To Cite or Not to Cite? that is the Question!

When writing, whether writing a research paper, a narrative, or even a descriptive writing essay, it is important to give credit to any outside sources or information that is used.

Plagiarism can often be a scary word. If a student was asked whether or not he or she plagiarized, the answer is usually "no". However, looking closer at the many types of plagiarism can reveal more occurrences of this practice, whether intentional or unintentional. Take a look at the information in the slideshow below and learn easy methods for avoiding plagiarism. Please note that the slideshow contains audio - ensure that your speakers are turned up. Click the arrows and play button to navigate through the presentation.

When in doubt, cite sources.
Of course you want to get credit for your own ideas. And, you don't want your instructor to think that you got all of your information from somewhere else. But if it is unclear whether an idea came from you, or whether you got it from somewhere else and just changed it a little, you should always cite your source. Instead of weakening your paper and making it seem like you have fewer original ideas, this will actually strengthen your paper.

Make it clear who said what.
Even if you cite sources, ambiguity in your phrasing can often disguise the real source of any given idea, causing inadvertent plagiarism. Make sure when you mix your own ideas with those of your sources that you always clearly distinguish.

Know how to paraphrase. A paraphrase is a restatement in your own words of someone else's ideas. Changing a few words of the original sentences does NOT make your writing a legitimate paraphrase. You must change both the words and the sentence structure of the original, without changing the content. Also, you should keep in mind that paraphrased passages still require citation because the ideas came from another source, even though you are putting them in your own words.

Ethics: Cheating and Plagiarism

In this video clip from In the Mix, teens speak frankly about the reasons they feel the need to cheat. They also raise questions about the definition of cheating and when, if ever, it can be considered acceptable. We then meet ninth graders from a New Jersey high school who are required to participate in a series of ethics courses covering a variety of topics. Watch the video below. Please remain patient as the video loads.

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