The Advising & Learning Center
Ciletti Memorial Library, Lower Level
570-385-6140
Plagiarism
2
I.
What Is Plagiarism?
A. Intellectual and academic dishonesty
B.
Presenting another person’s words OR ideas as if they are your own, without giving credit to
the author
C.
Occurs when an information source is not properly credited or an impression of ownership is
given
D. Can be intentional or unintentional, ranging from omitting citations to submitting a paper you
didn’t write
II.
Why Is Plagiarism Bad?
A. Sabotages personal growth
1.
B.
Lowers self-confidence
1.
C.
Doing your own work should be viewed as an accomplishment.
Copying from someone else weakens your estimation of your own abilities.
Has long-term effects
1.
You can get into the habit of cheating your way through other aspects of your college and
professional careers.
D. Devalues a college degree
1.
E.
Hurts fellow students
1.
F.
Rampant cheating affects an institution’s reputation.
Those who cheat raise the performance expectations for other students.
Has serious academic repercussions
1.
It is a serious offense; at the minimum, you can fail that assignment. You may also fail the
course or even be expelled from the university.
G. Undercuts academic integrity
1.
It is still stealing.
III. Ways of Committing Plagiarism
A. Wholesale copying
1.
Copying word-for-word, without acknowledging the source.
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2.
B.
Paraphrasing ideas without acknowledging the source
1.
C.
If you acknowledge the source, but don’t use quotation marks for a word-for-word reference, it is
still plagiarism.
With proper paraphrasing, quotation marks are not needed, but a citation is still required.
Patchwork or “cut and paste” plagiarism
1.
“Patching” together ideas from different sources without acknowledgment
D. Incomplete citation
E.
1.
Occurs when the citation applies to only part of the passage. You must document everything you
use from another source.
2.
Framing a passage can correct this problem.
Misrepresentation of the original source
1.
F.
Incorrect interpretation of outside sources is also wrong.
Attributing your words to someone else or making up sources to add credibility to your work
1.
Students sometimes “create” sources or quotations to satisfy a requirement. That is
unacceptable.
G. Image plagiarism
1.
In addition to words, you must cite images, maps, charts, graphs, etc.
IV. How to Avoid Plagiarism
A. Basic approach to research
1.
Research a topic and become VERY familiar with it.
2.
Take notes in your own words.
3.
a.
Carefully label any quoted material and indicate documentation information. (That approach
will also save time for future use. You won’t need to track down sources a second time.)
b.
Careless note-taking is a major cause of plagiarism.
Have something you want to say about the topic.
a.
4.
If you have an idea to prove or develop, you are less likely to rely blindly on other people’s
ideas.
Use sources to support your ideas
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a.
5.
Allow yourself adequate time to complete your project.
a.
B.
When you are running against the clock, you start to take shortcuts.
More specifically:
1.
Provide documentation
a.
2.
C.
If you have an approach already in mind, you are more likely to use sources to
support your own points.
Must occur in two places: within the text (parenthetical references) and in a Works Cited or
References list
Use proper summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting techniques
What must be documented:
1.
Direct quotations
2.
Ideas of another person, even if they have been paraphrased
3.
Special words, terms, or phrases taken from another source (even if it is only one word that is
used in a unique way by the author)
4.
Anyone’s creative efforts (e.g. movie, interview, downloaded image or data, graphics)
V. Basic Documentation Styles
A. MLA (Modern Language Association): used in humanities
B.
APA (American Psychological Association): used in social sciences
There are numerous other documenting styles, so be sure to confirm with your instructor which style s/he requires.
1.
MLA
a.
Parenthetical in-text citation: author’s last name and page number (no punctuation);
placement at end of sentence, followed by period after parenthesis
1) Example: (Smith 72).
2) Do not include information in citation that is included in the sentence.
b.
Works Cited page: Author’s name (inverted order). Title. City: Publisher, Publication date.
Medium.
1) Example:
Smith, Ralph J. The Nine Lives of a Cat. New York: Printery, 2005. Print.
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c.
2.
This is the standard Works Cited entry format. Check MLA online guidelines or manual for
exceptions (e.g. multiple authors, editor, block quotation, online sources).
APA:
a.
Parenthetical in-text citation: author’s last name, comma, year of publication
1) Example: (Smith, 2005)
2) Add page number if citing direct quotation (usually at end of sentence) (Smith, 2005,
p.72).
3) Placement immediately after reference in sentence
a)
Example:
Smith (2005) notes . . . (p. 72).
4) Do not include information in citation that is included in the sentence.
b.
References page:
Publisher.
Author’s name (last name, initials). (Year of publication). Title. City:
1) Example:
Smith, R. J. (2005). The Nine Lives of a Cat. New York: Printery.
c.
This is the standard Reference Page entry format. Check APA online guidelines or manual for
exceptions.
VI. Incorporating Documentation: Summary, Paraphrase, Quotation
A. Summarizing
1.
You provide another person’s main points in your own words
2.
You must give credit.
3.
Examples:
a.
MLA format:
1) According to Ralph Smith, cats function best if they are introduced early to a specific
routine. This is especially true in regard to feeding times. That is why Smith considers
cats to be “creatures of habit” (72).
b.
APA format:
1) According to Ralph Smith (2005), cats function best if they are introduced early to a
specific routine. This is especially true in regard to feeding times. That is why Smith
considers cats to be “creatures of habit” (p. 72).
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c.
This summary has been FRAMED.
1) Check if your instructor accepts framing
B.
Paraphrasing
1.
You restate another person’s ideas in your own words
2.
You must give credit.
3.
Example:
a.
Passage:
1) In order to avoid a repeat of the Littleton, Colorado school attacks, we need to
recognize the effect that video game violence has on players. (Note: Author is Robert
Jones; published in 2005; information is found on page 17.)
b.
Paraphrase:
1) MLA Format
a)
A more serious consideration of how violence in video games affects behavior may
help to prevent tragedies such as the Littleton, Colorado murders from happening
again (Jones 17).
2) APA Format
a)
C.
A more serious consideration of how violence in video games affects behavior may
help to prevent tragedies such as the Littleton, Colorado murders from happening
again (Jones, 2005).
Quoting
1.
You use another person’s exact words
2.
You must give credit and use quotation marks.
3.
Example:
a.
MLA format:
1) As Ralph Smith, a noted authority on animal behavior, notes, “Cats are creatures of
habit, so remember to give your pet a sense of security by establishing a routine early
on” (72).
b.
APA format:
1) As Ralph Smith (2005), a noted authority on animal behavior, notes, “Cats are creatures
of habit, so remember to give your pet a sense of security by establishing a routine early
on” (p. 72).
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VII. Review
A. Why should you document your sources?
B.
1.
Preserves academic integrity
2.
Lends authenticity to your work
3.
Verifies information
4.
Provides source of the information so others can find out more about the subject
Points to Remember:
1.
When using more than three words in a row, directly from a source, you need to cite and use
quotation marks.
2.
No more than 15% of a paper should be directly quoted material.
3.
Common knowledge does not have to be documented.
4.
If you are unsure, cite it!
5.
Plagiarism is a serious matter. It could cause you to fail a paper or a class or even to be dismissed
from the university.
6.
0
VIII. Finding Help: Useful Websites
1. Penn State University Academic Integrity Policy: University Faculty Senate Policy 49-20e:
http://www.psu.edu/dept/ufs/policies/47-00.html#49-20
2. MLA Style Resources:
http://www.mlahandbook.org
3. APA Style Resources:
http://www.apa.org/books
4. Penn State Library:
http://www.libraries.psu.edu/research.html
5. Purdue On-line Writing Lab:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
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