Avoiding Plagiarism

What is Plagiarism? Idea comes from someone else You don’t give credit

Can plagiarism be accidental? Standards vary. Some say accidental representation of others’ thoughts as your own is also plagiarism. Example: Using words of a source almost same as original, though you meant to paraphrase. Avoid even appearance of plagiarism.

Standards Vary Standards differ among classes, schools, and countries. In the U.S., there are strict consequences for plagiarizing, which can include failure in the course and even expulsion from school.

Examples of Plagiarism Buying an essay Borrowing a paper to copy parts Stealing an essay Paying someone to write your paper Copying portions of a text (from anywhere) without using quotes or proper “citation.”

Different from “Cheating.” Examples of Cheating: Copying answers from another student during test or exam. Using a copy of the test for study without teacher approval Using any info during exam that’s not approved by teacher.

When to Give Credit? If you are sharing an idea from an outside source that is not “common knowledge,” you need to include a “citation” (tell us who said this and where it was said). You need to do this even if you have put that idea in your own words.