Plagiarism

What it is and how to avoid it.

• Plagiarism is using someone else’s words, ideas or images as your own.

• Plagiarism is dishonest, unethical, and illegal!

• Read Student Guide to Avoiding Plagiarism.

What is Plagiarism?

Intentional vs. Unintentional Plagiarism

Intentional• Copying a friend’s work• Buying or borrowing papers• Cutting and pasting text

from sources without giving credit

• “Borrowing” media without giving credit

• Publishing on the web without the permission of the original creators

Unintentional• Using minimal or careless

paraphrasing• Failing to document or

“cite” properly• Quoting excessively• Failing to use your own

“voice” to present information or ideas

Consequences

• ZERO credit for work• Parents will be notified• Referral to administration• Note on permanent student record• Suspension or expulsion from school activities

including sports, clubs, field trips, extra-curriculars, etc.

• Could mean expulsion, depending on school

How to Avoid Plagiarism

1. DON’T copy word for word, or by copying and pasting.

2. DON’T print directly (and turn in as your own work).

3. DON’T copy from other students.4. DO take notes!5. DO paraphrase!

Quoting Directly is Acceptable!

1. Always put quotation marks around any words that you take directly from a source.

2. Always give credit to the source!a) In a bibliographyb) Or webography— (usually only online sources)

Paraphrasing

1. Reading a passage, learning what it means, and retelling it in your own “voice” or words is acceptable.

2. Always give credit to the source.

Use Common Knowledge

1. Info that is known to many people (George Washington was the first president. McCain and Obama ran for president in the 2008 Presidential Election.)

2. You do NOT need to cite Common Knowledge! ☺

Why Cite Online Sources?

1. Find source again to check information

2. Acknowledge your sources for ethical reasons

Remember: If you could find it, so can your teacher!

Citing Online Sources – Web Pages

1. Author’s last name, first name (if available)2. *Web page title—in quotes3. *Date Retrieved: Day, Month, Year4. Main Page Title (If Available)5. *URL: Web Site Address6. Date Published or Revised: Day, Month, Year (if available)

*Required!

It is OK to not memorize this list, but you need to be familiar with it and know how to find it so you can refer to it when necessary!

Citing Online Sources – Images

1. *Description of title of image2. *Label [Online Image]3. *Available at: URL (copy and paste from web

page)

*Required!

Images include any type of graphic, picture, map, or photo!

Citation Machine

An easy way to cite sources accurately!

1. Visit the Citation Machine site.

2. Use MLA format.

Resources

• Kagan, Jocelyn, and Susan Victor. "Plagiarism WebQuest." www.BucciTeacher.com. Mr. Bucci, Web. 18 Feb 2010. <http://www.bucciteacher.com/IS/plagiarism/plagiarism.htm>.

• "Plagiarism." University of West Alabama. Web. 18 Feb 2010. <library.uwa.edu/Help/Plagiarism.ppt>.

• "Plagiarism - Don't Do It!." Marcos de Niza High School Learning Resources and Technology Center. Web. 18 Feb 2010. <www.tuhsd.k12.az.us/mdn/Depts/Departments/lrc/plagiarism.ppt>.

• "Son of Citation Machine." Son of Citation Machine. David Warlick & The Landmark Project , Web. 18 Feb 2010. <http://citationmachine.net/>.

• "Student Guide to Avoiding Plagiarism." Education World. 2002. Education World, Web. 18 Feb 2010. <http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/TM/curr390_guide.shtml>.

• "What is plagiarism? (And why you should care!)." School District of Springfield Township. Web. 18 Feb 2010. <www.sdst.org/shs/library/powerpoint/plagiarism.ppt>.