How to Avoid Plagiarism

Have you ever copied a paragraph from the encyclopedia and then changed some of the words using your thesaurus? Taken credit for writing that was not your own? Borrowed a line and forgotten to credit the author? Plagiarism - whether deliberate or accidental - can get you in a lot of trouble.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Report Covers
• Printers
• Internet Access
• Bonded Paper
• Computers
• Word-processing Software

1. Know what you want to say before you write. Having a good idea of the content will make it easier to support your ideas.

2. Use multiple sources. If you consult only one, your writing may seem unbalanced and you'll be tempted to omit citations.

3. Remember that ideas as well as word can be plagiarized.

4. Add your own spin to paraphrased ideas, but cite the source if it's not your original thought.

5. Give proper credit to the author for absolutely everything copied word for word.

6. Learn how to cite sources in your text, footnotes and bibliography. Note all resources, including electronic ones.

7. If you're in doubt about any section of your work, put it through an online plagiarism checker. See the resources below for some good plagiarism defense sites.

Tips & Warnings

• See Related eHows for how to correctly cite sources.
• The word "plagiarism" comes from the Latin and French words for "kidnapping."
• If you get caught, you risk your reputation and the respect of your colleagues as well as the wrath of the writer whose ideas and words you stole.

Resources

• Copyscape
• Duplichecker

[tuzofreak]

on 8/11/2009 Thanks for explaining but how to Avoid?

[bhikkublu]

on 7/13/2009 Much appreciated :)

[jjmyles]

on 7/10/2009 Thanks for a very clear and concise description of what plagiarism is. All writers need to understand exactly what is and isn't plagiarism. It will help them avoid alot of headaches.

[rice]

on 2/7/2008 If you are using information gathered by someone else, consider what it is the original author is trying to say. If you find yourself in disagreement with the point, or you question its accuracy and potency, then chances are using it in your own writing will be a dead giveaway for plagiarism.

on 8/8/2006 If you've read a source that's particularly good, give yourself some time to separate from that source. Wait a little while before writing the information that you want to include, or else you might unwittingly use the exact same words of the original author.

If you have a large section from a source that you wish to use, look over it to find a smaller section that you can quote, and then use your own words to discuss what the author said. This will help what you say be (and sound) more original.

Most teachers, professors, and publishers want to hear your ideas anyway, not just a repeat of something someone else has already said.