As the students are taking notes from their sources, they are required to use each source and to attempt to balance the use of the sources. When I see one source paraphrased or summarized heavily, I go to the source and check their wording. In checking the note cards, I also mark them, but with a different stamper. The students are required to utilize the note cards that they have created in the library in creating their paper.
As I read their paper, I have the bibliography cards and note cards along side the paper, since the students are told that their note cards should be in the order of their paper and that their paper should read as their note cards do. There are several clues to the fact that the final copy of a paper is plagiarized: the student changes topics a couple of days before the paper is due, parenthetical documentation is not used, the paper differs from the note cards or is totally different from the note cards, or the note cards that were turned in prior to the rough draft are not present in the paper at all.
Although internet sites where students may purchase papers contain a statement about plagiarism, students are still copying or downloading papers and claiming them as their own ideas or research. A number of Internet sources are now available to help teachers determine whether or not a paper might be plagiarized.
http://www.aci-plus.com/ (This site even provides the option of purchasing a custom written paper.)
http://www.123helpme.com/ (This site allows students to print out student written papers for free, but "perfect papers" will cost the student $34.95.)
http://www.cheathouse.com/uk/index.html
The next sites are places that will help the concerned teacher check on whether a paper is plagiarized or not.
