“Accidental plagiarism that occurs when we unwittingly misrepresent our sources or present their ideas or words without remembering who said it”. It is important to avoid accidental plagiarism by learning how to cite , research and quote correctly. The textbook explains how to avoid accidental plagiarism by:
- Keep careful records throughout your research process.
- Consult with your instructor or reference librarian when you are in doubt about how to cite a source.
- Take thorough notes that document your sources
of researched information, and make it a point to distinguish your own ideas and information from those you derive from your sources. - Record quotations accurately, and always cite your sources when quoting or paraphrasing the words of others.
5. Do not quote or paraphrase others out of context; make sure your use of supporting materials represents the source’s intended meaning.
6. When in doubt, cite your sources. Your listeners will be impressed and it will enhance your ethos as a speaker.
7. Run your completed work through an online plagiarism checker such as Turnitin.com. You can probably do this free of charge through your school’s online resources.
Accidental plagiarism can result in a student failing their course or even being expelled from school.
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