Copy Practice Worksheet

Use the exercises below to practice your copying skills. Fill in your responses in the spaces provided.

1. Keyboard Shortcuts Practice

1. Open the Sample Text Document for Copying Practice.
2. Using only keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V or Cmd+C / Cmd+V), copy the first paragraph of the document and paste it in the box below:

2. Mouse vs. Keyboard Selection

a. In the sample document, select the sentence beginning with “(Insert your chosen sentence)” using your mouse, then copy and paste it here:

b. Now, select the next sentence using Shift + Arrow keys, then copy and paste it below:

3. Paste Options & Formatting

Refer to the Copy Like a Pro Cheat Sheet for guidance on paste options.

Copy the same short text segment three times below, each time using a different paste option. Label each pasted block.

a. Keep Source Formatting

b. Merge Formatting

c. Plain Text

4. Ethical Copying Reflection

Review the Ethical Copying Guidelines Handout before answering.

a. Why is proper attribution important when copying someone else’s work?

b. Describe a real-world scenario where improper copying (e.g., plagiarism or missing attribution) could cause significant issues.

c. List three steps you can take to ensure you copy and paste ethically in your daily tasks.

Good luck! Be sure to review your cheat sheet and guidelines as you work through each section.

Ethical Copying Guidelines

In our digital world, copying and sharing content is easy—but that doesn’t mean it’s always right. Ethical copying protects creators, maintains your credibility, and keeps you out of legal trouble. Follow these guidelines whenever you work with someone else’s text.

1. Why Ethical Copying Matters

• Respect for Creators: Authors and designers put time and effort into their work. Giving credit honors that effort.
• Professional Integrity: Proper attribution builds trust with colleagues, clients, and readers.
• Legal Compliance: Copyright laws protect original works. Ignoring them can lead to penalties.

2. Attribution: Giving Credit Where It’s Due

When you copy exact words or refer to someone’s ideas, always:

1. Name the Source: Include the author’s name and the work’s title.
2. Use Quotation Marks: For direct quotes, wrap the copied text in quotation marks.
3. Provide a Citation or Link: Show where the original text came from.

Example:

“Clear communication is the cornerstone of teamwork.” — Alex Rivera, Team Dynamics Today

3. Quoting vs. Paraphrasing

• Quoting: Copy the exact words; use quotation marks and cite the source.
• Paraphrasing: Rewrite the idea in your own words, but still cite the original author.

Whether quoting or paraphrasing, attribution is mandatory.

4. Understanding and Avoiding Plagiarism

Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s work as your own. Common pitfalls:

• Copying Without Credit: Even a single sentence needs attribution.
• Patchwriting: Replacing a few words here and there without real rephrasing.
• Self-Plagiarism: Reusing your own past work without noting that it’s been published before.

Consequences range from damaged reputation to formal disciplinary action.

5. Legal Considerations and Fair Use

• Copyright Protection: Most creative works are automatically protected by copyright.
• Fair Use Exceptions: Limited copying for commentary, criticism, teaching, or research may be allowed—but check your organization’s policy.
• Licenses and Permissions: When in doubt, seek permission or use content in the public domain or under an open license.

6. Best Practices for Ethical Copying

1. Select Deliberately: Highlight only the text you need to copy.
2. Use Proper Paste Options: Choose “Plain Text” or “Merge Formatting” to avoid hidden data or formatting issues.
3. Add Citations Promptly: Insert attributions right after you paste.
4. Keep a Source List: Maintain a simple log of where each copied excerpt came from.
5. Review Company Policy: Follow any additional guidelines set by your organization.

7. Further Resources

• See the Copy Like a Pro Cheat Sheet for quick shortcuts and paste tips.
• Practice with the Copy Practice Worksheet to build confidence.
• Consult your legal or compliance team for organization-specific rules.

Ethical copying isn’t just good practice—it’s a professional responsibility. Keep these guidelines handy to ensure your copying is always above reproach.

Copy Like a Pro Cheat Sheet

A quick-reference guide to boost your copying efficiency, apply proper formatting, and follow ethical practices.

1. Keyboard Shortcuts

Tip: Use Ctrl + Z/⌘+Z to undo mistakes immediately.

2. Text Selection Methods

• Mouse drag: click and drag over text.

• Shift + Arrow keys: hold Shift and press ← ↑ → ↓.

• Double-click: select a word.

• Triple-click: select an entire paragraph.

3. Paste Options & Formatting

When you paste, choose the option that fits your goal:

• Keep Source Formatting – Preserves original fonts, colors, and spacing.

• Merge Formatting – Adapts pasted text to match your document’s style while keeping bold/italic.

• Plain Text – Strips all formatting; great for pasting into emails, notes, or code.

How to access:

• Right-click ► Paste Special or Paste Options menu.
  
• Ribbon (Windows): Home ► Paste ▼ ► select option.
  
• Mac: Edit ► Paste and Match Style for plain text.

4. Quick Ethical Copying Tips

• Always attribute direct quotes and paraphrased ideas.

• Use quotation marks for exact text; cite the author and title.

• When paraphrasing, rewrite fully in your own words and still cite.

• Avoid patchwriting—don’t just swap a few words.

For full details, see the Ethical Copying Guidelines Handout.

5. Pro Tips for Seamless Copying

1. Select Precisely: Highlight only the text you need to reduce cleanup.
2. Strip Hidden Data: Use Plain Text to remove hidden formatting or metadata.
3. Log Your Sources: Keep a simple list of where each excerpt came from.
4. Practice Regularly: Use the Copy Practice Worksheet to build speed and confidence.

Keep this sheet handy to work faster, maintain clean documents, and copy ethically every time!