writing. This is a wiki for original content, and turning someone else's creation into an SCP or article is not original, and will get your work deleted. Cases of severe plagiarism will result in an immediate ban from the site. |
Site Rules
Added "Plagiarism." to the list of "These actions can result in an immediate permanent ban:"
Plagiarism: You may not attempt to pass off another user's article as your own work. Doing so will result in the work being summarily deleted.
| Plagiarism: You may not attempt to pass off another user's article as your own work, or copy any portion of someone else's writing to use as your own work. Doing so will result in the work being summarily deleted. |
Borrowing from other works is generally fine, so long as there is not a blatant or malicious attempt to deceive the reader into believing that the work is your own. For example, consider the numerous adaptations of Sherlock Holmes: Elementary, Sherlock, The Great Mouse Detective, etc. Your works should be original in style and technique. Contact staff if you're not certain if something is plagiarism.
| Borrowing narrative or character content from other works is generally fine, so long as there is not a blatant or malicious attempt to deceive the reader into believing that the work is your own. For example, consider the numerous adaptations of Sherlock Holmes: Elementary, Sherlock, The Great Mouse Detective, etc. Your works should be original in style and technique. Contact staff if you're not certain if something is plagiarism. |
Please note if there are any disagreements with the above wordings. This thread is mostly for records-keeping.
ETA: noting additional edits:
One paragraph removed from Site Rules:
Quotes: Some quotes are fine, even if they lack attribution, so long as there is no malicious intent. Leaving references or 'Easter eggs' for careful readers to get some connection is acceptable.
Revised portion of plagiarism section from Site Rules:
Plagiarism: You may not copy any portion of someone else's writing to use as your own work without proper attribution. You may not attempt to pass off another user's article as your own work. Doing so will result in [[[Deletions Guide|summary deletion]]] of the work.
Revised portion of plagiarism section from Guide for Newbies:
Don't plagiarize anything. This wiki has a somewhat more expansive definition of plagiarism than most places, and it boils down to "Don't write an idea that you didn't create". Don't try to turn creepypastas, memes, pop culture references into an SCP. Don't copy words directly from other people's works to use in your own writing without proper attribution. […]
