Keys to Avoiding Plagiarism
To avoid plagiarizing:
- Paraphrase the original text into your own words.
- Use quotation marks around text that has been taken directly from the original source.
- Cite every source of information you use in your paper unless it is common knowledge or the results of your own research.
NOTE: Information found on the web IS subject to copyright. Copying material from the internet is just as much plagiarism as copying from any other source.
Plagiarism Tutorials
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You Quote It, You Note ItCreated by the Vaughan Memorial Library at Acadia University, this tutorial suggests that researching ethically is also researching efficiently. You will learn how to avoid plagiarism and pick up some good research tips too.
Plagiarism and Citation Styles
Posted with permission from Bob Baker, Library Director, Pima Community College.
Plagiarism @ GT
According to the Georgia Tech Student Honor Code, plagiarism is:
"Submission of material that is wholly or substantially identical to that created or published by another person or persons, without adequate credit notations indicating the authorship."
Plagiarism may take many forms:
- cheating,
- copying information directly without providing quotation marks,
- failing to cite sources, or
- citing sources incorrectly.
Plagiarism, whether intended or not, can have serious consequences, including:
- Failing an assignment
- Failing a class
- Expulsion from the university
As always, if you need help, consult a subject librarian or consult the guide on the research process.
Plagiarism may seem easy, but your professor has tools to use to catch plagiarism. Don't risk your grades or academic career!
Real World Examples
Think plagiarism is just an issue for college students writing research papers? Think again! Check out these real world examples of celebrities being accused of plagiarizing.