When writing, giving a presentation, or creating an online document,
it is essential that you either:

* Use your own ideas.

or

* Give proper credit when using the ideas, images, or creations of others.

Failure to do so (plagiarism) is unethical and can result in significant penalties.

(See UNI Academic Ethics/Discipline - http://www.uni.edu/president/policies/301.shtml [1])

 

Think before you write --  Think Twice Before You Plagiarize!

A few simple practices can help you avoid plagiarism.

1. Start your projects early [2].

2. Get feedback from others before your project is finished.

3. Work with the professionals on campus –

          * The UNIWritingCenter - http://www.uni.edu/unialc/writingcenter/ [3]

          * The UNI Library - http://www.library.uni.edu/ask-us-research-help [4]

          * Your Professor

4. Understand what is considered plagiarism – ignorance is not bliss.  There are a number of very good academic websites that define plagiarism.  These sites also provide examples of what is and isn’t plagiarism –

* “Avoiding Cut and Paste Plagiarism with Citations”  (from Plagiarism Tutorial for    Students – PennStateUniversity) http://tlt.its.psu.edu/plagiarism/tutorial/cutpaste [5]

* “How to Avoid Plagiarism” (from Undergraduate Academic Conduct Committee – Northwestern University) http://www.northwestern.edu/uacc/plagiar.html [6]

* “Is It Plagiarism Yet?” (from Avoiding Plagiarism – The OWL at PurdueUniversity)
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/02/ [7]

* “Plagiarism”  (from The WritingCenter – University of North Carolina)
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/ [8]

* “Plagiarism: What It is and How to Recognize and Avoid It” (from Writing Tutorial Services – Indiana University) http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml [9]

* “Quoting and Paraphrasing Sources” (from The Writing Center – University of Wisconsin) http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/QPA_plagiarism.html [10]

* “Safe Practices” (from Avoiding Plagiarism – The OWL at Purdue University)
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/03/ [11]

 

5. When it’s time to do the Write thing - - do the Right thing! 
Your professors have read thousands of papers and are very quick to spot plagiarism.