What is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism - It's no joke

Plagiarism is no laughing matter. Plagiarism is a form of cheating or stealing.  When you use someone else's ideas, words, phrases, paragraphs, or works without giving that person credit, that's plagiarism.  For example, let's say that you're writing a paper about the author Charles Dickens, and you find great information in an article about his novels.  If you take the ideas in that article, or copy any part of that article (even a few words) without indicating where you got this from (in effect, passing them off as your own), that's plagiarism.  The penalties for plagiarism can be severe, including course failure and suspension.  The bottom line - if you didn't think it up, create it, or write it all by yourself, you must indicate where you got it from.

For further information, go to Understanding Plagiarism.

Last updated: 31 Jul 08, PAW