Students plagiarizing (copying others' work and submitting it as their own) has been a practice for decades. Thanks to the internet and online communities like Reddit and Quora, it's easier than ever before for students to – copy and paste – others' work.
But many students fail to understand that just like it is easy for them to copy from the internet, it's easy for teachers to find out if you have submitted a copied work. They've got plenty of tools like Copyscape, Check Plagiarism, DupliChecker at their disposal to spot plagiarism.
Copying off the internet may seem like the easy way out – especially if you're struggling with a particular assignment, have missed classes or staring at fast-looming deadlines. However, keep in mind that plagiarism is not only cheating and morally wrong; it can also cause severe consequences on your academic records.
What Are The Dangers Of Copying From The Internet For Schoolwork?
There are several possible consequences like:
- Teachers can mark you as failed on the assignment or course
- Make you lose your grade
- Face suspension from college
- Or even possible dismissal from the college or university
Then, there's the factor – that copying someone else's work means you fail to learn on your own. This has long-term consequences on your academics and subsequent performance in the workplace once you graduate from college.
What Is Considered As Plagiarism?
In simple terms, passing off any words written by someone else without proper citations (giving them due credit) as your own is plagiarism. Plagiarism is of two types:
- Accidental – where you summarize points from a reference book or paper and forget to include a source reference
- Intentional – copy pasting directly off the internet
Both of these are considered plagiarism.
Okay, I get it; plagiarism is wrong. But how do I avoid it? Well, we're glad you asked.
Tips To Make Your Work Plagiarism-Free
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Check Your University’s Style Guide
Your university's style guide has all the info about citing references and plagiarism. It gives you a clear picture of what counts as plagiarism and the right way to cite sources. Use this as your go-to guide whenever you have doubts.
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Make Sure To Cite Your Sources
If your college paper or assignment draws inspiration from others, make sure to mention your source in the proper citation format. Citations are a must for quoting or paraphrasing text and using data and images published on other sites and papers.
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Include Bibliography
When you turn in an essay, make sure to include a complete reference list with all cited sources. This is a great way to ensure that you provide your sources with credit and not pass off their work as your own.
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Use Quotation Marks
When you use phrases or paragraphs directly from another source, enclose them within quotation marks. Additionally, include the page numbers in the bibliography.
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Paraphrase In Your Own Words
It's always better to rephrase something than quote directly. With that said, don't just change a few terms and pass it off as your own.
Finally, getting help from online tutors can help you
avoid plagiarism. Online tutors can help you with challenging coursework and teach you how to improve your grades without resorting to cheating strategies like plagiarism. With that said, make sure to select the right online tutors who have the experience and expertise in your subjects. You can check
online class cheat reviews to identify the best tutors who can lend you their expertise without charging a bomb!
