What is Plagiarism?

Definition of Plagiarism

• Plagiarism is the act of passing off someone else's words, ideas, or work as one's own without proper acknowledgement or credit.
• It involves stealing and presenting someone else's intellectual property as one's own.

Types of Plagiarism

• Verbatim Plagiarism: Copying and pasting someone else's work without quotation marks or proper citation.
• Mosaic Plagiarism: Blending copied phrases or sentences with one's own words without proper citation.
• Paraphrasing Plagiarism: Rewording someone else's work without proper citation.
• Idea Plagiarism: Presenting someone else's ideas as one's own without proper citation.
• Self-Plagiarism: Reusing one's own previous work without proper citation or permission.

Consequences of Plagiarism

• Academic Consequences:
  • Failure in a course or assignment
  • Suspension or expulsion from an academic institution
  • Revocation of a degree or academic credential
• Professional Consequences:
  • Damage to reputation and credibility
  • Legal action, including fines and lawsuits
  • Loss of job or career opportunities
• Ethical Consequences:
  • Violation of academic integrity
  • Unfair advantage over others
  • Undermining of original work and creators

How to Avoid Plagiarism

• Proper Citation: Use recognized citation styles (e.g. MLA, APA, Chicago) to credit original sources.
• Paraphrasing: Rewrite information in one's own words, but still provide proper citation.
• Quotation: Use quotation marks to set off copied words or phrases, and provide proper citation.
• Original Work: Conduct original research and create original ideas.
• Seeking Help: Consult with instructors, peers, or academic support services when unsure about plagiarism.