Understanding Plagiarism and How to Avoid It
Plagiarism is a significant issue in academic settings and can happen either
intentionally or unintentionally. According to the University of South Florida
(USF), plagiarism is using someone else’s work or words as one’s own,
whether done carelessly or deliberately (Department of Journalism & Media
Studies, n.d.). This includes copying words, ideas, or work from another
source without proper citation. One way to avoid plagiarism is learn different
types of plagiarism.
Types of Plagiarism
Three types of plagiarism are common in academic writing:
1. Direct Plagiarism: This is the simplest type of plagiarism, where an
individual directly duplicates text from another source without quoting
or acknowledging the original author (Turnitin White Paper, 2016). This
happens frequently when students are pressed for time and take
shortcuts by copying large sections of text, thinking it will go
unnoticed. However, plagiarism detection tools like TurnItIn can easily
identify such copied sections.
2. Paraphrasing Plagiarism: This occurs when someone rewrites
another’s ideas or text in their own words but fails to provide proper
citation. This form of plagiarism often arises from the misconception
that altering the wording is enough to make the content one’s own
(Turnitin White Paper, 2016). In reality, the source of the ideas must
still be acknowledged, even if the wording changes.
3. Self-Plagiarism: Reusing one’s previous work without proper
permission or citation is another form of plagiarism. For instance, a
student might submit a paper they’ve written for another course,
thinking that since it’s their own work, it doesn’t require citation.
However, self-plagiarism is still considered academic dishonesty
(Undergraduate Studies, n.d.).
These types of plagiarism occur because of a lack of awareness,
misunderstanding of citation rules, or pressure to meet deadlines (Harris,
2021). Students may not realize the importance of giving credit for
paraphrased material or reusing their previous work.
Strategies to Avoid Plagiarism
To avoid plagiarism, students can adopt several strategies during the writing
process:
1. Proper Citation: Familiarizing oneself with citation formats, like APA,
is essential. Every direct quote, paraphrase, or idea borrowed from a
source must be properly cited in-text and listed in a reference section
(Harris, 2021) . Following citation rules ensures that credit is given to
original authors.
2. Paraphrasing Correctly: When paraphrasing, it’s important to
rewrite the idea completely in your own words and follow up with a
citation. To paraphrase effectively, students should read the original
material, understand it fully, then close the source and write the idea
in their own terms (Plagiarism Introductory Video, 2024) . This
minimizes the risk of copying sentence structure or wording.
3. Using Plagiarism Detection Tools: There are certain software such
as Turnitin that students can use to determine the if they have
plagiarized or not. These tools can flag potential issues, allowing
students to revise their work before submission (Plagiarism
Introductory Video, 2024). Running drafts through these tools helps
catch any unintentional plagiarism.
Intentional vs. Unintentional Plagiarism
Plagiarism can occur either intentionally or unintentionally, and there’s an
important distinction between the two:
1. Intentional Plagiarism: An example of academic misconduct would
be a student deliberately copying sections from a published article
without citing it, with the intent to deceive the instructor. This type of
plagiarism is a clear violation of academic integrity and often leads to
serious penalties, such as failing the assignment or even the course
(Department of Journalism & Media Studies, n.d.).
2. Unintentional Plagiarism: Unintentional plagiarism happens when a
student accidentally omits citations or incorrectly paraphrases a
source. For instance, a student might paraphrase an idea but forget to
include an in-text citation, believing that paraphrasing alone is
sufficient. While the student may not have intended to cheat, this is
still considered plagiarism and could lead to a deduction in grades or
other penalties, depending on the severity.
The Importance of Plagiarism Detection and Penalties
Despite the potential for unintentional plagiarism, universities use
sophisticated tools like TurnItIn and impose strict penalties for all forms of
plagiarism. These measures ensure that students learn to produce original
work and understand the value of academic integrity. Plagiarism detection
tools are designed not just to catch cheaters but to help students recognize
areas where they need to improve their citation practices.
Even though PSY 2012 at USF treats unintentional plagiarism as a writing
error rather than an academic integrity violation, the consequences may be
more severe in future courses. If a student repeatedly submits work that fails
to properly cite sources, they could face sanctions under the USF academic
integrity policy. This could range from receiving a lower grade to being
referred to the academic review board.
Conclusion
Plagiarism, whether intentional or unintentional, undermines the principles of
academic integrity. By understanding the different types of plagiarism, using
proper citation methods, and employing tools to check for originality,
students can avoid committing plagiarism and maintain the quality and
credibility of their academic work. Learning to paraphrase and cite sources
correctly is essential not just for avoiding penalties but for fostering a deeper
engagement with course material. Ultimately, students who develop these
skills will benefit academically and professionally, as they learn to contribute
their own ideas while respecting the intellectual property of others.
References
Department of Journalism & Media Studies (Ed.). (n.d.). Guidelines on academic dishonesty,
plagiarism, and Attribution.
https://www.usf.edu/arts-sciences/departments/journalism/documents/department-of-
journalism-and-media-studies-guidelines-on-academic-dishonesty-plagiarism-and-
attribution.pdf
Harris, R. (2021, January 13). Anti-plagiarism strategies. VirtualSalt.
https://www.virtualsalt.com/anti-plagiarism-strategies-for-research-papers/
Atchley, R. (n.d.). Plagiarism Introductory Video. Canvas.
https://usflearn.instructure.com/courses/1882200/pages/plagiarism-introductory-video-please-
watch-before-your-first-friday-lab-class-2?module_item_id=35809963
Turnitin White Paper . (2016). The plagiarism spectrum. Turnitin.
https://www.turnitin.com/static/plagiarism-spectrum/?
_ga=1.142124917.67240262.1473360641
University Of South Florida. (n.d.). Ethics and Integrity- For Students. Undergraduate Studies.
https://www.usf.edu/undergrad/students/ethics-integrity.aspx
