Using Sources in your Work: A Tutorial on Avoiding Plagiarism

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Using Sources in your WorkA Tutorial on
Avoiding Plagiarism
NOTE To move through this tutorial, use the
mouse to click on the arrow at the bottom right
of your screen.
2
Agenda for This Tutorial

• Pretest your knowledge of plagiarism by looking
  at some sample situations.
• Learn more about plagiarism
• What plagiarism is and how one can avoid it
• When to cite your sources
• How to cite your sources
• Take a quiz to verify your understanding.
• Pledge that you will avoid plagiarism.

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Definition of Plagiarism

• Plagiarism is
• To steal the words or ideas of another person
• To pass off the words or ideas of another person
  as ones own
• It doesnt matter whether the theft is
  intentional or accidental. Either way, it is
  plagiarism.

4
You know thisdont you?

• Sure you do. Teachers have been talking (and
  talking, and talking) about plagiarismand how
  you should avoid it.
• Lets see what you know about plagiarism. In
  each of the following examples, determine whether
  the student committed plagiarism or not.

5
Jacks Situation

• Jack has an English paper due tomorrow. He read
  the book and paid attention during class, but he
  has no idea what to write about.
• Jack logs onto the Internet just to get some
  ideas about topics for his paper.
• He finds a great idea and begins writing his
  paper using the topic he found. He is very
  careful to avoid copying any text or words from
  the Internet article he found.

Is this plagiarism?
Yes
No
6
You must choose from the blue buttons at the
bottom of the page.Read the situation and then
choose one of the options presented.
Click here to return to previous slide
7
You saidJack did plagiarize.

• You are right. Jacks actions constitute
  plagiarism.
• By taking the ideas of the source without citing
  them in the paper, Jack is committing plagiarism.
• Even though he put the ideas in his own words,
  Jack is stealing the intellectual property of the
  source.

8
You saidJack did not plagiarize.

• You are wrong. Jacks actions constitute
  plagiarism.
• By taking the ideas of the source without citing
  them in the paper, Jack is committing plagiarism.
• Even though he put the ideas in his own words,
  Jack is stealing the intellectual property of the
  source. You are wrong. Jacks actions constitute
  plagiarism.
• He could avoid plagiarism if he cites the source
  of the ideas in his paper.

9
Jills Situation

• During history class, Jill is asked to find some
  background on Fidel Castros rise to power.
• Jill does a Google search and arrives at
  Wikipedias article on Fidel Castro. Without
  using quotation marks, Jill cuts and pastes
  several sentences from Wikipedia into her
  assignment.

Is this plagiarism?
Yes
No
10
You must choose from the blue buttons at the
bottom of the page.Read the situation and then
choose one of the options presented.
Click here to return to previous slide
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You saidJill did plagiarize.

• You are right. Jills actions constitute
  plagiarism.
• By taking the words from the Wikipedia article,
  Jill is committing plagiarism.
• She could avoid plagiarizing if she quotes the
  article in her assignment and includes an entry
  describing the source in a bibliography at the
  end of her paper.

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You saidJill did not plagiarize.

• You are wrong. Jills actions constitute
  plagiarism.
• By taking the words from the Wikipedia article,
  Jill is committing plagiarism.
• She could avoid plagiarizing if she quotes the
  article in her assignment and includes an entry
  describing the source in a bibliography at the
  end of her paper.

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Gretels Situation

• Gretel is a freshman who feels overwhelmed by the
  high school. When her science teacher assigns a
  short worksheet on quarks, Gretel is confused and
  frustrated.
• During lunch, Gretel borrows her friends paper
  and copies the answers onto her own paper.

Is this plagiarism?
Yes
No
14
You must choose from the blue buttons at the
bottom of the page.Read the situation and then
choose one of the options presented.
Click here to return to previous slide
15
You saidGretel did plagiarize.

• You are right. Gretels actions constitute
  plagiarism.
• Even if Gretels friend gave permission for
  Gretel to copy her work, it is still plagiarism.
• Gretel is guilty of plagiarism. She tried to
  take credit for the words and ideas of another
  person.

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You saidGretel did not plagiarize.

• You are wrong. Gretels actions constitute
  plagiarism.
• Even if Gretels friend gave permission for
  Gretel to copy her work, it is still plagiarism.
  
• It is plagiarism when a student tries to take
  credit for the words and ideas of another person
  without acknowledging the original source of the
  work.

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Hansels Situation

• Hansel is a senior who has already been accepted
  to college.
• When his teacher assigns a paper on a subject
  that Hansel wrote a paper on as a sophomore,
  Hansel decides to turn in his old paper again.

Is this plagiarism?
Yes
No
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You must choose from the blue buttons at the
bottom of the page.Read the situation and then
choose one of the options presented.
Click here to return to previous slide
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You saidHansel did plagiarize.

• This example does not have a clear right or wrong
  answer. Although it may not technically be
  plagiarism, Hansels reuse of his own paper is
  prohibited by the rules of academic integrity.
• So, if caught, Hansel would be in trouble for his
  actions.

20
You saidHansel did not plagiarize.

• This example does not have a clear right or wrong
  answer. Although it may not technically be
  plagiarism, Hansels reuse of his own paper is
  prohibited by the rules of academic integrity.
• So, if caught, Hansel would be in trouble for his
  actions.

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Jacobs Situation

• Jacob is a sophomore who is creating a digital
  story using images from the internet.
• Without giving the source and the name of the
  photographer, Jacob uses photographs found doing
  a Google Image search.

Is this plagiarism?
Yes
No
22
You must choose from the blue buttons at the
bottom of the page.Read the situation and then
choose one of the options presented.
Click here to return to previous slide
23
You saidJacob did plagiarize.

• Although this is not technically plagiarism,
  Jacobs actions are wrong. The use of images or
  drawings created by anyone other than you
  requires citation of the artists name and the
  source of the image.
• So, if caught, Jacob would be in trouble for his
  actions.

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You saidJacob did not plagiarize.

• Although this is not technically plagiarism,
  Jacobs actions are wrong. The use of images or
  drawings created by anyone other than you
  requires citation of the artists name and the
  source of the image.
• So, if caught, Jacob would be in trouble for his
  actions.

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How did you do? Just to make sure you know
what actions are plagiarism, please read the
following
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Robert A. Harris, author of The Plagiarism
Handbook, states thatThe following actions are
clearly examples of plagiarism

• Downloading and submitting a free paper from a
  website.
• Buying and submitting a paper purchased from a
  paper mill.
• Copying verbatim another writers workeither in
  print or onlinewithout using quotation marks.

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Harris continues his description by explaining
thatThe actions below are also plagiarism,
although many students dont realize it

• Inadequate paraphrasing, such as merely
  substituting synonyms while keeping syntax and
  other aspects the same
• Rearranging another writers words or sentences
• Using anothers ideas, facts, or artistic
  products without attribution
• Using unique phrases from another writer
• Copying the organizational or syntactical
  structure of another writer, even if you change
  the words used.

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Wait, theres moreAccording to HarrisThese are
also plagiarism

• Cutting and pasting to create a paper from
  several sources without citing those sources.
• Quoting less than all the words copied.
• Changing some words but copying whole phrases.
• Paraphrasing without attribution
• Summarizing without attribution
• Faking a citation

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OK, I get it there are lots of ways to
plagiarize. And, yes, I know that it is
wrong. But, if I am not caught, I wont be
penalized. So, what is the benefit of citing
my sources?
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Four good reasons for citing sources in your work

• Citing reliable information gives credibility to
  your work.

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Four good reasons for citing sources in your work

• Citing reliable information gives credibility to
  your work.
• Cheating is unethical behavior.

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Four good reasons for citing sources in your work

• Citing reliable information gives credibility to
  your work.
• Cheating is unethical behavior.
• It is only fair to give credit to the
  sourceotherwise, you are stealing the sources
  ideas.

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Four good reasons for citing sources in your work

• Citing reliable information gives credibility to
  your work.
• Cheating is unethical behavior.
• It is only fair to give credit to the
  sourceotherwise, you are stealing the sources
  ideas.
• The consequences are severeplagiarism is not
  worth the risk.

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OK, fine there are reasons to not
plagiarize. But, Im busy. Very busy. And
school doesnt matter. And the assignment is
stupid. And my teacher wont catch me. And
other kids are doing it. And I need a good
grade. And it is due tomorrow! So, what am I
supposed to do?
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Well, first of all, you should not fall for
those excuses!

• They are excuses for cheating.
• (By the way, your teachers and principals wont
  believe that they are reasonable justification
  for cheating, either!)
• And it isnt hard to avoid plagiarism!
• Just cite the source of any ideas or words you
  take from anyone else.
• Then, provide a bibliography or Works Cited page
  to show where the borrowed material originated.

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So(1) What do I need to cite?(2) How do I
cite?Read on for the answers
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What do I need to cite?

• This chart will help you decide what must be
  cited.
• It was created by Robert A. Harris in The
  Plagiarism Handbook.

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Sothe rule isIf you created it or thought of
it,you do not need to cite the source.If you
did not create the content, you must cite the
source.
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The one exception to that rule is for common
knowledge.You do not need to cite the source
of an unoriginal piece of information IF(1) an
educated person should know the information,
OR,(2) it is a fact that could be found in an
encyclopedia.
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So, you dont need to cite a fact, but you
must cite the source of opinions and ideas that
are not your own. And, you must cite
anytime you use the exact words of the
sourceeven if the words are presenting common
knowledge.You must always cite the source of ANY
direct quotation.
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So, you dont need to cite a fact, for example
Rand wrote Anthem.OR Ayn Rand was born in
1905.but you must cite the source of opinions
and ideas that are not your own.for example
Dorothy Gale believed that Anthem is an inspiring
story (75). OR According to Joe Smith, Equality
7-2521 represents the human spirit (15).And,
you must cite anytime you use the exact words of
the sourceeven if the words are presenting
common knowledge.You must always cite the source
of ANY direct quotation.
42
So, lets check to see that you understand when
you need to cite the source and when you
dontAnswer the following questions and choose
the correct answer.
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• Test Case 1
• Jack isnt sure if he needs to cite the source of
  the information below. He found the fact online.
  
• Abraham Lincoln was our 16th president.
• What do you think? What should Jack do? Pick
  one of the answers below.

• Cite the source.
• This means he will
• Either
• Surround with quotation marks, or
• Put the quotation into his own words,
• changing the syntax, structure,
• organization
• Include a lead-in giving the sources name,
• Give the page number, and
• List the source in a bibliography

• Do not cite the
• source.
• This means that the information is a
• commonly reported fact. It is generally
• known and available from many sources.
• Jack should verify the information in at
• least two sources, then
• Jack will write the well-known
• information in his own words.

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You must choose one of the buttons at the bottom
of the page.Read the situation and then choose
one of the options presented.
Click here to return to previous slide
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You are incorrect.In this case, citation is not
necessary.

• Jack does not need to cite the source of quote
  the information because it is general knowledge.
• Because Abraham Lincolns status as the 16th
  President of the US is a fact that is verifiable
  in many places, Jack can use the information
  without citation.

46
You are correct!Jack does not need to cite this
information.

• Jack does not need to cite the source of quote
  the information because it is general knowledge.
• Because Abraham Lincolns status as the 16th
  President of the US is a fact that is verifiable
  in many places, Jack can use the information
  without citation.

47

• Test Case 2
• In her paper on Affirmative Action, Jill found
  one source that explained that Affirmative Action
  evens the field of play by wreaking equity on
  all players.
• In her paper, Jill uses the phrase wreaking
  equity but she puts all the other parts of the
  source into her own words.
• What should Jill do? Pick one of the answers
  below.

• Cite the source.
• This means she will
• Either
• Surround with quotation marks, or
• Put the quotation into her own words,
• changing the syntax, structure,
• organization
• Include a lead-in giving the sources name,
• Give the page number, and
• List the source in a bibliography

• Not cite the source.
• This means that the information is generally
• known and available from multiple sources.
• Jill should verify the information in at
• least two sources, then
• Jill will write the well-known
• information in her own words.

48
You must choose one of the buttons at the bottom
of the page.Read the situation and then choose
one of the options presented.
Click here to return to previous slide
49
You are correct!Jill must cite this information.

• Jill needs to cite the source of the paraphrase
  because the idea belongs to the source.
• Further, because Jill uses the unique phrase
  wreaking equity, she must include that phrase
  in quotation marks, indicating that it is a
  direct quotation from the source.

50
You are incorrect.In this case, citation is
necessary.

• Jill needs to cite the source of the paraphrase
  because the idea belongs to the source.
• Further, because Jill uses the unique phrase
  wreaking equity, she must include that phrase
  in quotation marks, indicating that it is a
  direct quotation from the source.

51

• Test Case 3
• Gretel found a very helpful article in an online
  database. She very carefully made sure that she
  rewrote the content of the article using her own
  personal style she changed the authors syntax
  and organization so that it fit seamlessly into
  her paper.
• What should Gretel do?

• Cite the source.
• This means she will
• Either
• Surround with quotation marks, or
• Put the quotation into his own words,
• changing the syntax, structure,
• organization
• Include a lead-in giving the sources name,
• Give the page number, and
• List the source in a bibliography

• Not cite the source.
• This means that the information is generally
• known and available from multiple sources.
• Gretel should verify the information in at
• least two sources, then
• Gretel will write the well-known
• information in her own words.
• (3) Gretel must include a bibliographic citation
• on her Works Consulted page.

52
You must choose one of the buttons at the bottom
of the page.Read the situation and then choose
one of the options presented.
Click here to return to previous slide
53
You are correct.In this case, citation is
required.

• Gretel paraphrases the sources idea and content.
  She must give credit to the source.
• She must provide her audience with the source of
  the idea that she borrowed.

54
You are incorrect!Gretel must cite the source of
this information, even though she put it in her
own words.

• Gretel paraphrases the ideas of the source, so
  she must cite the identity of the source.
• Gretel must provide her audience with the source
  of the material that she borrowed.

55

• Test Case 4
• Jacob found a photograph online that shows the
  historical period hes discussing in his paper.
  He wrote his own caption and placed the image on
  the title page.
• What should Jacob do?

• Cite the source.
• This means he will
• Either
• Put the artists name and
• source directly beneath
• the image, or
• List the source in a
• bibliography

Not cite the source. This means that the image
was something that Jacob created without
manipulating other peoples works.
56
You must choose one of the buttons at the bottom
of the page.Read the situation and then choose
one of the options presented.
Click here to return to previous slide
57
You are correct.In this case, citation is
required.

• Jacob uses somebody elses creation therefore,
  he must give credit to the source.
• He must provide his readers with the artists
  name and the source of the image that he borrowed.

58
You are incorrect!Jacob must cite the source of
this image.

• The image is not the creative property of Jacob.
  Therefore, he must cite the identity of the
  creator and the source where he found the image.

59
So, now you can identify what must have a
citationNow you need to know how to use and
cite a source!
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How to Cite a Source

• Its easy. Just provide your audience with the
  source of any ideas or words that are not your
  own.
• First, carefully mark the beginning and end of
  the sources words or idea.
• Then, provide a bibliography to show where the
  borrowed material originated.
• In fact, listing your sources shows your audience
  that you are an informed, well-researched writer!

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How to Cite Direct Quotations

• Provide a bibliographic entry to show where the
  borrowed material originated.
• Park, Beth L. Understanding Ayn Rands Anthem.
  Lebo University Press Pittsburgh, PA, 2008.
• Carefully mark the beginning and end of the
  sources words or idea.
• Use a lead-in to introduce the source
• Use quotation marks to surround the words of the
  source
• Provide the page number (or another citation)
  after the closing quotation marks.
• EXAMPLE
• According to literary critic Beth L. Parks,
  Equality 7-2521 finds peace through his search
  for the height of his own potential (24).

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How to Cite Paraphrases

• Provide a bibliographic entry to show where the
  borrowed material originated.
• Park, Beth L. Understanding Ayn Rands Anthem.
  Lebo University Press Pittsburgh, PA, 2008.
• Carefully mark the beginning and end of the
  sources material.
• Use a lead-in to introduce the source
• Put the sources original words into your own
  words
• It isnt just about using synonyms to replace
  words.
• You must change the syntax, sentence structure,
  organization of the original.
• If you find yourself just changing a word here or
  there, ask yourself if a direct quotation would
  work. If it would work, then use a direct
  quotation.)
• Provide the page number (or another citation)
  after the closing quotation marks.
• EXAMPLE
• According to literary critic Beth L. Parks,
  Equality 7-2521 separates himself from the
  society by striving to improve the world around
  him (24).

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It can be said in a bunch of different ways
Mark the boundaries
64
It can be said in a bunch of different ways
Mark the boundaries
Bracket the borrowed
65
It can be said in a bunch of different ways
Fence the borders
Mark the boundaries
Bracket the borrowed
66
It can be said in a bunch of different ways
Fence the borders
Mark the boundaries
Bracket the borrowed
Enclose the borrowed
67
It can be said in a bunch of different ways
Frame the usage
Fence the borders
Mark the boundaries
Bracket the borrowed
Enclose the borrowed
68
It can be said in a bunch of different ways
Frame the usage
Fence the borders
Mark the boundaries
Bracket the borrowed
Enclose the borrowed
Circumscribe the usage
69
It can be said in a bunch of different ways
Frame the usage
Fence the borders
Mark the boundaries
But, they all mean the same thing Provide a
clear indication of any words or ideas that are
not your own.
Bracket the borrowed
Enclose the borrowed
Circumscribe the usage
70
Can you identify plagiarism when you see it?

• Try the following four examples. On each you
  will see the source material and the students
  usage of that material.
• Use the buttons at the bottom of the screen to
  choose if the example shows acceptable use or
  plagiarism.

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Acceptable Use or Plagiarism?Example 1

• Original source text

• Students Text

In 1990, voters in Pennsylvania were disposed to
believe that the Republican nominee, Barbara
Hafer, opposed abortion rights, and that the
incumbent Democratic governor, Robert Casey,
favored a right to abortion the reverse was
true. In general, Democrats are more likely to
be pro-choice and Republicans pro-life, but
not in this case. A good rule is in general
doesnt necessarily apply to this specific.
Brooks Jackson and Kathleen Hall Jamieson.
Unspun Finding Facts in a World of
Disinformation. (73)
Voters in Pennsylvania believed that the
Republican nominee, Barbara Hafer, opposed
abortion rights, but the Democratic governor,
Robert Casey, favored a right to abortion. But
the reverse was true, even though Democrats are
more likely to be pro-choice. In general
doesnt apply to this specific.
Students Bibliography
No references given.
Acceptable Use
Plagiarism
CHOOSE ONE
72
You must choose one of the buttons at the bottom
of the page.Read the situation and then choose
one of the options presented.
Click here to return to previous slide
73
You said that the example showed Acceptable
UseYou are incorrect.

• Use the arrow at the bottom of this screen to
  return to the example.
• Reread the example and see if you can determine
  why it is plagiarism.

74
You said that the example showed PlagiarismYou
are correct!

• The paraphrase was inadequate and the student did
  not give credit to the source of the idea by
  having a citation.
• To adequately paraphrase, the student must change
  the words and the sentence structure.

75
Acceptable Use or Plagiarism? Example 2

• Original source

• Students Text

In 1954, Albert Hastorf and Hadley Cantril
published a classic study about how a Princeton
and Dartmouth football fans saw a penalty-ridden
game in which the Princeton quarterback was taken
off the field with a broken nose and a mild
concussion and a Dartmouth player later suffered
a broken leg. They found that 86 percent of the
Princeton students said that Dartmouth started
the rough play, but only 36 percent of the
Dartmouth students saw it that way. Brooks
Jackson and Kathleen Hall Jamieson. Unspun
Finding Facts in a World of Disinformation. New
York Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2007. (74)
Psychologists investigated how fans interpreted a
violent game between Princeton and Dartmouth and
found that, although a Dartmouth player was the
seriously injured only after a Princeton player
was, the majority of Dartmouth fans believed
Princeton started the roughness.
Students Bibliography
Brooks Jackson and Kathleen Hall Jamieson.
Unspun Finding Facts in a World of
Disinformation. New York Random House Trade
Paperbacks, 2007.
Acceptable Use
Plagiarism
CHOOSE ONE
76
You must choose one of the buttons at the bottom
of the page.Read the situation and then choose
one of the options presented.
Click here to return to previous slide
77
You said that the example showed Acceptable
UseYou are incorrect!

• Use the arrow at the bottom of this screen to
  return to the example.
• Reread the example and see if you can determine
  why it is plagiarism.

78
You said that the example showed PlagiarismYou
are correct!

• This example is plagiarism because the student
  neglected to include a parenthetical reference in
  the text of the paper.
• She correctly marks the opening boundary of the
  paraphrase with her phrase Psychologists
  investigated
• However, she does not provide the closing
  boundary by giving a parenthetical reference to
  the source material started the roughness
  (Brooks, 74).

79
Acceptable Use or Plagiarism? Example 3

• Original text from the source

• Students Text

A psychology professor in California researched
the theory that if people were provided a reason
to do something, they would be more likely to do
it. At a bake sale, he tried to sell cookies by
asking Would you like to buy a cookie? and
later asked Would you like to buy a cookie?
Its for a good cause. When he provided a
reason for the sale, people were six times more
like to buy a cookie even though they didnt
know what cause was benefitting (80).
Robert Levine, a psychology professor at
California State University, Fresno, tried
different pitches during a campus bake sale.
Asking Would you like to buy a cookie? resulted
in purchases by only two out of thirty passersby.
But his researchers sold six times as many
cookies when they asked, Would you like to buy a
cookie? Its for a good cause. And none even
bothered to ask what the good cause was.
Brooks Jackson and Kathleen Hall Jamieson.
Unspun Finding Facts in a World of
Disinformation. New York Random House Trade
Paperbacks, 2007. (80)
Students Bibliography
Brooks Jackson and Kathleen Hall Jamieson.
Unspun Finding Facts in a World of
Disinformation. New York Random House Trade
Paperbacks, 2007.
Acceptable Use
Plagiarism
CHOOSE ONE
80
You must choose one of the buttons at the bottom
of the page.Read the situation and then choose
one of the options presented.
Click here to return to previous slide
81
You said that the example showed Acceptable
UseYou are correct!

• The student adequately paraphrases by changing
  the words and the syntax. He provides the source
  in his bibliography.

82
You said that the example showed PlagiarismYou
are incorrect!

• Use the arrow at the bottom of this screen to
  return to the example.
• Reread the example and see if you can determine
  why it is fair use.

83
So, to review

• Plagiarism is a serious offense. Not only does
  it carry heavy penalties, but your integrity is
  damaged when you plagiarize.
• Plagiarism is easily avoidablejust cite the
  sources when you use the words or ideas of
  another person.
• If you have any questions, see your teacher or
  school librarian!

84
Final Directions

• Your teacher has a written quiz for you to take
  on the subject of plagiarism.
• Your teacher also has a honor code sheet. You
  will sign it in order to verify that you have
  receive this training.
• You will then have your parent sign the honor
  code.
• Your English teacher will collect these signed
  forms.

85
Sources Consulted

• DeSena, Laura Hennessey. Preventing Plagiarism
  Tips and Techniques. National Council of
  Teachers of English Urbana, IL, 2007.
• Harris, Robert A. The Plagiarism Handbook
  Strategies for Preventing, Detecting, and Dealing
  with Plagiarism. Pyrczak Publishing Los
  Angeles, 2001.
• Valenza, Joyce Kasman. What is Plagiarism? (And
  Why You Should Care). Springfield High School
  Media Center Information Literacy Lessons.
  Springfield School District.