How to avoid plagiarism
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The word “plagiarism” comes from the Latin
word for “kidnapper.”
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Keep careful notes when you research a paper,
making certain to jot down author, title, publication information, and
page number.
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Remember that you must document all
borrowed information. This includes quotations, paraphrases,
summaries, and facts and ideas that are not common knowledge.
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Never write the paper with the idea of
adding the parenthetical documentation “later.” This is a sure
prescription for inadvertent plagiarism. If you aren’t certain of
the proper format for a parenthetical reference, try this: Write a
number on each of your sources. As you write your paper, identify
borrowed material by putting the number of the source in parentheses,
placing the number as close to the borrowed material as you can. Then
go back after you’ve written the paper and put the documentation in
correct form.
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Be aware that changing an author’s words slightly
does not make an idea your own. You still must document the
source.
