Divinder22, ANYONE could write something in their own words. Check the link I gave a few posts ago, from Univ of Indiana. It says to read the paragraph, cover it, and then write it in your own words. We're not talking about writing a novel here.

And if you can't write something original, don't call yourself a writer. Don't submit articles for publication. 94% of people can't run a triathalon, or fly an airplane, or climb Mt. Everest. So they don't.

Joanie

I've always considered myself a hybrid...

Amen. May this thread and its cause rest in peace.

It won't until people stop posting to it. Guess that means it is an interesting subject to most of us.

Maybe that is why it has been viewed 10,517 times. Not to mention the 192 posts that have been made here. (That has to be close to some kind of record).

As to the cause, it was a just one. Now we all know, or at least have a good idea, what plagiarism is. And, come to think of it, how most of us think it is a wrong thing to do or condone.

Personally I am glad the subject came up. I learned a lot from it. Well, I had a lot of what I already knew reinforced. Not all together a bad thing.

Welcome back, Ron. You have a lot more to offer to the rest of us besides this lesson on plagiarism.

Libby

I had mixed feelings about re-opening this thread but i figured why not. I have just started Uni and we have had a few talks on what constitutes plagiarism and what doesnt, how to reference properly etc.

If you plagiarize then you leave university without a degree, even if it is accidental plagiarism, there is no grey area.

Referencing should be done in one of two ways:
................[text] (Author, Publishing Date)

or

Author (Publishing Date) says .............. [Text]

If you do not do this and the information is similar to that of an author then it can be consituted as plagiarism.
However, this is not all. Even if you have properly cited all references throughout the article you must create a compilation of references at the end which is much more in depth.

Book:
Surname, Initial/s. (Year of Publication) Title of Book: Sub-title, if any (Edition; if other than first). Place of Publication, Publisher.

(Boone, 2006)

Journal Article:
Surname, Initial/s. (Year of Publication) 'Title of Article', Title of Periodical Volume Number Inclusive Page no's of Article.

(Boone, 2006)

Webpage:
Surname, Initials of First Names or Company or Organisation. (Year of Publication) Title of Page: Sub-Title if any. URL, (Accessed Day Month Year)

(URL should not be spread over more than one line.)

(Boone, 2006)
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Also, just a quick excerpt from the guide we were given:

(Paraphrased)

Proper referencing is required even where wording is paraphrased or summarised and tables and charts are modified.

(Boone, 2006)

I hope this helps people when referencing from other peoples work in the future, this system is known as the Harvard System (Boone, 2006)

References:

Boone, J. (2006) Writtle College Referencing Policy and Guideline: Characteristics of 'Good' Referencing' - Summary of Key Points Writtle College, Writtle College

Cheers
Rowan

Thanks for your post documenting proper attribution, Rowan.

This looks like a good point to conclude this thread!

Regards,

Matt