If I search answers online for an essay topic, is it cheating?

[hopeforfaith]

I've been thinking, what about exams? Like if I read some essays, I don't think I have to say "according to sparknotes" right? But I have read some professional criticism. The teacher encouraged us to read them, but she didn't say whether we have to qoute which essayist was it from during exams. I've looked at public past papers as well, they all didn't specify that candidates have to state or cite their source. In my region, references are only for thesis or research.

So how should I put it in my exam when I had gotten ideas from another source? Is "many have stated", or "like some critics said.." or "one may feel" okay? Because I have no idea When they are inspirations and when I have copied them.

[RSD]

Originally Posted by hopeforfaith

I've been thinking, what about exams? Like if I read some essays, I don't think I have to say "according to sparknotes" right? But I have read some professional criticism. The teacher encouraged us to read them, but she didn't say whether we have to qoute which essayist was it from during exams. I've looked at public past papers as well, they all didn't specify that candidates have to state or cite their source. In my region, references are only for thesis or research.

So how should I put it in my exam when I had gotten ideas from another source? Is "many have stated", or "like some critics said.." or "one may feel" okay? Because I have no idea When they are inspirations and when I have copied them.

Listen, you REALLY need to discuss these questions with your teacher(s), preferably openly during class time. It is very likely that other students have similar questions. Try to make it clear to your teacher that you want to understand, not that you are trying to see how much you can get away with.

Remember, what is cheating depends on what the rules are for that particular situation. Using your book during an exam is not cheating if it is an open book exam, it is cheating if you are not supposed to be using a book, even if you don't intend to cheat.