Purdue University North Central Writing Center Handout

Avoiding  Plagiarism

1.            Plagiarism through ignorance

                        A. paraphrases not documented

                        B. facts not documented

                        C. quotations not within quotes

2.         When to cite a source

                        A. when you use any fact, any idea, or any opinion which you acquire from             a source

                        B. when you summarize any discussion from a source

                        C. when you directly use any wording taken from a source

3.         Beware of near-quotations!  If you wish to summarize anything from a source, make certain that you do not just rearrange the wording.  Digest the material first.  Then ask yourself, "What did he or she say about that?"  Then set aside the source and write your summary.  When you are finished, check the source for the accuracy of your idea.

4.         The basic principle is as follows:  The reader must assume that anything not documented is wholly yours and that anything not within quotation marks is totally your composition.  You may say, "Then almost everything will be documented."  That should not be the case.  Writers consults sources other than themselves in order to develop their thesis and present their view of the topic.  The paper is their discussion of the thesis supported by research.

5.         One final reminder:  Do not use direct quotations for padding.  Save them for times when to use any wording other than your source's would weaken the content of your paper.