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Avoiding Plagiarism and Citing Sources

What is Plagiarism?

When thinking about plagiarism, there are several important ideas to keep in mind:

  • Plagiarism can be the uncredited use of the words of another author.
  • Plagiarism can be the uncredited use of the ideas of another author.
  • Plagiarism can be the result of reusing your own work for an assignment.
  • Plagiarism can be the result of forgetting an appropriate citation.
  • Plagiarism can be the result of crafting a citation incorrectly.

Quick Tips: Identifying Plagiarism

Uncredited Use of Exact Words

  • This is what most people think of as plagiarism.
  • It is the copying and pasting the exact words from one resource to another without proper acknowledgement.
  • It usually happens when an author uses seven or more consecutive words from the original source without attribution.
  • It also happens when using a graphic or chart without citing the source.

Uncredited Use of Ideas

  • The use of another person's ideas restated without proper acknowledgement
  • Usually happens when an author summarized or reworded content from another source
  • Does not include proper attribution for the paraphrased content

Reusing Your Own Work

  • The use of your own previously published or submitted material for a new paper or assignment without properly citing yourself or the explicit permission of both instructors or publishing bodies
  • Often when an author forgets to consider the ramifications of reusing old material rather than creating new, updated material that contributes meaningfully to the scholarly conversation

Forgetting to Include a Citation

  • Intentionally or unintentionally forgetting to include a correctly formatted citation
  • Either in the body of the paper or in the reference list
  • Usually happens when the information to craft a citation is difficult to track down, or the research process has been rushed

Crafting a Citation Incorrectly

  • Leaving out important information that allows readers to quickly, easily, and accurately identify the resources
  • Usually occurs when an author relies too heavily on citation software without double-checking the actual citation style requirements.

Quick Tips: Avoiding Plagiarism

Uncredited Use of Exact Words

  • Add quotation marks around the material copied per current citation manual guidelines or a block quotation for material of 40 words or more.
  • Insert an in-text citation that includes elements required by your citation style (e.g. author name, the year of publication, the page where the material appears.)
  • Include a correctly formatted and complete end reference including all pertinent information about the resource needed by citation style guidelines.

Uncredited Use of Ideas

  • Insert an in-text citation next to the quote or paraphrased idea that includes enough information to find the resource as listed in your bibliography or works cited page.
  • Include a correctly formatted and complete end reference including all pertinent information about the resource as needed by current citation guidelines.

Reusing Your Own Work

  • Cite your original work as you would the work of another author you would normally cite.
  • Have a frank discussion with your instructors about their policy regarding the use of previously submitted assignments.

Forgetting to Include a Citation

  • Make sure all information pulled from outside sources is attributed in the body of the work.
  • Check to verify the information is attributed in the reference, works cited, or bibliography of the work.

Crafting a Citation Incorrectly

  • Double check that the in-text citation contains all of the information required by the citation style you are using.
  • Double check that the end references include all the pertinent information as prescribed by the citation style you are using.