Students must grasp the severe repercussions of plagiarism. It is the act of using someone else’s work without giving them proper credit, and it can result in academic failure, including failing a course or being expelled. To avoid plagiarism, it is essential to comprehend what it is and what not to do.
The first step in preventing plagiarism is to always acknowledge the original author. According to California State University (2023), this means citing any sources properly in written works, whether through in-text citations or a bibliography. It is also crucial to avoid copying and pasting from sources since this is one of the forms of plagiarism. Rather, it is better to use your own words and paraphrase the information in your style.
Another way to prevent plagiarism is to begin working on assignments early. When you are under pressure and time-constrained, you may be tempted to take shortcuts and use someone else’s work. As indicated by educators, by giving yourself ample time to complete the assignments, you can ensure you are not tempted to plagiarize (Office of Student Support and Judicial Affairs, 2023). However, knowing what not to do when avoiding plagiarism is essential. Changing a few words in a sentence is not enough to avoid plagiarism. This is known as “patchwriting” and is still considered plagiarism.
Furthermore, buying papers online or requesting someone else to write your paper for you is unethical and a form of plagiarism. In conclusion, plagiarism is a severe academic offense that can have serious consequences. To avoid plagiarism, always give credit to the original author, use your own words, and start your assignments early. However, it is imperative to remember what not to do, such as patchwriting or buying papers online. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your work is original and properly cited.
References
California State University. (2023). Policy on plagiarism. Web.
Office of Student Support and Judicial Affairs. (2023). Avoiding plagiarism: Mastering the art of scholarship. Web.