How to Avoid Plagiarizing ~ MMTC Virtual Library

Miller-Motte Technical College

Library

TIPS TO AVOID PLAGIARISM

PAGE MENU

RELATED PAGES

Do Research for a Paper

Get Writing Help

TURNITIN.COM

You paper is due, time is short... The Internet is a big time saver, but it also can tempt you

to cut a few corners to get that paper finished. After all, do a few borrowed words matter? Well,

yes, they do. So, before you start grabbing a sentence here or a paragraph there, think about the

consequences.If you use somebody else's work--whether a short phrase or an entire paper--

you risk a failing grade or even expulsion. Here are a few simple steps you can take to make sure you're not plagiarizing.

FIRST -- KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO PLAGIARIZE

If you're doing any of these, you're plagiarizing:

- Copying phrases, sentences or paragraphs from somebody's work into your paper without quotation marks and without citing the source

- Changing words in a phrase, sentence or paragraph and pretending that you wrote it

- Turning in an old paper you already wrote for a different class

- Using somebody else's paper, whether you got it from a friend or you bought it

- Downloading, saving or printing an article, changing a few things and pretending that you wrote it

- Using the citations or bibliography from somebody else's paper

- Copying a copyrighted picture, image or graphic into your paper without permission and without citing the source

- Using information from an interview or discussion in your paper without citing the source

NEXT, MAKE A PLAN

The best way to avoid plagiarism is to plan ahead. When you get your assignment, make a timeline for when you need to finish your research, finish writing, and finish the bibliography. List books, Web sites and databases you'll need. Use these tips for recognizing good information.

If you need help or are not sure where to start, ask at the Library Desk.

TAKE NOTES

When you start your research, write down all the sources you've used, whether they're from a book, magazine, or online. You'll need at least the title, author, publisher, publication date, Web site address (URL), and maybe a few other items. See if your instructor requires MLA or APA format so you know what's required.

Many of us cut-and-paste from a Web site or print only sections from an article. If you're doing either of these, then:

1) Include the Web site title, page title, author, date,

organization sponsoring the site, and date you viewed the Web

page so you can cite it later;

2) Quote and cite everything you've taken directly from the Web

site and used in your paper.

BIG TIP!

When you use Infotrac to do research, you'll find an already formatted citation for you to use at the end of every article! Get the password in the MMTC Library.

Need more citation help?

Use these Web sites.

ANOTHER BIG TIP! Google is not a source, don't cite it. Instead cite the source that Google helped you find.

DON'T PROCRASTINATE

The earlier you start, the easier you're life will be and the less likely you will feel pressure to take short cuts. For more help, check out these tips.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

OWL Writing Lab Tips on Avoiding Plagiarism

You Quote It, You Note It (Acadia University) - Interactive tutorial on plagiarism

Watch a Short Video Giving Tips on Avoiding Plagiarism

ASK QUESTIONS

If you have any questions about plagiarism or doing research for your assignment, please ask at the Library Desk.

We're here to help!