There’s a fine line between research and plagiarism. How often have you researched a topic only to find that someone else has already said it in the best possible way?
When that happens, the temptation is to rewrite and disguise it, but use it anyway. The trouble is, that’s not creative. It’s like adding water to powdered milk – reconstituting something that already exists.
The temptation can be overwhelming, particularly when deadlines loom. But powdered milk writing does a disservice to both you and your client. As a writer, you want to showcase the qualities that your client is paying for:
- Originality
- Facility with language
- Good research skills
In order to do that properly, you need to do more than regurgitate what someone else has said. Note that I said regurgitate. I have no problem with writers getting information from several sources, synthesizing and adding their own creative flair to make it original. That’s called research.
If you have ever done a rewrite you will know what I mean. I haven’t done them for a while, but I did a few when I started out in freelancing, because that’s what some of my clients asked for. I always found it easy to research and write an article, but more challenging to spin it twice or three times more. That’s because there was no originality and no creativity. It may have been what the client wanted, but it tasted like powdered milk to me.
What’s your take on this?
(Photo by Roebot)
Article by Sharon Hurley Hall
Sharon Hurley Hall has been mentoring writers here at Get Paid To Write Online since 2005 to help them improve and build sustainable and successful writing careers. Check me out on sharonhh.com. Feel free to connect with me online on Google+.
Sharon has written 653 awesome articles for us at Get Paid to Write Online
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{ 10 comments }
I am currently grappling with this as I begin a new blogging job. I am trying to round up content without simply rephrasing what's already out there. Thanks for the perspective!
Twitter: shurleyhall
November 9, 2009 at 18:41
It's a tricky one, because the more time passes, the harder it is to find something that hasn't been said. Sometimes I find it best to let research sit for a while so I can process it myself and think about the best way to explain it to someone else.
Twitter: GeorgeAngus
November 10, 2009 at 14:51
Hi Sharon,
This is a toughie. I'm of the mindset recently that most everything that can be said about blogging and writing has been put out there. Yes, a different spin can make for a new article but it is so hard to be original these days – I mean *completely* original.
I'll avoid doing it on purpose, but I've had occasions where I've written a post only to find out that a fellow blogger has written virtually the same thing.
George
Twitter: shurleyhall
November 10, 2009 at 15:23
Complete originality is difficult, George. I've had that experience too. In fact, I've got a few posts on file that I had to shelve because of it. The question is, how do you differentiate yourself and your content in an already crowded arena?
Twitter: GeorgeAngus
November 10, 2009 at 16:13
Hi Sharon,
What I try and do is to take a "normal" topic and try to see what connections there may be to the mundane, ordinary things in life. I then try to cram the topic into that box. If it works, then I'm good to go, otherwise, I try to find another box to squeeze the topic in to.
George
Twitter: shurleyhall
November 10, 2009 at 16:48
I usually try to write posts without looking at others first, as those are more about what I am thinking. With researched pieces it can be more difficult.
You know powdered milk content is why we freelancers have a problem finding good pay for our services. I agree with your article wholeheartedly.
My recent post Great Article I Found About Freelancing
Twitter: shurleyhall
November 21, 2009 at 11:57
It's perhaps one of the reasons, Kathryn, though there are others. Where there are people who will do the same job we do for less, then it's up to us to show why we add value. There was a great post on this recently on MenwithPens.
Hi,
Thank you for this post. This is indeed one of the challenges we encounter as freelance writers especially when we're asked by clients to write about a topic we are not familiar with.
I remember reading a book which said that the biggest challenge a writer has to face is to write about a common topic in such a manner that it would appear like as if it's been written on for the first time. At first, it doesn't make sense, but as you try to see through the message, you'll get it. I suppose this is a challenge conquerable through a skill that is developed the more we practice. So, let's keep writing! Soon enough, it would no longer taste like a powdered milk.
My recent post Who is Pinoy Outsourcing Solutions?
Twitter: shurleyhall
November 24, 2009 at 10:32
That's so true, Clarisse. We've got to take our research and distill it into something that sounds authoritative yet fresh – and it can take time to develop those skills.
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