This document provides a guide for students on plagiarism. It defines plagiarism as failing to properly cite sources, attempting to take credit for someone else's work, or improperly paraphrasing others' work. The document explains that plagiarism is a form of cheating and is prohibited under university policy. It provides tips for students on how to properly cite sources using quotation marks, paraphrasing in their own words, and citing sources using APA or MLA style. Consequences for plagiarism are also discussed, ranging from penalties to expulsion. The document concludes by emphasizing that plagiarism only hurts students and they should take care to do their own original work.

1. Plagiarism:
A Guide for Students
William Allan Kritsonis, PhD
Professor
PhD Program in Educational Leadership
Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling
Whitlowe R. Green College of Education
Prairie View A&M University
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2. What is “Plagiarism?”
Plagiarism is defined as the following:
Failing to credit sources used in a work or product in
an attempt to pass off the work as one’s own (not
referencing original source)
Attempting to receive credit for work performed by
another; including papers obtained in whole or in part
from individuals or other sources (submitting
someone else’s original work)
Paraphrasing not done in a proper way
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3. Why is it Wrong?
Plagiarism is a form of cheating. It is an offense
under the Prairie View A&M’s University Policy
on Academic Honesty.
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4. How Can You Avoid Plagiarism?
Paraphrase information taken from sources. It
must be in your own words. Changing one or
two words does not count.
Only technical terms should be repeated.
Exact words still used must have quotation
marks around them.
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5. How Can I Avoid Plagiarism?(Cont’d)
Quote directly from the source. Use the exact
wording as well as quotation marks. Quoting
without the use of quotation marks is
considered plagiarism.
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6. How Can I Avoid Plagiarism? (Cont’d)
Always cite the source, whether you are
paraphrasing or quoting. If you are not familiar
with proper citation form, please consult with
your professor or classmates to determine if
your professor prefers the APA or MLA style.
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7. How Can I Avoid Plagiarism? (Cont’d)
 Use your own ideas, words, and interpretation
When in doubt, cite!
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8. Examples of Proper Citing
Sources (APA)
 Short quote of fewer than 40 words:
“Philosophy is a theoretical or logical analysis of the
principles underlying conduct, thought, knowledge, and the
nature of the universe” (Kritsonis, 2003, p. 3) .
 Long quote of 40+ words (Block Quote):
People express opinions and maintain certain beliefs
concerning what is right and what is good. These opinions
have remained in a state of debate and occasionally in a
state of confusion concerning interpretation .Individual
philosophers have left their marks of past thoughts and
practices. They are infused in present-day educational
settings. (Kritsonis, 2003, p. 3)
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9. Example of Corresponding
Reference
Kritsonis, W.A. (2003). Philosophy in education.
National FORUM Journal of Multicultural
Education, 15(1), 3. Retrieved from
www.nationalforum.com
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10. Dangers of Using the Internet
The internet has made plagiarism easier with
access to sites that will sell you an essay or term
paper, search engines, journals, articles,
newspapers, encyclopedias, and so forth.
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11. Plagiarism Example
A student copies, improperly paraphrases, or
omits an original source obtained from the
Internet or other source and gives the work to
his/her professor. The professor assumes the
work is the student’s original thoughts and ideas.
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12. When is It OK Not to Cite?
When you are stating a fact that is common
knowledge. If it is something you knew
without looking it up, and believe that most
people reading your paper would already know
the information, that’s common knowledge.
When you are presenting your own ideas.
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13. Examples of Common Knowledge
Common knowledge consists of:
Information that is easily observed –Rain falls from the
sky, but not a detailed explanation of why this happens.
Commonly reported facts –There are nine planets in our
solar system, but not information about the planets.
Common sayings such as proverbs – “What goes up
must come down.”
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14. Presenting Your Own
Ideas
If you are using a previous paper or presentation,
that you created, you must cite your previous
work. Otherwise, you are committing self-
plagiarism.
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15. What Happens if You Are Found
Plagiarizing a Source?
Grade Penalty
Letter of Reprimand
Probation
Suspension
Dismissal
Expulsion
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16. Beware
There are sites that help professors analyze
students’ work for plagiarism. Some of these
sites include:
 Safe Assign (PVAMU)
 Turnitin
 www.grammarly.com
 www.ithenticate.com/
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17. Conclusion
Plagiarism only hurts you. Your professor cannot
accurately critique your work if it is not your
own work. You cannot get practice in writing or
organizing your own thoughts. In essence, you
are cheating yourself.
I will not commit plagiarism.
I will not commit plagiarism.
I will not commit plagiarism.
Bottom Line: You can be expelled from PVAMU.
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18. References
Brannan ,J. A. (n.d.). Plagiarism. Retrieved from
http://www.slideshare.net/kathykhan/plagiarism-powerpoint-2427193
Google (n.d.). Plagiarism images. Retrieved from
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1920&bih=813&gbv=2&tbm
=isch&sa=1&q=plagiarism&oq=plag&aq=1&aqi=g10&aql=&gs_sm=c&
gs_upl=444688l446766l0l450219l4l3l0l0l0l0l406l937l2-2.0.1l3
Kritsonis, W.A. (2003). Philosophy in education. National FORUM Journal of
Multicultural Education, 15(1), 3. Retrieved from
www.nationalforum.com
PVAMU (2008, February 19). Plagiarism FAQ. Bulletin of Prairie View A&M
University, 82(1), 44.
Walrath, W. (n.d.). Plagiarism: Don’t do it! Retrieved from
www.tuhsd.k12.az.us/mdn/departments/lrtc/plagiarism.ppt
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