Simone Lawson
Paraphrasing is a common practice in research papers, allowing writers to integrate others' ideas into their work. However, it can be a fine line between effective paraphrasing and plagiarism. Unacceptable paraphrasing occurs when a writer fails to acknowledge the original source of the information or ideas presented, whether through omission or inadequate citation. This includes changing only a few words or the structure of a sentence while retaining the original meaning, a practice known as mosaic plagiarism. To avoid unacceptable paraphrasing, writers must ensure they understand and express the ideas in their own words and provide proper citations, giving credit to the original author or source.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Failing to cite the original source | Unacceptable |
| Failing to identify the source of information | Unacceptable |
| Representing someone else's ideas or work as your own | Unacceptable |
| Copying a passage without using quotation marks | Unacceptable |
| Using only a few original words or changing the structure of a sentence | Unacceptable |
| Failing to express essential information in a new form | Unacceptable |
| Failing to use quotation marks for unique term or phraseology borrowed from the source | Unacceptable |
| Failing to smoothly integrate source information into the new text | Unacceptable |
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What You'll Learn
Failing to cite the original source
When paraphrasing, it is essential always to identify and cite the source of the information or idea. Failing to do so is considered plagiarism, as it represents someone else's ideas or work as your own original thoughts or creation. Plagiarism is a form of academic fraud and is considered a serious offence in the research community.
To avoid plagiarism when paraphrasing, it is recommended to keep track of the ideas derived from your sources and understand how your own ideas differ from them. Additionally, following a consistent and appropriate citation style, such as APA, MLA, or the Chicago Manual of Style, is crucial. This involves including in-text citations and listing the sources in the references or bibliography section of your research paper.
It is also important to note that even if you have correctly paraphrased a source, you must still provide a citation. Mosaic plagiarism occurs when you cite the original author once at the beginning of a paper and then return to their ideas later without indicating to the reader that you are still referring to the same source. This may give the impression that the subsequent paraphrases are your own original ideas. Therefore, it is crucial to provide clear and consistent citations throughout your research paper to avoid any ambiguity or misrepresentation of ideas.
In conclusion, failing to cite the original source when paraphrasing is unacceptable in a research paper as it constitutes plagiarism and violates academic integrity. By properly citing sources, you give credit to the original authors and ensure the transparency and credibility of your research contributions.
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Not identifying the source of information
Failing to identify the source of information is a common form of plagiarism. It involves using someone else's ideas or words without giving them credit. This can be done deliberately or accidentally, through carelessness or forgetfulness. For instance, you may forget where an idea came from and unintentionally present it as your own. This can be avoided by keeping organised notes and compiling a list of citations as you go.
Even if you have correctly paraphrased a source, you must still cite the original source of the ideas or information. It is not enough to simply change a few words or the order of sentences; you must clearly indicate that the ideas are not your own. This can be done by using quotation marks, indentation, or referencing, making it clear to the reader which parts are your own work and which parts are drawn from other sources.
When paraphrasing, it is important to have a clear understanding of how your ideas differ from those of your sources. This will help you avoid mosaic plagiarism, where you fail to adequately distinguish between your ideas and those of your sources. To avoid this, keep track of the ideas that come from your sources and follow the correct citation style.
Plagiarism also includes reusing your own work without citation, known as self-plagiarism. This involves rewriting a paper you previously submitted or reusing parts of a previous paper without proper citation. It is important to acknowledge the contributions of others, including fellow students, laboratory technicians, and external sources, that have helped shape your work.
To summarise, not identifying the source of information is a form of plagiarism that can be avoided by keeping organised notes, understanding the differences between your ideas and those of your sources, and following the correct citation style. By doing so, you can ensure that you are giving proper credit to the sources that have contributed to your work.
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Representing someone else's ideas as your own
To avoid representing someone else's ideas as your own, keep track of the ideas that come from your sources and understand how your own ideas differ. When paraphrasing, it is important to avoid using wording that is too similar to the original text, as this could lead to accidental plagiarism. One way to do this is to set the original text aside and write your paraphrase on a separate piece of paper without looking back at the original. You can then compare your paraphrase to the original to ensure that you have accurately conveyed the essential information in a new form.
Original text: "The Antarctic is the vast source of cold on our planet, just as the sun is the source of our heat, and it exerts tremendous control on our climate," Jacques Cousteau told the camera. "The cold ocean water around Antarctica flows north to mix with warmer water from the tropics, and its upwellings help to cool both the surface water and our atmosphere. Yet the fragility of this regulating system is now threatened by human activity."
Paraphrased text: According to Jacques Cousteau, human activity in Antarctica is jeopardizing a delicate natural mechanism that controls the earth's climate. He fears that human actions could interfere with the balance between the sun, the source of the earth's heat, and the important source of cold from Antarctic waters that flow north and cool the oceans and atmosphere.
In this example, the paraphrased text represents Cousteau's ideas as the writer's own by failing to attribute the ideas to Cousteau and not using quotation marks to indicate direct speech. To correct this, the writer could introduce the paraphrased text with a statement such as "As Cousteau argues," or use quotation marks around the direct speech and attribute it to Cousteau.
In summary, to avoid representing someone else's ideas as your own, keep track of your sources, understand the difference between your ideas and those of your sources, always cite your sources, and be careful not to use wording that is too similar to the original text.
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Using direct quotes without quotation marks
When using direct quotes, always enclose the author's exact words in quotation marks. This clear demarcation helps readers understand that the words within the quotation marks belong to the cited source. Failing to use quotation marks around direct quotes can mislead readers into believing that the ideas or wording are your own, even if you provide a citation. Thus, it is crucial to use quotation marks or other accepted formatting styles (e.g., indentation, line spacing) consistently to indicate the use of direct quotes.
The key issue is not just attribution but also accurate representation. Even with a citation, omitting quotation marks around a direct quote can imply that you are indebted to the source for similar ideas or a similar line of argument but not for the exact wording. By failing to use quotation marks, you risk presenting someone else's exact words as your own, which is a form of academic dishonesty. Therefore, it is always better to use quotation marks or other widely accepted formatting conventions to indicate direct quotes.
Additionally, it is worth noting that direct quotes should be used sparingly in research papers. The majority of your paper should consist of your own words and analysis. Excessive reliance on direct quotes can detract from the originality and flow of your work. So, while it is important to use quotation marks to indicate direct quotes, it is also essential to minimise their use and focus on developing your own arguments and contributions to the existing literature.
In conclusion, using direct quotes without quotation marks is generally unacceptable in research papers. To maintain academic integrity and transparency, always use quotation marks or other recognised formatting styles to indicate direct quotes. Additionally, strive to find a balance in your writing by using direct quotes sparingly and focusing primarily on your own synthesis and interpretation of the source material.
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Inadequate comprehension of the original text
When paraphrasing, it is crucial to have a deep understanding of the original text. Paraphrasing involves more than just substituting words or rearranging sentences; it requires a comprehensive grasp of the source material and the ability to express its essence in your own unique way. This means internalising the ideas and information and then presenting them in a new form that reflects your individual writing style and tone.
However, inadequate comprehension of the original text can lead to poor paraphrasing, which in turn can result in unintentional plagiarism. This occurs when a writer fails to acknowledge the source of their information or ideas, either through incorrect or insufficient citation practices. It is important to remember that even if you have correctly paraphrased a source, you must still cite the original author or source to avoid plagiarism.
To demonstrate solid comprehension in your paraphrasing, avoid simply restating the original ideas with different wording. Instead, strive to express the core message or argument in your own unique voice while maintaining the integrity of the original meaning. This involves more than just replacing words with synonyms; it requires a thoughtful engagement with the source material, allowing you to present the information in a distinct and accessible manner.
One effective technique to ensure you have a deep understanding of the original text before paraphrasing is to explain the gist of the text to someone else or discuss the concepts without having the original text in front of you. This way, you are more likely to express the ideas in your own words and avoid simply rearranging the original sentences or replacing words with synonyms, which can distort the meaning and result in inadequate paraphrasing.
In summary, inadequate comprehension of the original text can lead to poor paraphrasing, which can ultimately result in plagiarism if not properly addressed. To avoid this, it is crucial to have a deep understanding of the source material and express its ideas in your own unique and creative way, demonstrating your individual writing style and voice. By doing so, you uphold academic integrity and effectively convey the core message of the original text.
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Frequently asked questions
Unacceptable paraphrasing is considered plagiarism, which is representing someone else's ideas or work as your own original ideas or work.
When you do not acknowledge the source of the information or idea, even if it is paraphrased or summarised.
Always cite the original source and use quotation marks to identify any unique term or phrasing that has been borrowed exactly from the source.
Changing only a few words or the structure of a sentence is still considered unacceptable paraphrasing if you do not cite the source.
If you cite the original author at the beginning of a long paper, and then return to the author's ideas later without indicating this, it may still be considered plagiarism.
