Plagiarism What Is Plagiarism? The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary provides this clear definition of the verb to plagiarize: to steal and pass off the ideas or words of another as one's own; to use another's production without crediting the source; to commit literary theft; to present as new an original idea or product derived from an existing source.-- Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary The Breakdown Plagiarism is… Copying and Pasting without quoting your source Taking a section of text changing a few things (paraphrasing) and passing it off as your own Lifting graphs, charts or statistics, etc. and not citing the source Asking someone else to write part or all of an assignment and passing it off as your own. Quoting a lecture, presentation or interview without citing Why Does This Matter? Plagiarism can cause you to receive a failing grade (On a specific assignment or in the course) You can be expelled from the University It is Illegal It is dishonest and unethical It will follow you for the rest of your career… Sticky Situations or How to Avoid Plagiarism Common Knowledge You do not need to cite information that is considered common knowledge For Example: I do not need to cite a source if I write that the Declaration of Independence was issued on July 4th, 1776. A good rule of thumb is that if you find the same information in 3 or more sources and it is not cited there, then it is common knowledge. Lazy and incorrect citations Don’t Be make up citations accurate TAKE GOOD NOTES PLAN AHEAD GIVE YOURSELF ENOUGH TIME FOLLOW THE CITATION STYLE FOR YOUR DISCIPLINE DEVELOP YOUR OWN IDEAS AND USE THE WORK OF OTHERS TO SUPPORT YOUR ARGUMENT WHEN IN DOUBT CITE IT! REFERENCES • "How Do I Know If I'm Plagiarizing?" Scribendi. Accessed March 15, 2018. https://www.scribendi.com/advice/how_do_i_know_if_im_plagiarizing.en.h tml. • Osborne, Mary Alice. "Plagiarism vs. Cheating: What Is the Difference?" LinkedIn SlideShare. November 19, 2008. Accessed March 16, 2018. https://www.slideshare.net/maryaliceosborne/plagiarism-vscheating-what-is-the-difference-presentation. • Plagiarize. (n.d.). Retrieved August 27, 2018, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plagiarizing • "Plagiarism | The Consequences Of Plagiarism." Plagiarism | The. 2018. Accessed March 16, 2018. https://www.scanmyessay.com/plagiarism/consequences-ofplagiarism.php. • Staff, EasyBib. "Why Do I Cite? When Do I Cite?" EasyBib. January 01, 2018. Accessed March 15, 2018. http://www.easybib.com/guides/citationguides/citation-basics/why-do-i-cite-when-do-i-cite/.