Plagiarism Detection Experiment: Jane Austen's Work Submitted as New Novel Goes Unnoticed
By
pseudolus
Toasted to a respectable shade. No regrets, no crumbs left.
Summary
The article discusses how plagiarism often goes undetected, using a 2007 experiment where chapters of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' were submitted to editors as a 'new' novel called 'First Impressions.' Despite containing one of English literature's most famous opening lines, only one editor identified the plagiarism, highlighting how easily literary theft can escape detection in the publishing industry.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledIt is a truth universally acknowledged that people get away with plagiarism a lot—even when the line they are plagiarising is 'It is a truth universally acknowledged...'
In 2007 chapters of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' were sent with minor variations to 18 editors, purporting to be a 'new' novel entitled 'First Impressions'.
Despite it containing one of the most famous lines in English literature, only one editor called out the hoaxer.
'My first impression' on reading 'First Impressions', he replied with Austenian archness, was 'mild annoyance' then 'laughte'
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