1. Plagiarism
WHAT IS IT?

2. What is Plagiarism
Submitting another’s work as one’s own (including both academic and non-academic sources).
Failure to properly cite sources, whether quoted or paraphrased.
From the SWBTS Academic Catalog: “Unless credit is explicitly given to sources, the student is asserting that the words and/or the thoughts are the student's own original work. Falling short of these standards is academic dishonesty” (See “Ethical Conduct”).

3. How to Avoid Plagiarism?
Your professors want to see that you understand the materials you read, and then they want to know that you are critically engaging those sources.
The books and articles you read are the building blocks upon which you will build.
The ideas you take from these materials, YOU MUST CITE. But those ideas which you gain from your analysis of the materials are your own.
When you cite a source, it then becomes evidence for the idea you are trying to communicate.
Adapted from “The Writing Center” of UNC, Chapel Hill, on “Plagiarism”

4. Common Knowledge
Every field contains “common knowledge,” but the question is: “Is it common knowledge to you?” In order to decide whether or not the information you are using is “common knowledge,” ask yourself two questions:
Did I know this information before I took this course?
Did this information/idea come from my own brain?
If the answer to either (or both) question is “No,” then the information is not “common knowledge” to you. You must cite.
Adapted from “The Writing Center” of UNC, Chapel Hill, on “Plagiarism”

5. Paraphrasing
Yes, you must cite when you paraphrase. However, you must understand what paraphrasing is.
Paraphrasing is NOT changing a few words of a text, or rearranging a text, using synonyms, or changing its grammar. If you do this, it is plagiarism, EVEN IF YOU CITE!
Paraphrasing is putting the ideas of another into your own words. A good method is to close the book upon reading and then write your own version of what you have read. Then check to see if you are still too close to the original.
Adapted from “The Writing Center” of UNC, Chapel Hill, on “Plagiarism”

6. In Conclusion: Important Questions to Ask
Can my readers tell which ideas belong to whom?
Am I clear about how I have used others’ ideas in service to my own contributions?
Have I represented others’ work fairly in the context of my own?
Where have I contributed something of my own to the discussion?
Adapted from “The Responsible Plagiarist-Understanding Students Who Misuse Sources” by Abigail Lipson and Sheila Reindi. About Campus. July-August 2003/Vol. 8, No. 3, pp Found on the Duke University Thompson Writing Program, “Working with Sources: Avoiding Plagiarism.”