Using Sources in your Work:
A Tutorial on Avoiding Plagiarism
GRADE 9
Agenda for Tutorial

Learn more about plagiarism.

Learn how to avoid it.

Pledge that you will not plagiarize.
The Shocking Truth
In a study of almost 4,500
students, 72% admitted to
serious cheating on written
assignments. Over half of the
students admitted they have
engaged in some level of
plagiarism on written
assignments using the
Internet.”
Source: “CIA Research.” Center for Academic
Integrity, Duke University, 2003
<http://academicintegrity.org/cai_research.asp>.
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Definition of Plagiarism
Plagiarism is:
•--To steal the words or ideas
of another person.
•--To pass off the words or
ideas of another person as
one’s own.
You Caught Me!
What is Intentional Plagiarism?
Copying a friend's work
Buying or borrowing written
work
Cutting and pasting text
without citation
Patchwork writing (cutting
sections from another
source)
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I Didn't Mean To!
What is Unintentional Plagiarism
 Careless paraphrasing
 Poor documentation
 Quoting too much
 Using someone else's
'voice'
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Definition of Plagiarism
Further:
It does not matter whether
the theft of words or ideas is
intentional or accidental.
Either way, it is plagiarism.
Why should you bother?
Four good reasons for citing sources in
your work:
• 1) Citing reliable information gives
credibility to your work.
• 2) Cheating is unethical behavior.
• 3) It is only fair to give credit to the
source—otherwise, you are stealing the
source’s ideas.
• 4) The consequences are severe—
plagiarism is not worth the risk.
Let’s look at some
hypothetical situations.
For each, identify if the
student used his or her
sources acceptably.
Jack’s Situation
Jack has an English paper due tomorrow. He
read the book and paid attention during class,
but he has no idea what to write about.
Jack logs onto the Internet “just to get some ideas
about topics for his paper.”
He finds a great idea and begins writing his paper
using the topic he found. He is very careful to
avoid copying any text or words from the
Internet article he found.
Is this plagiarism?
Yes
No
You must choose from the blue
buttons at the bottom of the page.
Read the situation and then choose
one of the options presented.
Click here to
return to previous slide
You said…
Jack did plagiarize.
You are right.
Jack’s actions constitute
plagiarism.
•Jack is committing plagiarism by taking
the ideas of the source without citing
them in the paper.
•Even though he put the ideas in his own
words, Jack is stealing the intellectual
property of the source.
You said…
Jack did not plagiarize.
You are wrong.
Jack’s actions constitute
plagiarism.
•Jack is committing plagiarism by taking the ideas
of the source without citing them in the paper.
•Even though he put the ideas in his own words,
Jack is stealing the intellectual property of the
source. You are wrong. Jack’s actions constitute
plagiarism.
•He could avoid plagiarism if he cites the source of
the ideas in his paper.
Jill’s Situation
During history class, Jill is asked to find
some background on Fidel Castro’s rise to
power.
Jill does a Google search and arrives at
Wikipedia’s article on Fidel Castro.
Without using quotation marks, Jill cuts
and pastes several sentences from
Wikipedia into her assignment.
Is this plagiarism? Yes
No
You must choose from the blue
buttons at the bottom of the page.
Read the situation and then choose
one of the options presented.
Click here to
return to previous slide
You said…
Jill did plagiarize.
You are right. Jill’s actions constitute
plagiarism.
•By taking the words from the Wikipedia
article, Jill is committing plagiarism.
•She can avoid plagiarizing if she quotes the
article in her assignment and includes an
entry describing the source in a bibliography
at the end of her paper.
You said…
Jill did not plagiarize.
You are wrong.
Jill’s actions constitute
plagiarism.
•By taking the words from the Wikipedia
article, Jill is committing plagiarism.
•She can avoid plagiarizing if she quotes
the article in her assignment and includes
an entry describing the source in a
bibliography at the end of her paper.
Gretel’s Situation
Gretel is a freshman who feels overwhelmed
by the high school. When her science
teacher assigns a short worksheet on
genetics, Gretel is confused and frustrated.
During lunch, Gretel “borrows” her friend’s
paper and copies the answers onto her
own paper.
Is this plagiarism?
Yes
No
You must choose from the blue
buttons at the bottom of the page.
Read the situation and then choose
one of the options presented.
Click here to
return to previous slide
You said…
Gretel did plagiarize.
You are right.
Gretel’s actions
constitute plagiarism.
•Even if Gretel’s friend gave permission
for Gretel to copy her work, it is still
plagiarism.
•Gretel is guilty of plagiarism. She tried
to take credit for the words and ideas of
another person.
You said…
Gretel did not plagiarize.
You are wrong.
Gretel’s actions
constitute plagiarism.
•Even if Gretel’s friend gave permission
for Gretel to copy her work, it is still
plagiarism.
•Gretel tried to take credit for the words
and ideas of another person.
So, How Does This Work?
Whenever you want to take information from an
outside source, you should use one of the
following 3 strategies:
Quote
Paraphrase/
Summarize
Y
You will
include a
citation after
each of these!
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What is a CITATION?
Tells the reader where the quote or
paraphrase originated.
(Author Last Name Pg#)
(Poe 9)
(Source Name Pg#)
(“Raining” 5)
There are two acceptable ways
to use sources:

Direct Quotation

Paraphrase
•Includes summarizing and
referencing the works of others
within your paper or project
#1 – Direct Quotation:
•What it is:
The exact words of an
author used word for word
in your paper or project.

#1 – Direct Quotation:
•When to use it:
The exact phrasing of
the source suits your
needs.
You are quoting a
character/narrator or
research exactly.

#1 – Direct Quotation:
•How to use it:
Copy the exact words of the
source, putting those words
inside quotation marks.
 Put a citation at the end of the
quotation indicating the page
number.
 At the end of your essay,
include Works Cited page that
lists your references.

#2 – Paraphrase/Summary:
•What it is:
Using your own words to
restate the source’s idea. This
could be a summary of the
source’s point, a brief mention
of the source’s findings, or a
longer restatement of the
source’s idea.

#2 – Paraphrase/Summary:
•Use paraphrase when:
The exact phrasing of the
source is too technical, too
wordy, etc.
You want to present the
source’s idea in a more
compact, focused way

#2 – Paraphrase/Summary:
•How to use it:
 Before the paraphrase, introduce the source.
This will show where the paraphrase begins.
 Use your own words to restate the meaning of the
source. This means you change words, structure,
and syntax. You do not merely substitute
synonyms for the source’s original phrasing.
 Put a citation at the end of the quotation indicating
the page number or source.
 Include a bibliographic entry on a reference page
at
the end of your paper or project.
When do I
need to cite?

This chart will
help you
decide what
must be
cited.
• It was created
by Robert A.
Harris in The
Plagiarism
Handbook.
So—the rule is:
If you created it,
you do not need to cite the
source.
If you did not create the
content, you must cite the
source.
The one exception to that rule is
for “common knowledge.”
You do not need to cite the source of an
unoriginal piece of information IF:
(1) an educated person should know the
information,
(2) it is a provable fact that could be found in a
general encyclopedia.
LET’S RECAP:
You don’t need to cite a fact.
For example: Ayn Rand wrote Anthem.
OR
Ayn Rand was born in 1905.
LET’S RECAP:
But you must cite the source of
opinions and ideas that are not yours.
For example: Dorothy Gale believed
that Anthem is an inspiring story (75).
OR
According to Joe Smith, Equality 7-2521
represents the human spirit (15).
LET’S RECAP:
And, you must cite any time you
use the exact words of the source—
even if the words are presenting
common knowledge.
To Kill a Mockingbird is a
“remarkable” book (Jones 5).
Think you’ve got it?
Can you tell the difference
between a direct quotation and a
paraphrase?
Click on the correct answer for
each of the following samples.
Direct Quotation vs. Paraphrase
Model #1
In his book on Google’s business
strategy, John Battelle states, “…Google
had more than its finger on the pulse of
our culture, it was directly jacked into
the culture’s nervous system” (2).
This is an example of
DIRECT QUOTATION
This is an example of
PARAPHRASE
You must choose from the buttons
at the bottom of the page.
Read the situation and then choose
one of the options presented.
Click here to
return to previous slide
Paraphrase
Sorry, no. You are incorrect.
The student did not paraphrase--she used a
direct quotation. The quotation marks give
it away:
In his book on Google’s business strategy, John Battelle
states: “…Google had more than its finger on the pulse of
our culture, it was directly jacked into the culture’s
nervous system” (2).
Direct Quotation

Easy, right? If you see quotation
marks, it is a direct quotation.

Any time you use the exact words of a
source, you must surround them in
quotation marks and indicate the
source.
Direct Quotation vs. Paraphrase
Model #2
Battelle’s argument is based on a memo
written by Google CEO Eric Schmidt.
The memo reveals that Google was
focusing its attention on corporate
marketing budgets (153).
This is an example of
DIRECT QUOTATION
This is an example of
PARAPHRASE
You must choose from the green
buttons at the bottom of the page.
Read the situation and then choose
one of the options presented.
Click here to
return to previous slide
Paraphrase
Good job! Sample #2 was a
paraphrase.
Anytime a student rewrites a source’s
idea into his or her own words, the user
must give the source credit. This is
paraphrasing.
Direct Quotation
No. Read it again:
Battelle’s argument is based on a memo written by Google CEO
Eric Schmidt. The memo reveals that Google was focusing its
attention on corporate marketing budgets (153).
That example is a paraphrase.
You should know because the student did
not include quotation marks; she rephrased
the original into her own written style; and
she cited the source.
Direct Quotation vs. Paraphrase
Model #3
As he explains the importance of choosing the
best searchable keywords to allow others to find a
website, Battelle presents a comparison to the
Greek story of The Odyssey: “Is [being known to
a wide audience] not what every person longs
for—what Odysseus chose over Kalypso’s
nameless immortality—to die, but to be known
forever?” (284).
This is an example of
DIRECT QUOTATION
This is an example of
PARAPHRASE
You must choose from the green
buttons at the bottom of the page.
Read the situation and then choose
one of the options presented.
Click here to
return to previous slide
Paraphrase

You are incorrect. The example was a
direct quotation. Look at it again:
In explaining the importance of searchable functions,
Battelle reveals his insight into the heart of mankind,
“Is that not what every person longs for—what Odysseus
chose over Kalypso’s nameless immortality—to die, but
to be known forever?” (284).

The student included quotation marks,
indicating that he used the exact words of
the original source. Therefore, it is a
direct quotation.
Direct Quotation
Correct!
 The use of the exact words of the
source makes it a direct quotation.
 The student shows readers that it is a
direct quotation by using quotation
marks.
 Additionally, he provides information
to help the reader identify the source.

So, you know the
difference between a
direct quotation and a
paraphrase…
Now what?
So, let’s check to see that you
understand when you need to cite
the source and when you don’t…
Answer the following questions and
choose the correct answer.
Test Case #1
Jack isn’t sure if he needs to cite the source of the
information below. He found the fact online.
“Abraham Lincoln was our 16th president.”
What do you think? What should Jack do? Pick one of
the answers below.
Cite the source.
This means he will:
(1) Either:
a) Surround with quotation marks, or
b) Put the quotation into his own words,
changing the syntax, structure,
& organization
(2) Include a lead-in giving the source’s name,
(3) Give the page number, and
(4) List the source in a bibliography
Do not cite the
source.
This means that the information is a
commonly reported fact. It is generally
known and available from many sources.
(1) Jack should verify the information in at
least two sources, then
(2) Jack will write the well-known
information in his own words.
You must choose from the buttons
at the bottom of the page.
Read the situation and then choose
one of the options presented.
Click here to
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You are incorrect.
In this case,
citation is not necessary.


Jack does not need to cite the source
of quote the information because it is
general knowledge.
Because Abraham Lincoln’s status as
the 16th President of the US is a fact
that is verifiable in many places, Jack
can use the information without
citation.
You are correct!
Jack does not need to cite this
information.


Jack does not need to cite the source
of quote the information because it is
general knowledge.
Because Abraham Lincoln’s status as
the 16th President of the US is a fact
that is verifiable in many places, Jack
can use the information without
citation.
Test Case #2
In her paper on Affirmative Action, Jill found one source
explaining that Affirmative Action “evens the field of play by
wreaking equity on all players.”
In her paper, Jill uses the phrase “wreaking equity” but she puts
all the other parts of the source into her own words.
What should Jill do? Pick one of the answers below.
Cite the source.
Not cite the source.
This means she will:
(1) Either:
a) Surround with quotation marks, or
b) Put the quotation into her own words,
changing the syntax, structure,
& organization
This means that the information is generally
known and available from multiple sources.
(2) Include a lead-in giving the source’s name,
(2) Jill will write the well-known
information in his own words.
(3) Give the page number, and
(4) List the source in a bibliography
(1) Jill should verify the information in at
least two sources, then
(3) Jill should make a bibliographic citation
for use on her Works Consulted page.
You must choose from the buttons
at the bottom of the page.
Read the situation and then choose
one of the options presented.
Click here to
return to previous slide
You are correct!
Jill must cite this information.


Jill needs to cite the source of the
paraphrase because the idea belongs
to the source.
Further, because Jill uses the unique
phrase “wreaking equity,” she must
include that phrase in quotation
marks, indicating that it is a direct
quotation from the source.
You are incorrect.
In this case, citation is necessary.


Jill needs to cite the source of the
paraphrase because the idea belongs
to the source.
Further, because Jill uses the unique
phrase “wreaking equity,” she must
include that phrase in quotation
marks, indicating that it is a direct
quotation from the source.
Test Case #3
Gretel found a very helpful article in an online
database. She very carefully made sure that she
rewrote the content of the article using her own
personal style; she changed the author’s syntax and
organization so that it fit seamlessly into her paper.
What should Gretel do?
Cite the source.
Not cite the source.
This means she will:
(1) Either:
a) Surround with quotation marks, or
b) Put the quotation into his own words,
changing the syntax, structure,
& organization
This means that the information is generally
known and available from multiple sources.
(2) Include a lead-in giving the source’s name,
(2) Gretel will write the well-known
information in his own words.
(3) Give the page number, and
(4) List the source in a bibliography
(1) Gretel should verify the information in at
least two sources, then
(3) Gretel must include a bibliographic citation
on her Works Consulted page.
You must choose from the buttons
at the bottom of the page.
Read the situation and then choose
one of the options presented.
Click here to
return to previous slide
You are correct.
In this case, citation is required.


Gretel paraphrases the source’s idea
and content. She must give credit to
the source.
She must provide her audience with
the source of the idea that she
borrowed.
You are incorrect!
Gretel must cite the source of this
information, even though she put it
in her own words.


Gretel paraphrases the ideas of the
source, so she must cite the identity
of the source.
Gretel must provide her audience
with the source of the material that
she borrowed.
So, you can identify what
must have a citation…
Now you need to practice.
“We’re talking about
practice.” -- Iverson
Final Directions:




Your teacher has a short open-notes quiz for
you to take on the subject of plagiarism.
At the end of the quiz is an honor code
statement. You will sign it in order to verify that
you have received this training.
You will then have your parent sign the honor
code.
Your English teacher will collect these signed
forms.
Sources Cited
Harris, Robert A. The Plagiarism
Handbook: Strategies for Preventing,
Detecting, and Dealing with
Plagiarism. Pyrczak Publishing: Los
Angeles, 2001.
Works Consulted
DeSena, Laura Hennessey. Preventing Plagiarism:
Tips and Techniques. National Council of
Teachers of English: Urbana, IL, 2007.
Valenza, Joyce Kasman. “What is Plagiarism? (And
Why You Should Care).” Springfield High School
Media Center Information Literacy Lessons.
Springfield School District.
End of presentation.

If you have questions or suggestions,
please see your teacher or e-mail
Ms. Kramer (mkramer@mtlsd.net)
or Mrs. Miller (shmiller@mtlsd.net),
the creators of this presentation.