Avoiding plagiarism may seem like an overwhelming task, especially when getting into the weeds of proper citations, self-plagiarism, paraphrasing, and other key components of this important task. However, avoiding plagiarism doesn’t have to stay an incomprehensible challenge. There are actually some core concepts which can help you when remedying this issue, and even prevent it. As such, today’s article is on some handy tips that will assist you in understanding, recognizing, and even avoiding plagiarism in your own work.
Know the Definitions
It’s important to be aware of what constitutes plagiarism in order to avoid it, since it may come in different shapes and sizes. Self-plagiarism, for example, happens when you market your own older work as being newly created, while other forms of plagiarism can occur when proper citations or paraphrasing do not occur. Checking discipline parameters, reading course syllabi, looking at Baylor’s plagiarism resources (linked here: https://honorcode.web.baylor.edu/other-policies-and-resources/plagiarism-resources), and talking to your instructor can all be informative in this area. Additionally, make sure you are aware of how to cite properly in your discipline’s chosen format, and if it’s a format you are unfamiliar with, seek out handbooks, tutorials, or other resources to make sure you are aware of how it functions.
Get a Second Set of Eyes
When in doubt over whether you’ve plagiarized, or if you are citing sources properly, it’s always best to get a second pair of eyes before submitting an assignment. Your instructor can be a fantastic resource in this area, since they will be the most familiar with the ins and outs of your discipline. So, take advantage of office hours and don’t hesitate to ask questions when unsure: it may save you some headaches down the line. The Graduate Writing Center is also available for your assistance in this area, so book an appointment with one of our consultants (our page is linked here: https://graduate.baylor.edu/gwc) and we will be more than happy to talk with you about this important topic. Exchanging assignments with your peers in order to check for plagiarism can also be a helpful practice and illuminate areas where you may not have noticed a paraphrase that isn’t different enough from original wording, or perhaps an unfinished citation.
Start Tracking Sources Early
Often, plagiarism because of improper citations happens at the last minute: the assignment deadline is right around the corner and you’re rushing to plug your last citations, sources, and bibliographic information into an otherwise-finished assignment. To help prevent this, begin taking notes on your sources early in the research process. Collect bibliographic information as you go, and write down page numbers, author information, and even quotations from material you are likely to use. Then, when you start writing your assignment, begin making citations and incorporating sources as you go, rather than waiting until the last minute or until after you have written your paper.
Space
Finally, academic writing can be a challenging craft to master, so be sure to give yourself patience and grace on this new learning curve. Take advantage of the tools and assistance that are available to you, and don’t hesitate to ask for help. By doing this, not only will you be better equipped to both prevent and treat instances of plagiarism in your own work, but you will be more confident in the strength and creativity of your own writing.