Avoiding Plagiarism

Avoiding Plagiarism

Region 15 Plagiarism Guide for Grades 6-12

Students are often confused about plagiarism. By clarifying what plagiarism is, the forms it takes, and the techniques that can be used to avoid this illegal and unethical practice, plagiarism may be significantly reduced.

Definition of plagiarism: MLA Handbook defines plagiarism as “To use another person’s ideas or expressions in your writing without acknowledging the source is to plagiarize. Plagiarism, then, constitutes intellectual theft.” p. 30

What are some examples of plagiarizing?

directly copying another's work (in any format)
copying any direct quotation from any source without providing a credit for the quotation
paraphrasing of a borrowed idea or expression without documenting the source of the idea
giving incorrect information about a source of a quotation

Tip...
	*Know how and when to paraphrase, summarize and use quotations properly*
...For more information see...
OWL - Perdue's Online Writing Lab - Paraphrase: Write it in your Own Words: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/research/PDFs/r_paraphr.pdf
OWL - Perdue's Online Writing Lab - Quoting, Paraphrasing and Summarizing: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/research/r_quotprsum.html
Plagiarism: What It is, and How to Recognize and Avoid It: http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml#original
Turnitin - Research Resources - What is Plagiarism?: http://www.turnitin.com/research_site/e_home.html

How do you avoid plagiarism?
By giving credit to the source when:

using or referring to somebody else's words or ideas from a magazine, book, newspaper, song, TV program, movie, webpage, computer program, letter, advertisement or any other medium.
using information gained through interviewing another person.
copying the exact words pr a "unique phrase" from somewhere
reprinting any diagrams, illustrations, charts, and pictures
using ideas that others have given you through conversations or over email

Tip...
	Remember to cite ALL resources used (print, online, interviews, images, etc.)
...For more information see...
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, sixth edition (REF 808.027)
PHS Library Media Center Website Works Cited Guide: http://www.pomperaug.com/research/cite.htm
PHS Library Media Center Website - Citation Generators: http://www.pomperaug.com/research/citation.htm

When is it not necessary to give credit?
There is no need to credit when:

writing about you own experiences, observations, insights, thoughts, and conclusions about a subject.
using "common knowledge", folklore, common sense observations, or shared information within your field of study or cultural group
compiling generally accepted facts
writing your own experimental results

Plagiarism consequences:
Plagiarizing will result in a serious consequence as defined in the school handbook.

Created by Liza Zandonella, Library Media Specialist.

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