Avoiding plagiarism requires a careful and consistent approach to using sources in your work. The following strategies are essential:
1. Cite All Sources Appropriately
You must provide citation when you:
- Use another person’s words, even if only a short phrase
- Summarize or paraphrase someone else’s ideas
- Refer to data, images, or media not of your own creation
- Reuse your own previous work
Citations should appear both:
- In-text, at the point of use
- In a bibliography or reference list, at the end of your document
Use the citation style required by your instructor (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
2. Quote Accurately
When using a source’s exact words:
- Enclose them in quotation marks
- Include a full citation
- Preserve the original meaning and context
3. Paraphrase Effectively
Paraphrasing involves restating ideas from a source using your own words. To do this correctly:
- Understand the original meaning fully
- Rewrite the idea in your own words and sentence structure
- Include a proper citation, even though quotation marks are not needed
Poor paraphrasing that too closely mirrors the original text — even with minor word changes — may still be considered plagiarism.
4. Keep Organized Research Notes
Track your sources and ideas carefully as you research. This habit helps ensure that you know which ideas need citation and which are your own.