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Supplementary Material
Faculty of Social Sciences
Writing in Your Own Words
Writing in Your Own Words
Prepared by Peter Redman
Contents
1
Introduction
2
Writing in your own words: an overview
3
2.1
What is meant by ‘writing in your own words’?
3
2.2
Why is writing in your own words so important?
3
2.3
How to ensure that you have written using your own words
4
3
2
5
3.1
Writing in your own words: a worked example
5
3.2
Why is writing in your own words so important? Some further advice
7
3.3
4
Exploring writing in your own words in greater depth
How can you ensure that you have written using your own words?
Some further advice
8
10
4.1
Level 1
10
4.2
Level 2
10
4.3
5
What tutors are likely to do if they find material that is copied or closely paraphrased
Levels 3 and 4 and postgraduate study
11
References
11
NB: Please file this booklet for future reference.
Copyright © 2003 The Open University
2.1
SUP 74166 4
1 Introduction
At some point in their studies most students will have read or been told that they must write ‘using their own words’, or will have been warned about ‘plagiarism’ (that is, deliberately attempting to pass off someone else’s work as your own). The problem is that, particularly at the start of their studies or when returning after a long absence, students are not always sure what ‘writing in your own words’ means. Sometimes they are even unaware of the fact that they have copied or very closely paraphrased the academic material from which they are working. If you are a student who is at all unsure about these issues, then Writing in Your Own Words is for you.
Writing in Your Own Words has been produced by the Faculty of Social Sciences to help you get to grips with the sometimes difficult task of producing academic material that is based on a thorough understanding of your sources and which
Supplementary Material
Faculty of Social Sciences
Writing in Your Own Words
Writing in Your Own Words
Prepared by Peter Redman
Contents
1
Introduction
2
Writing in your own words: an overview
3
2.1
What is meant by ‘writing in your own words’?
3
2.2
Why is writing in your own words so important?
3
2.3
How to ensure that you have written using your own words
4
3
2
5
3.1
Writing in your own words: a worked example
5
3.2
Why is writing in your own words so important? Some further advice
7
3.3
4
Exploring writing in your own words in greater depth
How can you ensure that you have written using your own words?
Some further advice
8
10
4.1
Level 1
10
4.2
Level 2
10
4.3
5
What tutors are likely to do if they find material that is copied or closely paraphrased
Levels 3 and 4 and postgraduate study
11
References
11
NB: Please file this booklet for future reference.
Copyright © 2003 The Open University
2.1
SUP 74166 4
1 Introduction
At some point in their studies most students will have read or been told that they must write ‘using their own words’, or will have been warned about ‘plagiarism’ (that is, deliberately attempting to pass off someone else’s work as your own). The problem is that, particularly at the start of their studies or when returning after a long absence, students are not always sure what ‘writing in your own words’ means. Sometimes they are even unaware of the fact that they have copied or very closely paraphrased the academic material from which they are working. If you are a student who is at all unsure about these issues, then Writing in Your Own Words is for you.
Writing in Your Own Words has been produced by the Faculty of Social Sciences to help you get to grips with the sometimes difficult task of producing academic material that is based on a thorough understanding of your sources and which
References: Northedge, A. (1990) The Good Study Guide, Milton Keynes, The Open University. Oliver, J. (2001) The Naked Chef, London, Penguin. Redman, P. (2001) Good Essay Writing: A Social Sciences Guide, London, Sage in association with The Open University. 11 Printed in the United Kingdom by The Open University