When writing a paper for any class, Do Not Plagiarize!

What is Plagiarism?

Webster's dictionary gives the following definition:

Plagiarize:  to take ideas, writings, etc. from another and pass them off as one's own.

This simply means copying another person's work, whether it is a published author or a friend of yours who is doing the same assignment in class.

Plagiarism is not only unethical, it is actually illegal.

So, what can happen if you copy somebody else's work and claim that it is your own?  It all depends on the situation. 

Here are some things that can and do happen:

1.  You receive a "zero" grade for your paper.

2.  You fail the entire class.

3.  You can get kicked out of school at the college level.

4.  If your writing is for your job, you can get fired.

5.  A person's professional reputation can be destroyed.

6.  If serious enough, you can be put on trial and if convicted receive a large fine and/or serve time in prison.

Here is the bottom line:

Do not copy from a book, the internet, a magazine, or even your friend's answers without giving full credit to the writer.

This is called documentation - when you give proper credit to the actual author. (See my webpage on citing your sources as documentation).

Do not cut and paste - this is another form of copying and cheating.

When you get information for a report, put it in your own words. (And still document your source).

It is only common sense that you cannot do a research paper and write about the topic without using the work of another author.  The point is that you must give credit to the author you got the information from. 

Don't Plagiarize!!