possible plagiarism

[Jerry Ervin]

Colleagues,

It occurs to me that one way to forestall (or pick up on) plagiarism is to
announce that all papers that you are considering for an A or a B will
require a 20-minute personal interview between the instructor and the
student.  You'll quickly find out how familiar the student is with the
topic, and can follow up on this or that cited source quite neutrally.

Quite aside from the question of plagiarism, such a requirement gives you a
good sense of what students have learned from their research and  writing. 
It also makes for a nice way to get to know your students, and them--you.

Cheers,

Jerry Ervin
Assoc Prof Emeritus, Ohio State University