Library Homepage: Avoiding Plagiarism

Avoiding Plagiarism

Plagiarism is:

• downloading a free research paper
• buying a research paper from a commercial paper mill
• copying an article from the Web or a database
• copying a paper from someone you know or someone who previously took the same course
• cutting and pasting from other sources without citing
• quoting only some of the words that are copied
• faking citations (putting a citation on your Reference page for a source you did not use)

How Can I Be Sure I’m Not Plagiarizing?

• Don’t buy a paper, copy paragraphs from friends or classmates, “borrow” sentences from books or articles or use Web sites without identifying them and crediting them.
• Don’t just make a list of all your sources. Organize your information with the resource next to it and cite the author immediately after the idea.
• Acknowledge the author immediately if you quote directly, put the idea into your own words, or if you summarize.
• You have to recognize and acknowledge EVERY fact about your topic (except if it is common knowledge.) Check with your instructor about “common knowledge.”
• When you start taking notes and doing your research, write down the author, title and publication information with each grouping of information so you’ll remember what information and ideas have come from someone else.
• TAKE GOOD NOTES! Don’t cut and paste paragraphs or sections of information unless you indicate right away where those passages are taken from – so you don’t forget to cite them.
• Use italics or a different font or bold the information for your citation to make it easier to find later when you need to make your Reference page.
• Keep all of your notes until AFTER you get your graded paper back. They will help you answer any questions your instructor may have about your work.
• Try to use your own ideas, observations, and opinions as much as possible.
• When writing a paper:
  • 1st - Do your reading and think about what you’re reading.
  • 2nd - Form your own opinion and develop an argument to support your thoughts and conclusions.
  • 3rd - Write in your own words.
  • 4th – Use the words, ideas and opinions of others to provide support, examples and evidence to your argument.
• Give yourself enough time to write your paper. It’s easy to make mistakes or try to take shortcuts when you’re trying to do your work at the last minute or rushing to get a paper finished.

Why Shouldn’t I Plagiarize?

• Plagiarism is a form of theft. It can have legal consequences.
• Rather than plagiarizing, citing shows how much time and effort you put in to research your topic. It shows what you have learned about a topic, and it helps your reader understand what you have written.
• Doing your own work improves your research skills and helps you develop skills in analyzing, planning, organizing, time management and attention to detail.
• Plagiarizing can put your education and career at risk.
• To many people, plagiarism is viewed as morally and ethically wrong. A person who plagiarizes is often considered to be someone who can’t be trusted.

5 Rules for Citing Sources

Information adapted from:

Academic Integrity at Princeton “What is Plagiarism?” Retrieved from https://odoc.princeton.edu/curriculum/academic-integrity

Georgetown Academic Resource Center “Avoiding Plagiarism” Retrieved from https://guides.dml.georgetown.edu/plagiarism/avoiding

“How Not to Plagiarize” by Margaret Procter. Retrieved from Writing at the University of Toronto http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/using-sources/how-not-to-plagiarize

The Owl at Purdue “Avoiding Plagiarism” (2008) Retrieved from https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/teacher_and_tutor_resources/preventing_plagiarism/avoiding_plagiarism/index.html

Virtual Salt “Anti-Plagiarism Strategies for Research Papers” by R. Harris, 06/14/09. Retrieved from www.virtualsalt.com/antiplag.htm

Avoiding Plagiarism Handout