Tips to Avoid Plagiarism

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is Plagiarism?
3. Types of Plagiarism
   1. Complete Plagiarism
   2. Direct Plagiarism
   3. Source-Based Plagiarism
   4. Paraphrasing Plagiarism
   5. Mosaic or Patchwork Plagiarism
   6. Inaccurate Authorship
4. Steps to Avoid Paraphrasing Plagiarism
5. Steps to Avoid Mosaic or Patchwork Plagiarism
6. Conclusion

Introduction

In this video lesson, we will be discussing the important topic of plagiarism and a strategy for avoiding it. Plagiarism refers to the act of using someone else's work, ideas, or knowledge without proper acknowledgment. It can have serious consequences in academic institutions, leading to failure of a piece of work or even expulsion from a course. It's important to understand the different types of plagiarism and how to avoid them.

What is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism can be either accidental or deliberate. It involves passing off someone else's work as your own without giving credit to the original source. Universities provide introductory lessons on plagiarism and expect students to understand and follow ethical practices. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. Plagiarism is comparable to getting someone to do your homework for you, except the original author is unaware of it.

Types of Plagiarism

1. Complete Plagiarism:
   • Taking someone's completed work and submitting it as your own without any acknowledgment.
2. Direct Plagiarism:
   • Copying and pasting sections of someone else's work without proper citation or quotation marks.
3. Source-based Plagiarism:
   • Citing incorrect or non-existent sources, falsifying data or research findings, or altering results to mislead.
4. Paraphrasing Plagiarism:
   • Using someone else's writing in your own work, making minor changes to vocabulary or wording to give the impression of Originality.
5. Mosaic or Patchwork Plagiarism:
   • Blending the Writer's own words with those of other sources without proper citation or acknowledgement.
6. Inaccurate Authorship:
   • Not giving credit to someone who contributed to a piece of research or falsely claiming authorship of someone else's work.

Steps to Avoid Paraphrasing Plagiarism

To avoid paraphrasing plagiarism, it is important to follow these steps:

1. Avoid copying directly from the source.
2. Summarize the main points of the text in your own words.
3. Compare your version with the original source and ensure you have not copied exact phrases.
4. Use proper citation to acknowledge the source.

Steps to Avoid Mosaic or Patchwork Plagiarism

To avoid mosaic or patchwork plagiarism, follow these steps:

1. Ensure your own words and sentences are distinct from those of other published sources.
2. Properly paraphrase and cite any used sources.
3. Avoid changing only minor aspects of a sentence while keeping the overall structure or word choice the same.

Conclusion

Plagiarism is a serious offense that can have severe consequences in academic settings. It is important to understand the different types of plagiarism and follow ethical practices to avoid it. By following the steps outlined in this video lesson, You can effectively avoid paraphrasing plagiarism and mosaic or patchwork plagiarism. Remember to always give credit to the original authors and sources and cite them properly.