Module 1. Defining Plagiarism

There are different ways that plagiarism can occur. Plagiarism happens when:?

  • Copyrighted text, images or music are used without referencing the publisher or owner.
     
  • The words of another are stated without given him or her credit for them.
     
  • The ideas of another are presented without giving him or her credit for them.
     
  • A paper or project is submitted for a grade that has been borrowed or purchased from another.

In summary, plagiarism refers to using the ideas, words or creations or another person without properly giving the owner credit and citing the source from which you took them. Sometimes plagiarism is intentional--like purchasing or borrowing papers and putting your name on it or providing false attributions or citations. But, sometimes plagiarism is due to a lack of diligence. Incomplete references to sources, for example is also plagiarism. Regardless of whether the intention, the violation is the same and the possible penalties as well.

 

Additional Resources:

"Sources" The University of Dartmouth (last accessed 8/31/09).
"Plagiarism" The University of North Carolina Writing Center (last accessed 8/1/07).
"What Is Plagiarsim?" Mantex, Inc. (last accessed 8/01/07).

this lesson was developed and designed by Amanda Lindsay and last updated on 08/30/2009 11:33 PM by Phoebe Morgan