Identify and correct plagiarism

  • Plagiarism is when someone uses another person’s words, ideas, or work without giving them credit.
  • It is like copying someone else’s homework or ideas and saying they are your own.

  • It is unfair to the original creator who worked hard to produce their work.
  • It can lead to serious consequences at school, including loss of points or disciplinary action.
  • Plagiarism shows a lack of integrity and honesty in your work.

  • Look for Unusual Phrasing: If the writing style suddenly changes or seems too advanced for the student, it may be plagiarized.
  • Check for Quotes Without Citations: If someone uses direct quotes but does not mention where they got them from, that is plagiarism.
  • Compare Sources: If the information closely matches a book, website, or another student’s work, it could indicate plagiarism.

  • Use Your Own Words: Always try to summarize information in your own words instead of copying directly.
  • Give Credit: If you use someone else’s ideas or words, make sure to say where they came from. This is called citing sources.
  • Example: If you found a fact in a book, you can say, According to [Author’s Name] in [Book Title], …
  • Take Notes: When researching, write down information in your own words, and always note where you found it.

  • Rephrase or Summarize: If you find that you’ve copied something, rewrite it in your own words.
  • Example: Instead of saying, The cat is a small, carnivorous mammal, you might say, Cats are small animals that eat meat.
  • Add Citations: If you need to use someone else’s exact words, make sure to put them in quotation marks and add a citation.
  • Example: “Cats are great companions” (Author’s Name).
  • Ask for Help: If you’re unsure how to properly cite or rewrite something, ask a teacher or librarian for guidance.

let’s practice!