This document defines plagiarism and discusses penalties for committing plagiarism. It identifies three types of plagiarism: copying text without citations, borrowing phrases without rewording or citations, and paraphrasing without citations. The document provides guidance on properly paraphrasing and using in-text citations, and notes that references cited in the paper must correspond to references provided at the end. Failure to properly cite sources can result in penalties ranging from failing the assignment to dismissal from the university.

1. Plagiarism
What You Need to Know About
APA Format to Avoid Plagiarism

2. Definition
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Plagiarism:
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To steal and pass off the ideas or words of another as
one's own
To use another's production without crediting the
source
To commit literary theft
To present as new and original an idea or concept
derived from an existing source.
In other words, plagiarism is an act of fraud. It
involves both stealing someone else's work and
lying about it afterward.

3. Penalties for Plagiarism
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First Offense
 Student receives an F on the assignment.
Instructor may permit the student to resubmit but
lose one letter grade.
Second Offense
 Student receives an F in the course and is
required to repeat the entire class.
Third Offense
 Student is dismissed from the University.

4. Three Types of Plagiarism
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Copying text without using quotation marks and an
In-Text Citation is plagiarism.
Borrowing phrases and clauses from the original
source and weaving them into your own writing
without rewording AND without using an In-Text
Citation is plagiarism.
Paraphrasing without including an In-Text Citation
is plagiarism.

5. More about Paraphrasing
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Paraphrasing is using someone else’s ideas and
presenting them in your paper as reworded
information.
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Paraphrasing is an excellent method to use when
using your words to express other people’s ideas.
Paraphrase when you wish to simplify complex
source information.
Always cite paraphrased material or you will be
guilty of plagiarism.

6. General Rules for In-Text Citations
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Every paragraph in your paper should probably have at least
ONE In-Text Citation.
Exceptions might be your Abstract, Introduction, and
Conclusion.
Ensure that your In-Text Citations are formatted correctly by
using the APA Publication Manual, 6th Edition.
The typical format for in-text citations (but check, because it
may vary based on your source) is (Author’s last name,
year).

7. References
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The last page of your assignment is typically your
References page (unless you have appendices).
Every source you cite in your paper must have an
entry on your References page.
Every citation must have a corresponding reference
on the reference page, and vice versa. There is no
one without the other!
Follow the strict formatting rules for your
References page by using the APA Publication Manual,
6th Edition or the APA Help information in the OWL.