“How does Johnson-Eilola and Selber’s concept of assemblage relate to remix? Where do we draw the line between plagiarism and originality? Are there any parts of this article that confuse you?”

The concept of assemblage relates to the combining process of creating a remix. Original copies and ideas are combined to have social effects. The article as a whole is an assemblage of texts and views of others regarding the relationship among plagiarism, originality and assemblage. Various examples of literature that have been adjusted or improved from its original form by the process of combination and transformation can be found. The article encourages students to remix texts in ways that address specific readers, issues ad situations. Assemblages are promoted as a valid form of writing to create a remix culture.

When a piece of literature (whether it is a song, movie, technology etc.) is copied, without the process of combination and/or transformation to follow, the piece is defined as plagiarized. When a person only copies someone’s idea for the purpose of profit or failing to acknowledge the bibliographic work of others, he/she is guilty of plagiarism. The difference is clear. Plagiarism links to only copying the work, while remixed pieces are created by copying, combining and transforming the idea.

Although there were specific extracts where the exact meaning was not clear to me (specifically concerning some views on plagiarism and the provided examples of assemblage from website design), I understood the passage as a whole. I would recommend fewer examples of remixes in the article as the theme is still clear to the reader. I agreed with and enjoyed the theme of plagiarism and originality vs. assemblage, with the idea of assemblages as clear victor.