“For the purpose of this honor system, the use by a student of someone else’s material with intention of using it for credit as if it were his own” This is a quote which the is the definition of what plagiarism is. I found it interesting the use of the word “intention.
Intent is an odd term to use, seeing as it would be hard to prove. I would assume, especially in a case such as this, result overrides intent. In other words, it would not matter that a student did not mean to plagiarize, and what mattered was the fact that the student plagiarized.
I would agree that the perception of many students is that results will override intent. That seems to be why we are all so anxious when we cite material.
While the American legal system is based on the idea that a defendant is innocent until proven guilty, the American education system is based on the idea that a student, if accused, is guilty of plagiarism until proven innocent.