Avoiding Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the
deliberate use of
someone else’s
ideas or
information
without proper
acknowledgment.
 Common Forms of Plagiarism
1) “Copying word for word from a source without
acknowledging the source by quotation marks
and an appropriate reference
2) Paraphrasing someone else’s ideas in your own
words without acknowledging the source by an
appropriate reference
3) Turning in as your own work a paper or
portion of a paper conceived jointly with
others but not giving credit for others’
contributions”
- Dept. of Speech Communication, Mankato State
Univ. 1998, p. 1, in Plata, Mirador, Dayag & Chua
(2002)
 In other words, PLAGIARISM is
a form of academic dishonesty. It
is punishable by some sanctions
(suspension, expulsion, failing
grade, etc). Since there are laws
that cover it, it is also a crime.
What needs to be credited/documented:

• Words/ideas in a magazine, book,

song, newspaper, TV program, web
page, computer program, letter,
advertisement, or any other medium
• Exact words or a
unique phrase
• Reprint of diagrams,
illustrations, charts,
pictures
• Reuse or repost of
any electronically-
available media
(images, audio,
video)
owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/01
• Information
from an
interview or
conversation
with another
person (cite
name, date,
place)
Bottom line:
Document
BORROWED
words, ideas,
or other
productions.
 No need to document the ff:
• Generally-accepted
facts
• “Common knowledge”
(ex: folklore, myths,
legends, historical
events (but NOT
historical documents)
 Determining what is “common
knowledge”

• Same info is undocumented in at least 5

credible sources
• If you think your audience knows the
info.
When in
doubt,
DOCUMENT.
 Best Practices in
Summarizing/Paraphrasing
•Use a statement that identifies your
source when you paraphrase or
summarize (Ex: According to Smith, …)
•Use quotation marks for unique words
or phrases that you borrow from the
original (Ex: “savage inequalities” exist
throughout our educational system
(Smith).
• Write the paraphrase/summary in YOUR
OWN WORDS! To avoid the temptation to
copy, write the paraphrase/summary
without looking at the original.

•Compare your summary/paraphrase against

the original for accuracy.
 Using Sources

• If possible, paraphrase or summarize

the passage that you need and then
acknowledge your source(s).
• If you must quote, try to weave the
quotation into the text. In other words,
lead into the quotations using your own
words.
Example :
Even the most objective report is
still the fruit of a person’s unique
mental process. As writing becomes
more personal, the investment is
heightened. Thus, as Jourard (1971, p.
59) comments: “Authentic writing is
risky.” We expose ourselves to
disagreement, rejection, or censure.
Key to avoiding plagiarism:
• Methodical and meticulous note taking
– Take down complete details about sources of
information, both primary and secondary.
– Make it clear in your notes if what you’ve taking
down is a quotation (use “ “), a paraphrase,
summary, or outline.
– To save yourself the trouble of locating the
reference in case you need it again, copy the call
number
• Recognizing your sources of information
Remember!

INTEGRITY
is the mark
of a good
researcher.