1. Avoiding Plagiarism
Note Taking Guide

2. What is Plagiarism?
The uncredited use (both intentional and unintentional) of somebody else's words or ideas.
Also called academic/intellectual theft.
Video: The Perils of Plagiarism

3. When to Cite: If You Didn’t Know it Before!
If something is NOT common knowledge, you better cite your source!
Common Knowledge: Abraham Lincoln was the President of the United States during the Civil War.
NOT Common Knowledge: In June, Lincoln delivered his now-famous “house divided” speech, in which he quoted from the Gospels to illustrate his belief that “this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free” (History.com, 2018).
When to Cite: If You Didn’t Know it Before!

4. Use your OWN WORDS and your OWN VOICE
Resist the urge to COPY/PASTE. Take notes in your own words: it will help you learn about the topic so you know enough to explain it yourself!
Use MULTIPLE sources. Reading many perspectives allows you a chance to decide YOUR OWN IDEAS on the topic.
Use your OWN WORDS and your OWN VOICE

5. Deciding How to Cite Make clear WHOSE idea it originally was!
Ask a TEACHER or use a CITATION WEBSITE for help.
Deciding How to Cite

6. Indicate Which Source You are Using Where
In-Text Citations include the AUTHOR and PAGE NUMBER.
No Author? Use the Article TITLE Instead!
Websites won’t have page numbers!
Indicate Which Source You are Using Where

7. Cite Paraphrasing Always CITE another’s ideas!
Paraphrasing uses ORGINAL wording, but you still must CITE!
Paraphrasing eliminates the need for QUOTATION MARKS.
Cite Paraphrasing

8. Cite Exact Words Use QUOTATION MARKS around a person’s exact words.
Place author’s LAST NAME
and PAGE NUMBER in
parenthesis.
Cite Exact Words

9. Label Citation Format
Jacobs, Alan. The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction. Oxford: Oxford UP, Print.