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Plagiarism: Home

What is plagiarism and how to avoid it.

What is Plagiarism

Dictionary.com defines plagiarism as "an act or instance of using or closely imitating the language and thoughts of another author without authorization and the representation of that author's work as one's own, as by not crediting the original author."

Plagiarism can be either purposeful or accidental because you do not understand when or how to give credit. 

Examples include direct quotations without quotation marks or citations, summarizing or paraphrasing someone else's documents without citing, or turning in a paper written by someone else partially or entirely.

Critical Thinker Academy. “Avoiding Plagiarism: What Do I Need to Cite?” YouTube, uploaded by Kevin deLaplante, 16 Mar. 2010, youtu.be/atTRlg6iaGo.

 

Why is Plagiarism Wrong

Plagiarism is wrong on many levels, but it is basically theft!

  • Students need to learn and develop their abilities on their own.  Using someone else's work does not allow this.
  • In their future professions, many will need these abilities and knowledge to adequately serve their patrons, like nurses and electricians.
  • The original producer of the work had to labor to create their paper or project.  It is wrong that they not be given credit.
  • An instructor is deceived if they wrongly believe a student submitted their own work and it was really someone else's.
  • Academic work depends on integrity and is worthless without it!

How to Avoid

  • Do not procrastinate, allow plenty of time to adequately research and write your paper.
  • Keep a working journal or note page listing every place you acquired information and pertinent information like the URL, author's name, title, etc.
  • Learn the proper method of citation depending on your course or subject.  The Online Writing Laboratory (OWL) at Perdue University has wonderful resources pages on both major citation styles, MLA and APA.
  1. OWL MLA Guide
  2. OWL APA Guide

Contact a Librarian by Email

The library will reply to all after hours requests for assistance by 9:00 AM the next day of regular library operation.

librarystaff@snead.edu

Margaret Story Library at Snead State Community College (Story Admin Building - Room 105) - Hours: M-Th: 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM / Fr: 7:30 AM- 12:00 Noon - Phone: (256) 840-4173