Guide to Avoiding Plagiarism

WHAT IS PLAGIARISM?

Plagiarism is when you use the work or ideas of someone else in your own work without giving credit to the original source.

Some students may intentionally cheat by trying to pass a paper as their own work. However, very often, students may plagiarize unintentionally.

 

 

WHAT ARE SOME ACTIONS THAT ARE CONSIDERED PLAGIARISM?

According to the Online Writing Center at Purdue University, these actions are examples that may be considered as plagiarism by your teacher:

• If you buy, steal, or borrow a paper and turn it in as your own.
• If you hire someone to write a paper for you, then turn it in as your own.
• If you use a source too closely when you are doing a paraphrase.
• If you build on someone’s ideas without citing or giving proper credit.
• If you copy from another source without proper credit.

Note that teachers and administrators usually do not distinguish between accidental and intentional plagiarism. Both types are viewed as grave actions.

 

 

DOES UHD HAVE POLICIES FOR PLAGIARISM?

Yes. The Academic Honesty Policy (PS 03.A.19) in the UHD Student Handbook gives a definition of plagiarism as well as the procedures in place for faculty that suspect a student may have plagiarized or cheated on a paper. Penalties for plagiarism can include a failing grade (F) for a course.

 

 

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT PLAGIARISM?

On campus, you can ask your professor. You can also visit the UHD Writing Center (N-925). The Writing Center tutors can help with any stage of writing, including helping you avoid plagiarism.

On the Web, there are various sources of information for students to learn about plagiarism. These include the following:

The Lemonade Plagiarism Tutorial
Professor Sherman Dorn of the University of South Florida answers commonly asked questions.

Understanding Plagiarism (Indiana University)
Includes a series of resources as well as a test to see if you know what plagiarism is and how to avoid it.

Using Sources (Hamilton College, PDF)
An excellent summary of when to cite sources and how. If you want a good summary of the basic rules, this site is very helpful.