Simone Lawson
Plagiarism is a serious academic and professional offense that involves the appropriation of another person's ideas, processes, results, or words without proper attribution. It is essential to understand what constitutes plagiarism to avoid it and maintain academic integrity. There are various forms of plagiarism, and it is important to recognize them to ensure original and properly credited work. Understanding what does not constitute plagiarism is equally important to avoid false accusations and promote fair academic practices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Paraphrasing | Acceptable, provided the source is cited and quoted material doesn't exceed a certain amount |
| Common Knowledge | Information that is widely known and accepted as fact doesn't need to be cited |
| Public Domain | Works that are not protected by intellectual property laws and are free to use without attribution |
| Original Ideas | Unique thoughts, expressions, and creations are not plagiarism |
| Independent Creation | If two people create similar works independently without knowledge of the other's work, it isn't considered plagiarism |
| Permitted by License | Some works are licensed to be used and adapted without needing to cite the original |
| Fair Use | Using small portions of a work for criticism, review, news reporting, teaching, or research may fall under fair use and not be considered plagiarism |
| Collaboration | When multiple people contribute to a work, it is important to credit all collaborators to avoid plagiarism |
| Self-Plagiarism | Reusing significant portions of your own previous work without citing it can still be considered plagiarism |
| Insignificant Match | Small, insignificant similarities in wording or ideas are generally not considered plagiarism |
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What You'll Learn
Constructing a personal narrative without research
Constructing a personal narrative is a creative process that allows the author to express themselves and share their experiences, thoughts, and feelings with their readers. It is a style of writing that invites readers into the author's world, providing a glimpse into their thought processes and emotions. Here are some key considerations and steps to help you craft a compelling personal narrative without extensive research:
Choose a Focus and Theme
Personal narratives often revolve around significant moments, experiences, or reflections that have impacted your life. Choose a specific event, relationship, or turning point as the central focus of your narrative. This could be a pivotal decision, a challenging project, an encounter with someone important, or a realisation that changed your perspective. Having a clear focus will give direction to your story and make it more engaging.
Structure and Plot:
A well-structured personal narrative typically includes an introduction, plot, characters, setting, climax, and conclusion. Think of your narrative as a story with a beginning, middle, and end. The introduction should grab the reader's attention and set the tone, while the plot is where you build up the action or conflict. The climax is the high point of tension or the turning point, followed by the resolution or conclusion, where you tie up loose ends and reflect on the lessons learned. Ensure smooth transitions between paragraphs and sections to maintain a coherent flow.
Show, Don't Tell:
Instead of merely telling your readers what happened, use vivid descriptions and actions to show them. For example, instead of saying, "I was angry," you could describe your clenched fists and the rising pitch of your voice. This approach immerses your readers in the narrative and helps them connect with your emotions. It also applies to your reflections and lessons learned. Instead of stating what you learned, show your readers by narrating how your behaviour or perspective changed as a result.
Use Sensory Details:
Engage your readers' senses by incorporating specific sensory details. Describe the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and tactile sensations associated with your narrative. For instance, the scent of freshly baked cookies evoking feelings of nostalgia or the buzz of excited chatter in a crowded room. These details create a richer and more immersive reading experience, making your story come alive.
Be Yourself:
Personal narratives are unique to each individual. Embrace your authentic voice and inject your personality into the narrative. Use the first-person pronoun ("I") throughout to signify your perspective and ownership of the story. Include personal anecdotes, reflections, and unique details that only you can share. This makes your narrative distinct and allows readers to connect with your story on a deeper level.
Choose Tense Carefully:
Personal narratives often relate events from the past, so the past tense is commonly used to distinguish between your current, narrating voice and your past self. However, if you choose to write in the present tense, ensure consistency throughout. This maintains clarity and helps your readers follow your story without confusion.
Crafting a personal narrative without research involves drawing from your own experiences, emotions, and reflections. By focusing on your unique perspective and using vivid descriptions, you can create a compelling and authentic narrative that resonates with your readers.
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Paraphrasing with proper citation
Paraphrasing is putting another person's ideas into your own words. It is a useful skill when you need to expose your reader to the argument of another author to help them understand your argument. However, it is important to remember that an author deserves credit for their ideas, sentence structure, word choice, and sequence of thoughts. Therefore, when paraphrasing, it is crucial to provide proper attribution to the original source.
Proper attribution typically involves two steps: firstly, accompany the paraphrased text with an in-text citation or reference to the original source, such as the author's name and the year of publication. This is usually placed in parentheses after the paraphrased text. Secondly, include the full details of the source in the bibliography or "Works Cited" list at the end of your paper. This allows readers to easily locate and refer to the original source if they wish to do so.
It is important to note that changing a few words in someone else's sentence does not make it your own—you must substantially rewrite the sentence while retaining the original meaning. Additionally, be mindful not to use quotation marks around words or phrases that are not exactly those of the author, as this constitutes false citation. Instead, use quotation marks when using three or more consecutive words from the source. If you are quoting a longer passage, typically four or more lines, you should use a block indent for the quote.
Different disciplines may use different citation styles, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago Manual of Style. These styles have specific guidelines for formatting in-text citations and reference lists. You can refer to the respective style guides for detailed instructions on how to format your citations correctly. Additionally, many universities and libraries provide resources and guidelines to help students with proper citation and paraphrasing, so be sure to utilise these services if you are unsure.
By following these steps and providing proper attribution, you can effectively paraphrase while avoiding plagiarism and giving credit to the original author.
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Citing common knowledge
When writing, it's important to understand the concept of "common knowledge" and how it relates to plagiarism. The term "common knowledge" refers to facts or information that are widely known and easily verifiable by most people without the need for specific citations. This means that if you include well-known facts or information in your writing that your readers are likely to already know or can easily confirm without extensive research, you don't need to provide a citation.
For example, if you are writing about a historical event, such as the founding of a college, and you include basic facts that are readily available and easily verifiable, such as the date of its founding and the name of the founding organisation, this would be considered common knowledge and would not require a citation.
However, it's important to note that what constitutes common knowledge can vary depending on the context and your audience. For instance, certain facts or theories that are widely accepted within a specific academic discipline might be considered common knowledge among scholars in that field, but they may not be as well-known to a general audience. In such cases, it's crucial to consider the level of familiarity your target audience has with the subject matter.
Additionally, common knowledge does not include information that is obscure or difficult to verify. If you come across a piece of information that is not easily accessible or verifiable through multiple sources, it is always better to provide a citation, even if it seems like common knowledge at first glance. This demonstrates that you have done your research and allows readers to check your facts if they wish to do so.
Finally, remember that common knowledge does not excuse plagiarism. Even when dealing with widely known facts or ideas, it is important to present them in your own words and not copy someone else's unique language or expression. Always give credit where it is due, and when in doubt, it is safer to cite your sources.
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Using your own words and ideas
Plagiarism is a serious academic and professional offense that involves the misuse or appropriation of someone else's ideas, words, or creations and presenting them as your own. It is essential to understand that plagiarism can occur in various forms and degrees, and it is not always a clear-cut concept. One of the key ways to avoid plagiarism is to use your own words and ideas. This means that you should express thoughts and concepts in your unique voice and style, ensuring that you are not merely copying or paraphrasing someone else's work. Here are some key considerations and strategies to ensure that you are using your own words and ideas effectively:
Start by understanding the source material thoroughly. It is crucial to grasp the ideas and arguments presented by the original author(s) before attempting to express them in your own words. Take the time to read, analyze, and make sure you comprehend the main points, evidence, and implications of the source content. By fully understanding the material, you can then internalize and reinterpret it in a meaningful way.
Develop your unique voice and writing style. Everyone has a distinct way of expressing themselves, and it's important to cultivate and embrace your individual style. Practice writing regularly, experiment with different phrases and constructions, and find the tone and language that feels most natural to you. By doing so, it will become more effortless and instinctive to articulate your thoughts and ideas authentically.
Use direct quotations sparingly and only when necessary. While quotations are acceptable and sometimes required, excessive reliance on them can suggest a lack of original thought. Reserve direct quotations for instances where the precise language is critical to your argument or analysis, or when the phrasing is particularly distinctive or impactful. Always remember to properly attribute quotations and use them to support your own insights and interpretations.
Paraphrasing is a powerful tool, but use it judiciously. Paraphrasing involves expressing someone else's ideas in your own words while retaining the core meaning. While paraphrasing can demonstrate your understanding of a concept, it should be used sparingly and thoughtfully. Make sure to alter the structure, syntax, and vocabulary significantly when paraphrasing to ensure that your expression is genuinely unique and not merely a synonym substitution.
Provide your unique perspective and analysis. One of the most effective ways to ensure originality is to go beyond simply summarizing or rephrasing existing ideas. Add your critical thinking, interpretation, and synthesis to the source material. Discuss the implications, relate the ideas to other relevant concepts, or offer a personal reflection. By integrating your insights and perspectives, you are creating new meaning and contributing an original layer of thought to the existing body of knowledge.
Cite your sources and give proper credit. Even when using your own words, it is crucial to acknowledge the contributions and influences of others. Provide in-text citations and references to give credit where it is due. Proper sourcing demonstrates academic integrity and honesty, and it also strengthens your work by showing that you have engaged with and built upon existing scholarship or research.
Finally, use plagiarism detection tools and seek feedback. While these tools don't replace careful research and ethical writing practices, they can help identify areas of your work that may be too similar to existing sources. Peer feedback or mentorship can also provide valuable insights and help ensure that your work is original and properly attributed.
Remember, using your own words and ideas is not just about avoiding plagiarism; it's about contributing your unique perspective to a broader conversation. By internalizing and transforming external sources into your own authentic expression, you demonstrate critical thinking, originality, and a deep understanding of the material.
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Quoting with proper indication
Using Quotation Marks
When using someone else's exact words, always enclose them in quotation marks. This is a widely recognised form of acknowledgement. For longer quotes, you can set them off in an indented paragraph without quotation marks. However, remember that even with proper quotation, you still need to express ideas in your own words and contribute something new to the text.
Introducing the Quote
Ensure that you introduce the quote in a way that alerts the reader that these are not your own words. For instance, you could write, "As [Author's Name] states,..." or "[Author's Name] argues that...". This makes it clear that the upcoming words are a quote.
Citing the Source
After using a quote, provide a citation to properly attribute the original author. This typically involves including the author's last name, the publication date, and the page number (if available). The specific format of the citation depends on the referencing style you are using, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago.
Keeping Quotes Concise
Try to keep quotes as concise as possible. Short quotes, usually under two lines, are generally preferred. Longer quotes should only be used when necessary, such as when the original author's unique language or style is essential to your point. Remember that the main goal is to express ideas in your own words, so use quotes sparingly to support and enhance your arguments.
Combining Quotes with Your Own Writing
When incorporating quotes, seamlessly integrate them into your text using your own words. Avoid simply stringing quotes together with a few transition sentences. Instead, analyse, explain, or build upon the quoted material to show your understanding and add your unique perspective.
Understanding Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing involves expressing someone else's ideas in your own words while still providing a citation to the original source. This can be a useful alternative to direct quotations when you want to summarise or condense a longer passage. However, be cautious not to change the original meaning, and always give credit to the source to avoid accidental plagiarism.
In conclusion, quoting with proper indication involves using quotation marks, introducing the quote, providing citations, keeping quotes concise, integrating them effectively into your text, and understanding the role of paraphrasing. By following these guidelines, you can confidently use the words and ideas of others while avoiding plagiarism and contributing your own original thoughts and insights.
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Frequently asked questions
Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's ideas, writings, or findings without proper attribution. This includes copying text directly, paraphrasing without crediting the original source, or borrowing the structure of someone else's ideas without giving appropriate acknowledgment.
Constructing a personal narrative without research. This would not be considered plagiarism as it is an original creation based solely on one's own experiences and ideas, without the use of outside sources or the theft of ideas or words.
To avoid plagiarism, always cite your sources when using information from another source. When quoting another author, you may leave out portions of their language or add to their language, as long as you indicate that you have done so using an ellipsis or square brackets. Rewording a passage into your own voice is also an effective way to avoid plagiarism, but be sure to still cite the source.
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