1500 words - Tarek

PLAGIARISM

Definition of Plagiarism

The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (5th ed.) defines plagiarism as follows:

To use another person’s ideas or expressions in your writing without acknowledging the source is to plagiarize. [. . .] At all times during research and writing, guard against the possibility of inadvertent plagiarism by keeping careful notes that distinguish between your own musings and thoughts and the material you gather from others. Forms of plagiarism include the failure to give appropriate acknowledgment when repeating another’s wording or particularly apt phrase, when paraphrasing another’s argument, or when presenting another’s line of thinking. (30)

Plagiarism is a very serious offense. Therefore, if you are uncertain whether your rendering of information might be considered plagiarism, be sure to ask. This is your responsibility.