What Is Plagiarism?

Definition
Plagiarism is a form of cheating and is the taking of another's words, thoughts or ideas and representing them as your own. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, to plagiarize is to "steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as [your] own."

Plagiarism can be intentional or unintentional. Intentional plagiarism includes actions such as buying a paper from a Web site, copying an entire paper from another source, turning in someone’s paper as your own, or hiring someone to write a paper for you. Unintentional plagiarism is less clear.

Examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to the following:

• Using all or part of another's speech, paper or ideas as your own.
• Not placing a direct quotation in quotation marks. You have plagiarized if you use someone else's exact words or phrases and do not use quotation marks, even if you include a parenthetical reference or a footnote after it.
• Following another's sentence too closely. If you only change a word or two in the sentence, delete some words, or change the order of the sentence, you are plagiarizing, not paraphrasing.
• Placing parenthetical references or footnotes in the wrong place so that paraphrased material looks like your own idea.
• Rearranging the order of sentences or ideas from the original passage and presenting it as your own.
• Using a direct quote without citing the source.
• Using another's original idea without including a parenthetical reference or a footnote .
• Substituting words or rearranging the phrasing of a passage without indicating that changes have been made.
• Not acknowledging or documenting your sources.
• Using too much of someone else’s work. If most of your paper is made up of other people’s ideas and words, even if you cite correctly, it may be considered plagiarism.

Most cases of plagiarism arise because of poor citing and referencing. You can avoid plagiarizing if you know how to cite and reference your sources properly. As a general rule, remember that any time you use someone else's words or ideas, you should include a citation.

To help you better understand the issue of Plagiarism, work your way through this Online Tutorial, being used with permission from the University of Southern Mississippi Library.

How to Avoid Plagiarism?

As well as knowing how to cite and how to reference your sources, use the following tips to help you avoid plagiarism.

Taking Notes

Before you start taking notes from a certain source, write down the author's name, the article title, publication date, the URL and date of access (if you are using an electronic source) at the top of the page. Remember to note this information for each source that you use. When you begin writing your paper, this information will help you see which author made certain arguments. It will also help you to cite and reference your sources.

If you see a certain phrase or sentence you would like to quote in your paper, place the phrase in quotation marks in your notes. When you begin writing your paper, this will serve as a reminder that the phrase is a quotation, not your own words. Remember that not placing a direct quotation in quotation marks is considered plagiarism.

Give yourself credit. While you are reading and taking notes, you might think of a point you would like to argue in your paper. Write your idea down, but highlight it or draw a circle around it so that you know this is your idea and not something you read in another source.

Using Quotations

Before you quote, begin the sentence with the author's name or the title of the article. This indicates to your reader that you are about to use someone else's words and ideas. For example: Prejean argues that "capital trials cost four to six times more than ordinary trials."

Or according to the author of "Immigration," some groups "argue that immigrants erode the shared value system that defines America." If necessary, make sure you include a parenthetical reference or footnote at the end of the sentence.

• Place all quotations in quotation marks. If the quote is long, you may need to indent it. Check with your teacher or style guide to see what rules you should follow for long quotes.

• Use quotes sparingly. Only quote when you think using the author's exact words is the best way to make a point. Do not include long quotations because you need to submit a certain number of pages or words.

• If you need to include a quote within a quote (sometimes called an embedded quote) use single quotation marks ('...') instead of double ("...") to indicate that it is different.

• If you need to shorten a quote, use an ellipsis (...) to indicate that you have left words out. If you need to add a word to a quotation to make it clearer, add the word or words in square brackets. Be careful that you do not change the original meaning of a quote.

Paraphrase Correctly

Paraphrasing means taking facts or ideas from a source and putting them into your own words. Following another's sentence structure or words too closely is not paraphrasing. Remember the words and sentences should be your own and in your style rather than that of the author. If you are worried about following another's words too closely, try reading the source and taking notes only after you have closed the book or minimized the page. When you have finished writing, check your paraphrase against the original source. If you have used two or more consecutive words of the author's, place the words in quotation marks.

Before you paraphrase, begin the sentence with the author’s name or the title of the article. This indicates to your reader that you are about to use someone else’s ideas; for example:

"Prejean argues that capital trials are more expensive"; or, "According to the author of ‘Immigration,’ some groups believe immigration has a negative effect on the United States."

If necessary, make sure you include a parenthetical reference or footnote at the end of the sentence.

Check Your Citations

• Be consistent when citing. Include source information each time you quote, paraphrase, or use someone else's words or ideas.
• When you have finished writing your paper, go through it and check all parenthetical references or footnotes.
• Make sure that each parenthetical reference has a corresponding entry in your Works Cited or References list.
• Make sure that each footnote has a corresponding entry at the end of the page.
• If you are using endnotes, make sure that each note has a corresponding entry in your Notes or Footnotes page.

Remember that including false citation information is also considered plagiarism.

Online Resources for Plagiarism Information
Plagiarism - what it is, how to recognize it and avoid it.
Preventing Plagiarism - designed to help educators and students develop a sense of what plagiarism means.
Faculty Guide to Plagiarism - examine the issue of cyber-plagiarism and how to prevent, detect, and report it.
Avoiding Plagiarism - mastering the art of scholarship.
Plagiarism - instructional site to help avoid plagiarism
Plagiarism Workshop - features a variety of activities showing students what Plagiarism is.