Citation and Plagiarism

What is Plagiarism? 

Plagiarism is the use of another's words and ideas without giving credit and claiming them as your own.

Most cases of plagiarism by college students are unintentional and due to mistakes or misunderstandings about how to cite properly.

Watch the short video bellow for an example:

There are several ways to plagiarize. Some examples include: 

• Submitting someone else's work as your own
• Copying or rephrasing another’s work and not acknowledging the source
• Using another’s idea as your own without recognition of the source
• Using a paper you wrote previously and resubmitting for another class (self-plagiarism)
• Stitching together numerous paraphrases from others without credit
• Using text or information from AI tools, such as ChatGPT, without acknowledgement and claiming it as your own

Again: If you didn't write it, you have to cite it.

For more information on types of plagiarism, see:

The best way to avoid plagiarism is following the guides for citation. Check the links bellow for information, examples and tips on best practices to avoid plagiarism. 

If you are still not sure how to incorporate your sources in your paper and avoid plagiarism, ask your instructor AND come to see our librarians. 

From The Visual Communication Guy and based on information from "What is Plagiarism" on plagiarism.org

To view the image larger, click here. 

Common knowledge is factual information that is widely known and accepted and does not need to be cited.

• Abraham Lincoln was the 16^th president.
• The sky is blue.
• Broccoli is a vegetable.

Common knowledge can vary by your field of study.  What a science major knows as common knowledge may not be familiar to a business major.  Check with your instructor if you are unsure of whether or not something is truly common knowledge.

Check the CIA Policy on Academic Honest to learn more about violations of academic standards.