I don't write books, no, but I did take AP and honor English classes in high school and I have never gotten lower than a B+ in any English class throughout my life. I think that's a good thing.

 

Someone above pretty much said it. The next time she starts writing something, just matter-of factly say "see if you can write a story you did not already read." Once you get her to write original stories, then you can explain why copying the thoughts of another should be avoided. It will be a lot easier for her to undestand if you can start the discussion by getting her to agree that she would not want someone else to copy her story and take credit for it. If the discussion centers around an original work that she created, you won't be devaluing her work to make the point. If anything, you will be stroking her ego.

People, especially kids, need to actually stand in the other person's shoes before they get the point.

 

[QUOTE=S1997,Oct 22 2008, 05:06 PM] "Borrowing" ideas without giving credit is such a strong taboo in our culture. But it hasn't always been the case. In the Middle ages European poets borrowed freely from each other without mentioning the source, and the notion that individual authorship was sacrosanct was not widespread. Renaissance and Barock music were similarly copied freely; for example H

 

You are one wise old man.

 

My point, which I probably did not do a very good job of presenting, was that you can be both "amused" [pleased that your granddaughter is developing a love of reading] and mildly "alarmed" [that she received so much positive feedback from her first inocent brush with plagerism].

In other words, emphasize the positive but don't neglect the other message that using other peoples ideas as your own isn't a good thing.

I probably come down on this with more "alarm" than may be necessary but since I don't have any grandchildren yet I am still in parent mode rather than the kinder, gentler grandparent mode.

 

Ah, wait until you are a grandparent.

It's a whole new ballgame. They truly will (excuse the expression) charm the pants right off of you. I promise! They do NO wrong, and are so much more fun than the "first batch."

I'm really not alarmed at the praise she received. I gave her plenty,(before I knew the real story), though even now, knowing the truth, I'd still praise her, but maybe with a "the next time you write a story....." It's all a learning experience for her. I did wonder if I should be mildly alarmed that she thought the story was her own. However, Dr C's comments, and Jim/Poks2k's example of a kid tracing a drawing and calling it their own was on point, as were the other comments as to this is how kids learn, copying, reading, repeating. If she does this at age 12, then I'll be alarmed.

I'm enjoying the responses by the way.

 

Leave it to Bass.