What is plagiarism?
Plagiarism is using others’ ideas and words without clearly acknowledging the source of that information. When the writer has only changed around a few words and phrases, or changed the order of the original’s sentences. When the writer has failed to cite a source for any of the ideas or facts.
Presenting another’s original thoughts or ideas as your own

Using another’s exact words without proper citation

Why is it important?

How can students avoid plagiarism?
To avoid plagiarism, you must give credit whenever you use

* another person’s idea, opinion, or theory; * any facts, statistics, graphs, drawings—any pieces of information—that are not common knowledge; * quotations of another person’s actual spoken or written words; or * paraphrase of another person’s spoken or written words.
1. Put in quotations everything that comes directly from the text especially when taking notes.

2. Paraphrase, but be sure you are not just rearranging or replacing a few words.

Instead, read over what you want to paraphrase carefully; cover up the text with your hand, or close the text so you can’t see any of it (and so aren’t tempted to use the text as a “guide”). Write out the idea in your own words without peeking.

3. Check your paraphrase against the original text to be sure you have not accidentally used the same phrases or words, and that the information is accurate.

Plagiarism Prevention:
Be authentic
*Develop a topic based on previously written material but write something new and original
*Rely on opinions of experts on a topic but improve upon those opinions
*Give credit to researchers while making your own contribution
*Follow a standard documentation method such as MLA or APA format

Things it could do to you academically:
Although plagiarism can be intentional or unintentional, both have consequences. A meeting with the VP of Students will be scheduled to determine an outcome
Receiving zero on the assignment
Failing the course
Suspension
Expulsion

Types of plagiarism:
*Plagiarism of Words- The use of another’s exact words without citing the author
*Plagiarism of Structure- Paraphrasing another’s words by changing sentence construction or word choice with citation. Paraphrasing while maintaining original sentence construction with acknowledging the source
*Plagiarism of Ideas-Presenting another’s ideas as your own without giving the person credit. Submitting a paper without citing or incorrectly citing another’s ideas
*Plagiarism of Authorship-Turning in a replication of another’s work. Submitting a paper that you got off the internet or from a friend and presenting it as your own
*Plagiarism of Self-The use of previous work for a separate assignment. Although these were you original words and thoughts, receiving credit for a previous assignment is considered cheating.

Pics & Videos:

Facts:
*A study by The Center for Academic Integrity found that almost 80% of college students admit to cheating at least once.
*According to a survey by the Psychological Record 36% of undergraduates have admitted to plagiarizing written material.
*A poll conducted by US News and World Reports found that 90% of students believe that cheaters are either never caught or have never been appropriately disciplined.

Last page reference: http://writingcenter.unc.edu/resources/handouts-demos/citation/plagiarism http://science.widener.edu/svb/essay/plagiar.html www.lib.usm.edu/legacy/plag/whatisplag.php http://www.plagiarism.org/plag_facts.html