Library Tip #1 - Plagiarism

Let us show you how the NFCC Library can help you ace your research papers and avoid plagiarism. The NFCC Catalog defines plagiarism as: when a student presents the work, writing or an idea of another as if it were original to the student. Whenever a student presents written or oral work for credit which includes words, data or ideas of others credit must be given by supplying appropriate references and/or citations. The specifics of this may vary depending upon the specific academic discipline, but it is proper academic practice in every field of study to give credit to source materials and persons.

To prevent plagiarism when writing essays and research papers, you must tell your reader where you found your information. You must document information that is paraphrased or information that is presented as a direct quote. Documenting your sources is also called citing sources. There are specific rules and formats to be used. The most common style used at NFCC is MLA Format. Stay tuned for our next post which discusses the penalties for plagiarism at NFCC.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

This novel has it all - time travel, adventure, wonderful setting, and romance. Claire Beauchamp, a nurse from WWII England steps through a crack in a stone and ends up in 17th century Scotland. She is taken to Castle Leoch where she meets Jamie Fraser, a tall, stubborn red-headed Scot who is really larger than life. This story is filled with rich, well-developed characters that will make you laugh and cry. The plot twists will have you sitting on the edge of your seat and you will feel as if you were there living through the experiences of the characters. This is a book that you will not be able to put down until it is finished.

The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

Reviewed by Lynn Wyche
The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver is an enthralling story covering 30 years and two countries. Kingsolver has a knack for making her characters seem so real you expect to meet them. In this novel she combines the life of a fictional character, Harrison Shepherd, with the lives of true historic figures such as Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Her descriptions of places in Mexico make you want to look it up on a map and fly there. Her descriptions of Rivera and Kahlo’s work makes you want to plan a trip to a museum to see their paintings. Even the food prepared in the story may make your mouth water. With all of these sensory delights there is also a story of personal loss and sacrifice and the danger of politics. A wonderful history lesson is woven into this story in a way that is truly engrossing. Harrison Shepherd eventually becomes a writer and the descriptions of his fictional works make me wish he were real and that those books were real. This is Kingsolver’s true talent and power, to make the reader want more.

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

- contributed by Kay Hogan
I'm a bit new to the vampire genre. -I've read the entire Twilight series multiple times but that is the limit of my experience with vampire novels. Now I've discovered Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris. This is a much darker vampire tale. Vampires are not the stuff of myth and legend in this book. They have recently "come out of the closet" and many are part of normal society. This threw me for a loop - no more protecting the Big Secret.

Sookie Stackhouse is a waitress in small rural town in Louisiana. She can read minds and it drives her crazy. In fact many people in town think she is crazy anyway. She meets Bill Compton who is a vampire whose mind is silent for her. She is immediately attracted to him. The author presents a bizarre underworld of humans who enjoy drinking vampire blood at the same time offering their blood to vampires. Who would've guessed? Now Sookie could be the next victim of a killer who thinks vampires and humans should not mix. Bill is not the romantic hero of a fairy tale. He is by nature a killer but tries to "mainstream" to fit into normal society. Their relationship is very complicated but it works on some level. This book wasn't at all what I was expecting but I will try to get my hands on the second book in this series. This series is not at the NFCC Library.

Article on Stephenie Meyer

http://www.style.com/vogue/feature/2009_March_Stephenie_Meyer/

If you are interested in the Twilight Series (see previous post from August below) check out the link above.

The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory

-contributed by Kay Hogan
This book is a fictionalized account of the life of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII, and her sister Mary. Mary is the "Other Boleyn girl" who had an affair with Henry VIII before her sister Anne came on the scene. This story shows how little women were valued in the sixteenth century. These women were used to advance their family's fortune at any cost. The scheming that takes place in the novel is absolutely unbelievable. It is a riveting novel that has several twists and turns. One feels sympathy for the characters even though their actions are sometimes inexcusable.

Making the Most of Your Life

Making the Most of Your Life is a book that has impacted me because now I know that I am not the only one with problems. I should just look at the bright side of my problems. I have been stressing too much since I started college because all of the work I have to do. The classes I am taking have taught me many things I did not know from high school; and sometimes I feel like I never even went to high school because everything seems so new to me. Now, I am able to understand math, English, and writing, and I am reading a lot better. What I have learned from this book was not to give up in school and that problems are a part of life. I should just have a positive attitude, READ, and try to do my best. This book, Making the Most of Your Life, has motivated me a lot since I have read it. Angelica