Avoiding Plagiarism WHAT IT IS… AND WHY YOU SHOULD AVOID IT!

Plagiarism is…  “The unauthorized use or close imitation of the of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one’s original work.” Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language,  Dishonest  Cheating  Stealing

Forms of Plagiarism  Complete Plagiarism  Near Complete Plagiarism  Patchwork Plagiarism (“Assembled Papers”)  Lazy Plagiarism  Self Plagiarism  Accidental Plagiarism

from OWL at Purdue University “Avoiding Plagiarism” Purdue University Online. September 3,

Consequences…  A zero on the assignment  Automatic failure of the class  Academic probation  Expulsion from school  Lost reputation  Loss of trust

Avoiding Plagiarism  Research  Writing  Citations  Editing From Gordon, Colin H., et al. “Plagiarism Brochure” Biology Program Guide 2003/2004. University of British Columbia. Online. 5 September

Research  Document your sources  Create a “Source Card”  Identify quotations and paraphrases From Gordon, Colin H., et al. “Plagiarism Brochure” Biology Program Guide 2003/2004. University of British Columbia. Online. 5 September

Writing  Original Organization  Use direct quotations or your own word – avoid CLOSE paraphrases  Read the draft closely From Gordon, Colin H., et al. “Plagiarism Brochure” Biology Program Guide 2003/2004. University of British Columbia. Online. 5 September

Citations  When in doubt CITE  Citations must clearly identify the source  Include a complete bibliography or works cited section From Gordon, Colin H., et al. “Plagiarism Brochure” Biology Program Guide 2003/2004. University of British Columbia. Online. 5 September

Choosing When to Cite Do Cite When:  When you are using or referring to somebody else’s words or ideas from any medium  When you use information gained by interviewing someone  When you copy the exact words or a "unique phrase"  When you reprint any diagrams, illustrations, charts, or pictures  When using others’ ideas from conversations or Do Not Cite When  When you are writing about your own experiences, observations, insights, thoughts, or conclusions about a subject  When you are using "common knowledge"  When compiling accepted facts  When writing up your own experimental results From “Avoiding Plagiarism” OWL at Purdue University Online. September 19, 2003http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_plagiar.html

But everybody knows that!! Do I still have to cite my source?  Not if it is considered “Common Knowledge”  How do I know if it is considered “Common Knowledge?”  Reasonably expect an average person to know it  Found it undocumented in at least five (5) resources  It is easily found in a standard reference source

Editing  Are all your citations complete?  Is all quoted material attributed to a source?  When paraphrasing did you cite the original?  Is the language your own or your sources’? From Gordon, Colin H., et al. “Plagiarism Brochure” Biology Program Guide 2003/2004. University of British Columbia. Online. 5 September

Remember… ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT PLAGIARISM!