Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a serious issue and every writer needs to understand what it is and how to avoid it.

Plagiarism is one aspect of academic integrity Being honest and truthful about your work. more + examples.... It means taking other people's work and using it as if it were your own without acknowledging the source of this work. The work can be any product created by an individual or group of individuals. So, works of art, photographs, music, writing, reports, research, and many other creative endeavours are examples of products which must not be copied without permission.

This does not mean that you cannot refer to these products or use small samples of them for comment, criticism, or in the creation of new works. But what is acceptable use is something you need to understand. In writing you need to know how to quote The actual words written or spoken and reported in a text - a quote is enclosed in quotation marks (parentheses) and should be normally be accompanied by a citation. more..., paraphrase To rewrite text in different words or phrasing in order to simplify or summarise the original text. more... , cite To write words spoken or written by another person and to formally declare the source. more... and supply accurate references A pointer to the source of information, normally formatted in a specific way in order that the reader may locate the source easily. more... to text from other authors which you have used in your own work.