1. Plagiarism
What it is and how to avoid it

2. So, what is plagiarism?
 The UCF Office of Student Conduct
defines it as: “Whereby another’s work
is used or appropriated without any
indication of the source, thereby
attempting to convey the impression
that such work is the student’s own.
Any student failing to properly credit
ideas or materials from another is
plagiarizing.”

3. What does plagiarism look
like?
 Using a quote (even if it is in
quotation marks) without a proper
citation (for example: Hoffer 13)
 The only exception is when you use
the author’s name in the text - but
you still must use a page number!

4. What does plagiarism look
like?
 Using the author’s exact words without
quotation marks, even if there is an in-
text citation.
 For example, if the author’s words are:
“Abraham Lincoln was a man of many words
and exemplary character”
and the student writes:
“Abraham Lincoln had exemplary character”
then the last two words must be in
quotation marks! This is not well-known
information. The author has worked hard to
prove this statement.

5. What does plagiarism look
like?
 Summarizing an author’s
arguments, main points, or
description without an in-text
citation.

6. What does plagiarism look
like?
 Giving a specific fact that is not well-
known without a citation.
 For example, you can safely say that the
world is round. You cannot safely say that
the people in 1492 believed the world was
round without citing a source.
 Rule of thumb: Cite everything except
transitional sentences!

7. What does plagiarism look
like?
 You can also self-plagiarize or
plagiarize with a classmate.
 This involves copying off work that
has been done previously or is being
completed for the same project

8. Why is plagiarism a big
deal?
 Especially in history, the stealing of ideas is huge. We
have very little except for our ideas and writings.
 It keeps the teacher from being able to grade your work
fully - since it is not your work.
 There are no “gimmies” in college. If you are planning
on attending college, you will have to turn your papers
in to an internet search website. If your paper comes up
plagiarized, you will not get a second chance. You
will definitely receive a “0” in the class, and will
probably be expelled with a mark on your record.
 Plagiarism is stealing!!!