PlagiarismPlagiarismCreated by Emerson Wolfe, Librarian revised 11/2015Created by Emerson Wolfe, Librarian revised 11/2015

What Is Plagiarism? What Is Plagiarism?

According to the According to the Merriam-WebsterMerriam-Webster dictionary, to dictionary, to plagiarizeplagiarize is to "steal and pass off (the ideas or is to "steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as ... [your] own." Plagiarism can words of another) as ... [your] own." Plagiarism can be intentional or unintentional. Intentional plagiarism be intentional or unintentional. Intentional plagiarism includes actions such as buying a paper from a Web includes actions such as buying a paper from a Web site, copying an entire paper from another source, site, copying an entire paper from another source, turning in someone's paper as your own, and hiring turning in someone's paper as your own, and hiring someone to write a paper for you. Unintentional someone to write a paper for you. Unintentional plagiarism is less clear. The following actions are plagiarism is less clear. The following actions are forms of plagiarism, whether intentional or not:forms of plagiarism, whether intentional or not:

Not placing a direct quotation in quotation Not placing a direct quotation in quotation marks.marks. You have plagiarized if you use someone You have plagiarized if you use someone else's exact words or phrases and do not use else's exact words or phrases and do not use quotation marks, even if you include a parenthetical quotation marks, even if you include a parenthetical reference or a footnote after it. reference or a footnote after it.

For Example:For Example:

Original SourceOriginal SourceCritics of international adoption argue that there Critics of international adoption argue that there are better ways of helping children in poor are better ways of helping children in poor countries that do not involve taking them abroad. countries that do not involve taking them abroad. Providing financial support to children's Providing financial support to children's communities allows relatives and other local communities allows relatives and other local caregivers to look after them, opponents say caregivers to look after them, opponents say ("International Adoption"). ("International Adoption").

Plagiarized ExamplePlagiarized ExampleThose who criticize international adoption state Those who criticize international adoption state that there are better ways of helping children in that there are better ways of helping children in poor countries that do not involve taking them poor countries that do not involve taking them abroad. Providing financial support to children's abroad. Providing financial support to children's communities allows relatives and other local communities allows relatives and other local caregivers to look after them, opponents say caregivers to look after them, opponents say ("International Adoption").("International Adoption").

Following another's sentence too closely:Following another's sentence too closely:

If you only change a word or two in the sentence, delete If you only change a word or two in the sentence, delete some words, or change the order of the sentence, you are some words, or change the order of the sentence, you are plagiarizing, not plagiarizing, not paraphrasingparaphrasing. For example, . For example,

Original SourceOriginal SourceThe death penalty's critics say that there are too many flaws The death penalty's critics say that there are too many flaws in the U.S.'s criminal-justice system to validate a in the U.S.'s criminal-justice system to validate a punishment as irreversible as the death penalty. Innocent punishment as irreversible as the death penalty. Innocent people have undoubtedly been put to death in the past, people have undoubtedly been put to death in the past, they maintain, and there are likely many currently on death they maintain, and there are likely many currently on death row who did not commit the crimes for which they are row who did not commit the crimes for which they are sentenced to die ("Update: Death Penalty"). sentenced to die ("Update: Death Penalty").

Plagiarized ExamplePlagiarized ExampleCritics of the death penalty claim that there are too many Critics of the death penalty claim that there are too many errors in the U.S.'s criminal-justice system to allow a errors in the U.S.'s criminal-justice system to allow a punishment as irreversible as the death penalty. They punishment as irreversible as the death penalty. They maintain that innocent people have probably been put to maintain that innocent people have probably been put to death in the past and that there are likely many on death death in the past and that there are likely many on death row who did not commit the crimes for which they have row who did not commit the crimes for which they have been sentenced to death. been sentenced to death.

Placing parenthetical references or footnotes in the wrong Placing parenthetical references or footnotes in the wrong place so that paraphrased material looks like your own idea.place so that paraphrased material looks like your own idea.

Original SourceOriginal SourceOpponents of debt forgiveness, including the IMF and the World Opponents of debt forgiveness, including the IMF and the World Bank (an international loan agency), agree that the debt burden Bank (an international loan agency), agree that the debt burden on developing countries needs to be eased. However, they argue on developing countries needs to be eased. However, they argue that the total cancellation of their debts could have unintended that the total cancellation of their debts could have unintended negative consequences such as encouraging unsound government negative consequences such as encouraging unsound government policies. Debt forgiveness would teach those governments that policies. Debt forgiveness would teach those governments that they can borrow money whenever they need it, waste it or use it they can borrow money whenever they need it, waste it or use it for their own purposes and not worry about paying it back ... for their own purposes and not worry about paying it back ... Critics also argue that forgiving debt could ruin the Critics also argue that forgiving debt could ruin the creditworthiness of those countries in the eyes of lenders, making creditworthiness of those countries in the eyes of lenders, making lenders less willing to give out needed funds in the future ("Debt lenders less willing to give out needed funds in the future ("Debt Forgiveness"). Forgiveness").

Plagiarized ExamplePlagiarized ExampleCritics of debt forgiveness argue that allowing debts to be Critics of debt forgiveness argue that allowing debts to be completely canceled may lead some governments to believe that completely canceled may lead some governments to believe that they can borrow money whenever they need it and not be they can borrow money whenever they need it and not be concerned about repaying it ("Debt Forgiveness"). The concerned about repaying it ("Debt Forgiveness"). The cancellation of all debt may also ruin a country's credit and make cancellation of all debt may also ruin a country's credit and make lenders unwilling to lend funds in the future. lenders unwilling to lend funds in the future.

In the example above, the sentence "The cancellation of all debt may also ruin a In the example above, the sentence "The cancellation of all debt may also ruin a country's credit and make lenders unwilling to lend funds in the future" looks like it country's credit and make lenders unwilling to lend funds in the future" looks like it was your own idea and not a paraphrased idea. was your own idea and not a paraphrased idea.

Using another's original idea without including a Using another's original idea without including a parenthetical reference or a footnote.parenthetical reference or a footnote.

Original SourceOriginal SourceAs greenhouse gas levels have risen, so too As greenhouse gas levels have risen, so too has the world's temperature. According to has the world's temperature. According to researchers, average world temperatures researchers, average world temperatures have risen about 1° F during the past have risen about 1° F during the past century, a trend that has accelerated in century, a trend that has accelerated in recent decades ("Global Warming Update"). recent decades ("Global Warming Update").

Plagiarized ExamplePlagiarized ExampleThe world's temperature rises when the The world's temperature rises when the level of greenhouse gases in the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increases. atmosphere increases.

Using too much of someone else's work.Using too much of someone else's work. If most of your paper is made up of other If most of your paper is made up of other

people's ideas and words, even if you cite people's ideas and words, even if you cite correctly, it may be considered plagiarism. correctly, it may be considered plagiarism.

Plagiarism is a very serious offense in both Plagiarism is a very serious offense in both the academic and professional worlds. For the academic and professional worlds. For example, in May 2006, a Harvard University example, in May 2006, a Harvard University student had her novel recalled and her student had her novel recalled and her book deal canceled after it emerged that book deal canceled after it emerged that she had plagiarized passages from two she had plagiarized passages from two books by another author.books by another author.

Most schools punish plagiarists. The student may Most schools punish plagiarists. The student may receive a failing grade for the paper or the class. receive a failing grade for the paper or the class. Other schools will suspend or expel the student.Other schools will suspend or expel the student.

Most cases of plagiarism arise because of poor Most cases of plagiarism arise because of poor citingciting and referencing. Luckily, you can avoid and referencing. Luckily, you can avoid plagiarizing if you know how to cite and plagiarizing if you know how to cite and reference your sources properly. As a general reference your sources properly. As a general rule, remember that any time you use someone rule, remember that any time you use someone

else's words or ideas, you should include a else's words or ideas, you should include a citation.citation.

Example of Person Found PlagiarizingExample of Person Found Plagiarizing

Source:Source: Facts On File World News Digest Facts On File World News DigestIssue Date: Issue Date: May 04, 2006May 04, 2006 People in the NewsPeople in the News

A recently published first novel by A recently published first novel by Kaavya ViswanathanKaavya Viswanathan, , 19, a Harvard University undergraduate, was recalled April 19, a Harvard University undergraduate, was recalled April 27 by its publisher, Little, Brown and Co., after it emerged 27 by its publisher, Little, Brown and Co., after it emerged that the book, that the book, How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life,Got a Life, contained many passages apparently plagiarized contained many passages apparently plagiarized from two young-adult novels by from two young-adult novels by Megan McCaffertyMegan McCafferty, , Sloppy FirstsSloppy Firsts (2001) and (2001) and Second HelpingsSecond Helpings (2003). Close (2003). Close similarities between these two books and Viswanathan's similarities between these two books and Viswanathan's had first been reported April 23 by the had first been reported April 23 by the Harvard CrimsonHarvard Crimson, a , a student newspaper. McCafferty's publisher, Crown student newspaper. McCafferty's publisher, Crown Publishers, April 25 cited more than 40 such similarities, a Publishers, April 25 cited more than 40 such similarities, a day after Viswanathan admitted having copied passages day after Viswanathan admitted having copied passages from McCafferty's books, but in what she called an from McCafferty's books, but in what she called an "unintentional and unconscious" manner. Amid growing "unintentional and unconscious" manner. Amid growing evidence of possible plagiarism from other sources, Little, evidence of possible plagiarism from other sources, Little, Brown May 2 dropped plans to publish a revised edition of Brown May 2 dropped plans to publish a revised edition of Viswanathan's first novel, as well as a previously Viswanathan's first novel, as well as a previously contracted-for second novel. contracted-for second novel.

How Can I Avoid Plagiarism? How Can I Avoid Plagiarism? Taking Notes Taking Notes Before you start taking notes from a Before you start taking notes from a

certain source, write down the author's certain source, write down the author's name, the article title, the publication name, the article title, the publication date, and the URL and date of access (if date, and the URL and date of access (if you are using an electronic source) at you are using an electronic source) at the top of the page. Remember to note the top of the page. Remember to note this information for each source that this information for each source that you use. When you begin writing your you use. When you begin writing your paper, this information will help you see paper, this information will help you see which author made certain arguments. which author made certain arguments. It will also help you to cite and It will also help you to cite and reference your sources. reference your sources.

More tips:More tips: If you see a certain phrase or sentence you If you see a certain phrase or sentence you

would like to quote in your paper, place the would like to quote in your paper, place the phrase in quotation marks in your notes. When phrase in quotation marks in your notes. When you begin writing your paper, this will serve as you begin writing your paper, this will serve as a reminder that the phrase is a quotation, not a reminder that the phrase is a quotation, not your own words. Remember that your own words. Remember that notnot placing a placing a direct quotation in quotation marks is direct quotation in quotation marks is considered plagiarism. considered plagiarism.

Give yourself credit. While you are reading and Give yourself credit. While you are reading and taking notes, you might think of a point you taking notes, you might think of a point you would like to argue in your paper. Write your would like to argue in your paper. Write your idea down, but highlight it or draw a circle idea down, but highlight it or draw a circle around it so that you know this is your idea and around it so that you know this is your idea and not something you read in another source. not something you read in another source.

Using Quotations Using Quotations Before you quote, begin the sentence with Before you quote, begin the sentence with

the author's name or the title of the article. the author's name or the title of the article. This indicates to your reader that you are This indicates to your reader that you are about to use someone else's words and ideas. about to use someone else's words and ideas. For example, Prejean argues that "capital For example, Prejean argues that "capital trials cost four to six times more than trials cost four to six times more than ordinary trials" (225) or According to the ordinary trials" (225) or According to the author of "Global Warming Update," some author of "Global Warming Update," some groups claim that "there are scientific doubts groups claim that "there are scientific doubts about the nature, severity and causes of about the nature, severity and causes of climate change." If necessary, make sure you climate change." If necessary, make sure you include a parenthetical reference or footnote include a parenthetical reference or footnote at the end of the sentence. For more at the end of the sentence. For more information see MLA Citing in Text and APA information see MLA Citing in Text and APA Citing in Text. Citing in Text.

Place all quotations in quotation marks. If the Place all quotations in quotation marks. If the quote is long, you may need to indent it. quote is long, you may need to indent it. Check with your teacher or style guide to see Check with your teacher or style guide to see what rules you should follow for long quotes.what rules you should follow for long quotes.

Careful that you do not change the original meaning of a quote. Careful that you do not change the original meaning of a quote. See examples below. See examples below.

Use quotes sparingly. Only quote when Use quotes sparingly. Only quote when you think using the author's exact you think using the author's exact words is the best way to make a point. words is the best way to make a point. Do not include long quotations Do not include long quotations because you need to submit a certain because you need to submit a certain number of pages or words. number of pages or words.

If you need to include a quote within a If you need to include a quote within a quote (sometimes called an embedded quote (sometimes called an embedded quote) use single quotation marks quote) use single quotation marks ('...') instead of double ("...") to ('...') instead of double ("...") to indicate that it is different. indicate that it is different.

Modifying quotesModifying quotesIf you need to shorten a quote, use an If you need to shorten a quote, use an ellipsis (...) to indicate that you have left ellipsis (...) to indicate that you have left words out. If you need to add a word to a words out. If you need to add a word to a quotation to make it clearer, add the word or quotation to make it clearer, add the word or words in square brackets. Be careful that words in square brackets. Be careful that you do not change the original meaning of a you do not change the original meaning of a quote. See examples below.quote. See examples below.

Supporters maintain that under the pay Supporters maintain that under the pay system currently in place in most U.S. public system currently in place in most U.S. public schools, teachers have little or no incentive schools, teachers have little or no incentive to work hard, since they know their salaries to work hard, since they know their salaries will rise each year anyway. Merit pay will rise each year anyway. Merit pay rewards teachers who put the most effort rewards teachers who put the most effort into their jobs, advocates argue. Critics of into their jobs, advocates argue. Critics of the idea, however, say merit pay would the idea, however, say merit pay would create a significant amount of negative create a significant amount of negative competition between teachers, who ideally competition between teachers, who ideally should be working together to better teach should be working together to better teach their students ("Merit Pay for Teachers").their students ("Merit Pay for Teachers").

Shortening a Quote CorrectlyShortening a Quote Correctly Shortening a Quote CorrectlyShortening a Quote Correctly

"Supporters maintain that ... merit pay rewards teachers "Supporters maintain that ... merit pay rewards teachers who put the most effort into their jobs" ("Merit Pay for who put the most effort into their jobs" ("Merit Pay for Teachers"). Teachers").

Shortening a Quote IncorrectlyShortening a Quote Incorrectly"Supporters maintain that ... merit pay would create a "Supporters maintain that ... merit pay would create a significant amount of negative competition between significant amount of negative competition between teachers, who ideally should be working together to better teachers, who ideally should be working together to better teach their students" ("Merit Pay for Teachers"). teach their students" ("Merit Pay for Teachers").

Original SourceOriginal SourceBush's plan would use less federal funding by contracting Bush's plan would use less federal funding by contracting coverage from private insurers. Those private insurers coverage from private insurers. Those private insurers would keep costs low through managed care, a system in would keep costs low through managed care, a system in which recipients choose from a specified list of health care which recipients choose from a specified list of health care providers ("Medicare and Medicaid Update"). providers ("Medicare and Medicaid Update").

Adding a Word or Words CorrectlyAdding a Word or Words CorrectlyThe author states that "Bush's [Medicare] plan would use The author states that "Bush's [Medicare] plan would use less federal funding by contracting coverage from private less federal funding by contracting coverage from private insurers" ("Medicare and Medicaid Update"). insurers" ("Medicare and Medicaid Update").

Adding a Word or Words IncorrectlyAdding a Word or Words IncorrectlyPrivate insurers "would keep costs [incredibly] low through Private insurers "would keep costs [incredibly] low through managed care, a system in which recipients choose from a managed care, a system in which recipients choose from a specified list of health care providers" ("Medicare and specified list of health care providers" ("Medicare and Medicaid Update").Medicaid Update").

Paraphrase Correctly Paraphrase Correctly Paraphrasing means taking facts or ideas from another Paraphrasing means taking facts or ideas from another

source and putting them into your own words. Following source and putting them into your own words. Following another's sentence structure or words too closely is not another's sentence structure or words too closely is not paraphrasing. Remember that the words and sentences paraphrasing. Remember that the words and sentences should be your own and in your style rather than that of should be your own and in your style rather than that of the author. If you are worried about following another's the author. If you are worried about following another's words too closely, try reading the source and taking notes words too closely, try reading the source and taking notes only after you have closed the book or minimized the only after you have closed the book or minimized the page. When you have finished writing, check your page. When you have finished writing, check your paraphrase against the original source. If you have used paraphrase against the original source. If you have used two or more consecutive words of the author's, place the two or more consecutive words of the author's, place the words in quotation marks. words in quotation marks.

Before you paraphrase, begin the sentence with the Before you paraphrase, begin the sentence with the author's name or the title of the article. This indicates to author's name or the title of the article. This indicates to your reader that you are about to use someone else's your reader that you are about to use someone else's ideas; for example, "Prejean argues that capital trials are ideas; for example, "Prejean argues that capital trials are more expensive (225)"; or, "According to the author of more expensive (225)"; or, "According to the author of 'Global Warming Update,' some groups claim that there 'Global Warming Update,' some groups claim that there are scientific doubts about climate change." If necessary, are scientific doubts about climate change." If necessary, make sure you include a parenthetical reference or make sure you include a parenthetical reference or footnote at the end of the sentence.footnote at the end of the sentence.

Check Your Citations Check Your Citations Be consistent when citing. Include source Be consistent when citing. Include source

information each time you quote, paraphrase, or information each time you quote, paraphrase, or use someone else's words or ideas. For more use someone else's words or ideas. For more information see When Should I Cite? information see When Should I Cite?

When you have finished writing your paper, go When you have finished writing your paper, go through it and check all parenthetical references through it and check all parenthetical references or footnotes. Make sure that each parenthetical or footnotes. Make sure that each parenthetical reference has a corresponding entry in your reference has a corresponding entry in your Works Cited or References list. Make sure that Works Cited or References list. Make sure that each footnote has a corresponding entry at the each footnote has a corresponding entry at the end of the page. end of the page.

If you are using endnotes, make sure that each If you are using endnotes, make sure that each note has a corresponding entry in your Notes or note has a corresponding entry in your Notes or Footnotes page. Remember that including false Footnotes page. Remember that including false citation information is also considered plagiarism.citation information is also considered plagiarism.

UTEP sees increase UTEP sees increase in plagiarismin plagiarism

by Adriana Gómez Licón / El Paso Times

Posted: 09/08/2010 12:00:00 AM MDTPosted: 09/08/2010 12:00:00 AM MDT

With all the world just a few keystrokes away on With all the world just a few keystrokes away on the Internet, the Internet, it should come as no surprise that it should come as no surprise that cheating and plagiarism are on the rise at UTEPcheating and plagiarism are on the rise at UTEP. .

. .

"Students today don't have to go into a library to "Students today don't have to go into a library to do research. There is a sense that the Internet is do research. There is a sense that the Internet is a free site," said Catie McCorry-Andalis, assistant a free site," said Catie McCorry-Andalis, assistant vice president for student affairs. vice president for student affairs.

May Mendoza, a junior, said she thought about May Mendoza, a junior, said she thought about plagiarizing because she was under time plagiarizing because she was under time pressure. She passed on the temptation, though pressure. She passed on the temptation, though others don't. others don't.

"It crosses my mind, copy and pasting here," she "It crosses my mind, copy and pasting here," she said. said. "But they'll catch you." "But they'll catch you."

Total cases of dishonesty Total cases of dishonesty rose from 136 in 2007-rose from 136 in 2007-08 to 194 last school year08 to 194 last school year, according to records , according to records obtained by the El Paso Times through the Texas obtained by the El Paso Times through the Texas Public Information Act. UTEP's enrollment was Public Information Act. UTEP's enrollment was 21,011 in 2008.21,011 in 2008.

The most common academic offense at UTEP is The most common academic offense at UTEP is plagiarismplagiarism. . These cases went from 82 in the These cases went from 82 in the 2007-08 school year to 131 last school year2007-08 school year to 131 last school year. . Plagiarism is stealing someone else's writing, Plagiarism is stealing someone else's writing, ideas or work productideas or work product. .

At UT Austin, where 51,000 students attend At UT Austin, where 51,000 students attend school, officials reported 421 cases of academic school, officials reported 421 cases of academic dishonesty in the year 2008-09, according to the dishonesty in the year 2008-09, according to the student newspaper. student newspaper.

What some studies on the subject have What some studies on the subject have concluded is that more students view plagiarism concluded is that more students view plagiarism as something common, and not as cheating. as something common, and not as cheating.

A study released this year by the National Bureau A study released this year by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that of Economic Research found that some students some students did not know they were cheating when they did not know they were cheating when they copied material from the Internet. copied material from the Internet.

"Undergraduates are less likely to view plagiarism "Undergraduates are less likely to view plagiarism from resources that are available online as a form from resources that are available online as a form of academic dishonesty," the report stated. of academic dishonesty," the report stated.

Anti-cheating policies at UTEP include a tutorial Anti-cheating policies at UTEP include a tutorial on how to properly attribute sources.on how to properly attribute sources. But not all But not all students have to go through the tutorial, even if students have to go through the tutorial, even if they are caught plagiarizing. they are caught plagiarizing.

The The Office of Student Affairs typically disciplines Office of Student Affairs typically disciplines offending students by putting them on probation offending students by putting them on probation or giving them a zero for a tainted assignment. or giving them a zero for a tainted assignment.

In 46 cases of cheating in 2006-07, the university In 46 cases of cheating in 2006-07, the university took no action against students, records showed. took no action against students, records showed. At the other extreme, UTEP has suspended over At the other extreme, UTEP has suspended over 11 students for cheating since 2006.11 students for cheating since 2006.

Records showed that in most cases, cheating Records showed that in most cases, cheating students students received a zero for the assignment received a zero for the assignment or or exam in question. Other times, professors exam in question. Other times, professors dropped the students by a letter grade dropped the students by a letter grade for the for the class. class.

In a few cases, students had to enroll in an ethics In a few cases, students had to enroll in an ethics class or write a paper about what they did wrong.class or write a paper about what they did wrong.