what is plagiarism?

WHAT IS PLAGIARISM?

Plagiarism is the use of another’s original words or ideas as though they were your own.

Any time you borrow something developed or created by someone else and do not give that person proper credit, you have committed plagiarism.

PLAGIARISM

When writing a research in college, you will be required to find resources about your topic, include them in your paper, and cite them properly.

If you do not use and cite sources properly, then you will have committed plagiarism and also failed to complete your assignment.

Develop good research habits.

As you are doing research, write down what you will need later for a proper citation.

If you copy something word-for-word in your notes, enclose this information in quotation marks and immediately write down the source.


When paraphrasing, read the material, then close the book or cover the text, and then try to write the information in your own words.

Don’t paraphrase by just rearranging text or changing a few words.


Don’t “copy and paste” from the Internet directly into your document.

It is easy to forget later where you found the information and its source.

Each of these techniques requires that you give credit for the information source used:

A direct quote contains the exact words of the original source, and it must be enclosed in quotation marks. Quotations may include words, phrases or sentences.

A DIRECT QUOTATION

Paraphrasing is based on the source material, but it is restated in your own words and style. The paraphrased material is about the same size as the original.


PARAPHRASING

A summary includes just the main points of the source material, and it is also written in your own words. A summary is usually shorter in length than the original.


SUMMARY

Reasons other than plagiarism for citing the sources you have used in your paper:

You will provide support for claims or add credibility. Part of the assignment of a research paper is to require you to locate and study what other people have written about the subject.

You will show how the work of others leads up to the work you put into your paper, and you will show where you obtained your information.


By giving examples of several points of view on a subject, you will show that you have researched the topic and that you recognize that there are different opinions about it.


You will call attention to a position that you wish to agree or disagree with.


Collect the information needed to properly cite a source when you are performing research. Don’t wait until you are writing your paper to look for the information you will need to prepare a proper citation.

REMEMBER

One of the best ways to prepare for a research paper is by taking thorough notes from all your sources, so that you will the information needed to prepare a proper citation.

Poor note-taking can lead to many problems including improper citations and misquotations.

Students are often sloppy about writing down information about their sources.

When it comes time to write the paper, they are unable to give proper credit for their source. Students need to keep track of the sources of the material they want to use.

Learning how to handle reference material is an important part of the assignment.

SGTC Policy on Academic Honesty

SGTC is strongly committed to maintaining and developing a high standard of work ethic. For this reason, the College condemns academic dishonesty, including, but not limited to the following: cheating, plagiarism or other appropriation of other’s work as your own, and falsifying records or assignments.

Discipline for academic dishonesty involving work in a specific course shall be determined by the instructor of that course. The discipline may include failure of the assignment or project, or it may include failure of the course.

South Georgia Technical College Student Handbook and Catalog 2015-2016, pp 27-28.

YOU CAN GET INTO TROUBLE FOR COMMITING PLAGIARISM.

AVOID PLAGIARISM

CITE YOUR SOURCES

what is plagiarism?

Education