K. Goldsmith's article 'It's Not Plagiarism' rewritten.
Original genre: Journal article
New genre: Drama
Kenneth (student)
Dr. Wright (lecturer)
A seminar-room at a university. Approx. 30 students are busy packing away their books and laptops.
Dr. Wright: (Looks across the students and spots Kenneth in the back) Oh, Kenneth, have you got a minute?
Kenneth: (Grabs his bags and goes to the lecturer's desk) Sure. What's up?
(The other students leave the room)
Dr. Wright: (Hands Kenneth some papers) I'm frankly disappointed. I had the impression that you were an intelligent and creative young man, but I've now discovered that you simply pass other people's work off as your own!
Kenneth: (Completely astonished) What do you mean? I always try to be really creative...
Dr. Wright: (Raised eyebrows) Creative? You've copied the ENTIRE assignments from the internet. It's pure plagiarism!
Kenneth: (Insisting) No, no, not at all. I may find inspiration in other people's work, but I then explore NEW ways of writing the same words. Like a master of information, if you like. I move words from one place to another – in a creative manner, that is...
Dr. Wright: (Slightly raised voice) What a load of rubbish! Look, if you can't be bothered to do the work, then perhaps you should find another course.
Kenneth: (Gets an idea) Patchwork is art, is it not?
Dr. Wright: Well, yes. Your point being?
Kenneth: I'm just patchwriting. I'm a literary revolutionary!
Dr. Wright: (Has had enough) No, Kenneth, the modernists, THEY were revolutionaries –
ground breakers – true creative geniuses. You may think of yourself as some sort of "unoriginal genius", but what you do is stealing other people's phrases because you simply can't be bothered to think for yourself. It is hard work to be properly creative, so wake up, Kenneth, smell the bloody poetic roses and do your work!
Nicely done - a radical genre change, and a tight presentation of the conservative academic's argument!
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