Plagiarism is passing off another’s words or ideas as your own. Anything you did not write that you turn in as your own work is plagiarism. Plagiarism is a form of cheating.
IT IS VERY SERIOUS!
If you are discovered plagiarizing in college, the consequences can be severe and lasting.
REMEMBER! Future employers may find out about it!
Citation is necessary because scholars (and other honest people) want to share ideas without stealing them.
When you create a research paper or presentation, it is (or should be) a combination of your original thoughts and the knowledge you have gained from the thoughts of others.
Citation is a way of giving credit to those whose ideas made your final product possible.
Often, plagiarism occurs inadvertently as the result of sloppy scholarship, inadequate paraphrasing skills, or failure to understand the rules of citation. However it occurs, it is a serious academic infraction. Follow these helpful tips: