Don't be a copycat


What is Plagiarism? 


According to the Meriam-Webster online dictionary, to “plagiarize” means

  • To steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own
  • To use (another’s production) without crediting the source
  • To commit literary theft
  • To present as new and original idea or product derived from and existing source

In other word plagiarism is an act of fraud.  It involves both stealing someone else’s work and lying about it afterwards. www.plagiarism.org




What about images, videos, and music?


Using image, video or a piece of music in a work you have produced without receiving proper permission or providing appropriate citation is PLAGIARISM.  The following activities are very common in today’s society. Despite their popularity, they still count as plagiarism. 

  • Copying media (images) from websites to paste them into your own papers or websites
  • Making video using footage from others videos or using copyright music as part of the soundtrack
  • Performing other person’s copyrighted music (i.e., playing a cover)





The word plagiarism comes from a Latin word for kidnapping. You know that kidnapping is stealing a person. Well, plagiarism is stealing a person's ideas or writing. You wouldn't take someone's lunch money or bike, right? Well, someone's words and thoughts are personal property, too.  

What is Plagiarism? Retrieved from www.Kidshealth.org.



How to cite sources and avoid Plagiarism!                                      


Visit the following sources on how to cite sources

  1. https://www.eduplace.com/parents/resources/homework/reference/bibliography.html
  2. http://www.plagiarism.org/citing-sources/cite-sources/
  3. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association



6 ways to avoid Plagiarism

Paraphrase

Cite

Quoting

Citing Quotes

Citing your own works

Referencing