Understand And Avoid Plagiarism

Become a Better Writer: Understand and Avoid Plagiarism
Gretchen F. Thomas
Liberty University

Abstract
This text explores plagiarism in a form that provides the reader a better understanding of the term. Although many have learned of plagiarism, many have not fully grasped in detail what the term means. Avoiding plagiarism is possible. After reading this text the reader will understand intentional and unintentional plagiarism, the importance of proper citations within the document body as well as the reference page, direct quoting, paraphrasing and expressing anothers ideas. Common knowledge and whether to over-cite or under-site also is discussed. Key words: plagiarism, paraphrasing

Become a Better Writer: Understand and Avoid
Plagiarism
What is Plagiarism? Depending on one’s level of education, this definition could bring about different responses. To the high school student, plagiarism could simply mean copying another person’s work and turning it in as original data. Although that is somewhat true, at an undergraduate and graduate level, a more in depth definition becomes relevant and necessary to avoid harsh consequences. According to The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (2012), to plagiarize means “the reproduction or appropriation of someone elses work without proper attribution; passing off as one 's own the work of someone else” (‘What is Plagiarism?’, 2012, para.2). Without knowing, anyone can plagiarize and suffer great consequences of doing so. In this text I will address why students plagiarize intentionally or unintentionally; the importance of citing sources properly; also specific details to be mindful of when quoting, paraphrasing and expressing a non-original ideas within a text. Finally I will address a rather confusing topic; whether it’s better to over cite or under cite when relating another ideas and an original. An assignment has to be turned in in an hour and a student needs three paragraphs to meet assignment requirements. In this scenario, students would easily copy and paste a few sentences here and there and follow that information with an original thought. Although the students’ intentions are to fulfill the assignment requirements, due to their lack of time preparation and lack of the use of in text citation, they have committed plagiarism. It does not matter if one fails properly cite information, whether intentional or unintentional, it’s against the law (Plagiarism Prevention for Students, 2008). However both intentional and unintentional plagiarism need to be avoided, doing so can be difficult when you are unaware.

Plagiarism.org suggests that students plan their paper by “consulting with the instructor and taking effective notes’’ (Preventing Plagiarism When Writing, 2012, para. 3). In doing so, there should be ample time to effectively and accurately complete each assignment. Whether citing with in a text or in a works cited or bibliography page, depending on the style of paper being written, it is important to properly cite all material. In text citations vary with the style of paper being written. When writing an APA (American Psychological Association) formatted paper, the Perdue Online Writing Lab (OWL, 2012, para. 1) suggests that in text sources be written in the “author-date” format. An example of this would include the following: (OWL, 2012) and (Jones, 1998). Citing this information in any way other than the “author-date” (OWL, 2012) format for APA also would be plagiarism. Correct citation lets the reader know where to find more about the topic, by directing them to a properly cited bibliography page. Within the bibliography page under the APA format, the author’s last name would be listed first, followed by their initials, (publication date). , title of work, and the page numbers the specific article can be found on. Although citing only first and last name may seem copacetic, any citation other than the required format would be plagiarism. For example, Henry Jones, (2012). How do birds fly?, 6, 6-15. Because this format is incorrect although the information is correct, the format is incorrect thus forfeits the validity of the citation. “Giving credit to the original author by citing sources is the only way to use other people 's work without plagiarizing” (Why Should I Cite Sources?, 2012, para. 1). It is imperative when citing, to be careful when merging original ideas and another sources’ material. When one does this, it is known as paraphrasing. To paraphrase means to “convey the information from the original source in your paper by rephrasing it in your own words” (How to Paraphrase, 2012, para. 1). This method allows the author to “commence their interpretation of the original reading into the written text, while transmitting the inventive author’s meaning” (How to Paraphrase, 2012, para. 3). An example of paraphrasing would be the previous sentence. In the event that an author finds it better to use a “direct quote” from a previously written source, one should follow suit and use proper citation and place the quote in quotation marks to avoid plagiarism. Furthermore students find it more difficult to decide what is considered to be common knowledge and what is not.
The general knowledge of cow lactation would be common knowledge. However, how the cow eats green grass and produces white milk is not obvious and would be known by a farmer or someone with an expertise in farm animals and their diets. The farmer would have more knowledge about the cow’s diet because of experience, therefore this topic outside of “cows produce milk”, would not be deemed as “common knowledge”. The Perdue Online Writing Lab (Deciding if Something is “Common Knowledge”, 2012, para. 1) defines common knowledge by stating;
…if you find the same information undocumented in at least five credible sources. Additionally, it might be common knowledge if you think the information you 're presenting is something your readers will already know, or something that a person could easily find in general reference sources. But when in doubt, cite;
…

This statement promotes the understanding of common knowledge as general information known without research. Within the “direct quote” previously stated, lies an important rule; “…when in doubt, cite” (Deciding if Something is “Common Knowledge”, 2012, para. 1). If there is any uncertainty concerning whether to cite or not, it would be safest to site to avoid plagiarism. That is not to say that it is safest to over cite. While over citing is an error (OWL, 2012, para. 1.), under citing constitutes the act of plagiarism. Any information obtained by a writer from any source other than one’s own originality needs to be properly cited. In summation, to know the signs of plagiarism helps one become a better writer.
To know that plagiarism is not just the act of cheating or using someone elses work as original information, but that any information presented as original, without citation, improper citation, improper paraphrasing, lack of quotations when quoting, under citing, or failure to properly express and incorporate someone elses idea; are all forms of plagiarism (Plagiarism Prevention for Students, 2008). To evade plagiarism, it is important to plan the paper, take effective notes (Preventing Plagiarism When Writing, 2012, para. 3), use “author-date” format when using APA in text citing (OWL, 2012) and proof read a final draft, to circumvent careless errors. Follow these guidelines and those outlined within this text to encourage better writing skills, which in time births better
writers.

Bibliography
Angeli, E., Wagner, J., Lawrick, E., Moore, K., Anderson, M., Soderlund, L., & Brizee, A. (2012, May 5). General format. Retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
How to Paraphrase (n.d.) Retrieved November 20, 2012, from http://plagiarism.org/citing-sources/how-to-paraphrase/
Plagiarism Prevention for Students (n.d.) Retrieved February 05, 2008, from http://library.csusm.edu/plagiarism/howtoavoid/how_avoid_common.htm
What is Plagiarism? (n.d.) Retrieved November 20, 2012, from http://www.plagiarism.org/learning_center/what_is_plagiarism.html
Why Should I Cite Sources? (n.d.) Retrieved November 20, 2012, from http://plagiarism.org/citing-sources/whats-a-citation

Plagiarism Paper Grading Rubric

Element | Points Given | Points Possible | Comments from Instructor | Content * Clearly define plagiarism. * Address why students plagiarize. * Discuss intentional vs. unintentional plagiarism. * Discuss the importance of citing with specific examples of improper citation and describe why this is considered plagiarism. * Discuss citing, direct quoting, paraphrasing and expressing another 's ideas. * Define common knowledge and whether it is better to over-cite or under-cite. * Minimum of 3 pages | 75 | 75 | You did an excellent job with the content of the paper. | Style * Citation of references in APA style * APA formatted (pagination, margins, title page, works cited page, etc) * Spelling and Grammar are correct * Sentences are complete, clear, and concise * Paragraph contains appropriately varied sentence structures | 24 | 25 | Good overall adherence to APA style. See minor corrections. | TOTAL | 99 | 100 | Grade: |