1. Department of English
Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University
Date: 3rd April 2024
Sem 4। Batch 2022-24
Research Methodology
Presentation on
Forms of Plagiarism
Presented by Gayatri Nimavat
3. Introduction
Plagiarism, the act of presenting someone else's work or ideas as one's own, is a serious
offense in academic and professional settings. It undermines the principles of intellectual
honesty, ethical conduct, and the advancement of knowledge.
As the topic of forms of plagiarism, it is crucial to understand the various ways in which
plagiarism can manifest itself. From verbatim copying to paraphrasing without attribution,
from self-plagiarism to ghostwriting, each form of plagiarism poses a unique challenge to
academic integrity. Recognizing and addressing these forms is essential for maintaining the
integrity of scholarly work and fostering an environment of ethical research and writing
practices.
4. What is Plagiarism
The word Plagiarism is derived from the Latin word plagiarius ("kidnapper"), to
plagiarize means "to commit literary theft" and to "present as new and original an
idea or product derived from an existing source" (Merriam- Webster's Collegiate
Dictionary). Plagiarism involves two kinds of wrongs. Using another person's
ideas, information, or expressions without acknowledging that person's work
constitutes intellectual theft. Passing off another person's ideas, information, or
expressions as your own to get a better grade or gain some other advantage
constitutes fraud. Plagiarism is sometimes a moral and ethical offense rather than
a legal one since some instances of plagiarism fall outside the scope of copyright
infringement, a legal offense (MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers).
5. Forms of Plagiarism
1. Repeating of Paraphrasing Wording
2. Taking a Particularly Apt Phrase
3. Paraphrasing an Argument or Presenting a Line of Thinking
4. Global or Complete Plagiarism
5. Verbatim or Direct Plagiarism
6. Source-based Plagiarism
7. GhostWriting
8. Self Plagiarism
9. Accidental Plagiarism
6. Repeating of Paraphrasing Wording
Borrowing someone else's words or ideas, but then saying you got them from a different person. You give
credit, but to the wrong source. For example, the sentence "Emily Dickinson firmly believed that we
cannot fully comprehend life unless we also understand death" would be considered plagiarism
without proper attribution.
Citing the source allows you to state the idea as: "Wendy Martin, in the Columbia Literary History
of the United States (625), argues that Emily Dickinson firmly believed that we cannot fully
comprehend life unless we also understand death." This MLA formatted citation includes the
author's name ("Wendy Martin") and the page number (625) within parentheses at the sentence's
end. The reader can then find the corresponding entry in the "Works Cited" list at the paper's
conclusion. (MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers).
7. Taking a Particularly Apt Phrase
When someone uses a phrase made by another author. For example, The term "languaculture" emphasizes the intertwined
nature of language and culture, as explored by Michael Agar in "Language Shock: Understanding the Culture of
Conversation" (60). It's important to cite the source when using this term to avoid plagiarism, as it's a specific concept
developed by another author.
For instance, the sentence "The concept of 'languaculture' highlights the connection between language and culture" would
be considered plagiarism without proper attribution. However, citing the source allows you to state: "'Languaculture' is a
term used by Michael Agar (60) to describe the intersection of language and culture." This MLA formatted citation includes
the author's name ("Michael Agar") and the page number (60) within parentheses, helping readers find the full reference in
the "Works Cited" list. (MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers).
8. Paraphrasing an Argument or Presenting a Line of Thinking
Failing to cite someone else's ideas, even if rephrased, constitutes plagiarism. For example, Humanity
faces a dramatic shift, according to Alvin Toffler in "The Third Wave" (10). He argues we're on the verge of
the most significant social and cultural transformation ever experienced, essentially building a new
civilization from scratch.
Toffler identifies two prior major waves of change throughout history. The first, the agricultural revolution,
stretched over thousands of years. The second, the rise of industrial civilization, condensed into a century.
However, the pace of change appears to be accelerating. Toffler predicts this "Third Wave" will be swift,
potentially completing itself within a few decades. It's crucial to cite Toffler when discussing these
historical revolutions and the predicted "Third Wave" to avoid plagiarism, as these concepts are central to
his work. (MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers).
9. Global or Complete Plagiarism
Global plagiarism is the most severe form, where you present someone else's complete
work (article, essay, poem, etc.) as your own. (D, Deeptanshu et al)
This can involve submitting another author's work without any attribution, essentially claiming
their intellectual property.
Global plagiarism is readily detectable and carries harsh consequences, ranging from failing
grades to legal issues depending on the copyrighted nature of the work.
10. Verbatim or Direct Plagiarism
Copying someone else's words directly into your work without quotation marks or citing the source.
This includes even minor changes like swapping a few words. (D, Deeptanshu et al.)
It's considered a serious academic offense because it undermines intellectual honesty and gives
you credit for someone else's work.
When using another's exact words, enclose them in quotation marks and provide an in-text citation
(author, year) after the quote.
11. Source-based Plagiarism
Copying word-for-word from a source without using quotation marks or providing a citation is
considered direct plagiarism (Lipson).
Rephrasing or rewording someone else's ideas or information without acknowledging the original
source is a form of source-based plagiarism (Roig).
Neglecting to properly cite sources, even when using one's own words, is considered plagiarism
as it fails to give credit to the original authors (Sowden).
Reusing one's own previously published or submitted work without proper citation and
acknowledgment is known as self-plagiarism, which is also considered a form of source-based
plagiarism (Roig).
12. GhostWriting
Ghostwriting can be a form of plagiarism, depending on the level of transparency and
authorship attribution.
If the credited person has minimal involvement and the ghostwriter's role is concealed, it
becomes plagiarism (Dutta).
Acceptable ghostwriting involves clear contracts outlining authorship and contributions
among writer, client, and publisher. (Grimm)
Ghostwriting is common in certain fields, like celebrity memoirs. However, proper disclosure
is crucial.
13. Self Plagiarism
Self-plagiarism occurs when an author reuses their own words, ideas, or data from a previously published
work without appropriate citation or acknowledgment.
It is considered unethical because it violates the principles of academic integrity and may mislead readers
into thinking that the work is entirely new and original. (Mavrinac et al.)
The extent to which self-plagiarism is acceptable or unacceptable depends on various factors, such as the
field of study, the intended purpose of the reuse, and the specific guidelines or policies of the publisher or
institution (Andreescu).
In some cases, self-plagiarism may be permissible if the reused material is properly cited and the author
has obtained the necessary permissions from the original publisher.
14. Accidental Plagiarism
Accidental plagiarism often occurs due to poor note-taking practices, where writers fail to properly
distinguish their own thoughts from those of others.
It can also result from a lack of understanding of citation conventions or a misunderstanding of what
constitutes plagiarism (Wilhoit).
Paraphrasing or quoting without proper attribution is a common form of accidental plagiarism, even if the
writer did not intend to represent the work as their own (Pecorari).
Failure to properly cite sources, either due to carelessness or a lack of knowledge about citation styles,
can lead to accidental plagiarism.
In some cases, accidental plagiarism may result from cultural differences in understanding of intellectual
property and citation practices.
15. Conclusion
In conclusion, the forms of plagiarism we have discussed today highlight the complexity of this
issue. From unintentional errors in citation to deliberate acts of deception, plagiarism takes many
shapes and forms. It is our collective responsibility as scholars, researchers, and professionals to
uphold the highest standards of academic integrity and ethical conduct.
By understanding and addressing these various forms of plagiarism, we can create an
environment that values original thought, promotes proper attribution, and fosters a culture of
respect for intellectual property. Ultimately, by embracing ethical practices and maintaining
vigilance against plagiarism, we can ensure the authenticity and credibility of our work, and
contribute to the continued advancement of knowledge in our respective fields.
16. References
Andreescu, Liviu. “Self-Plagiarism in Academic Publishing: The Anatomy of a Misnomer.” ResearchGet, Science and Engineering
Ethics, November 2012, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233769106_Self-
Plagiarism_in_Academic_Publishing_The_Anatomy_of_a_Misnomer. Accessed 2 April 2024.
Bruton, Sam. “Self-Plagiarism and Textual Recycling: Legitimate Forms of Research Misconduct.” ResearchGat, May 2014,
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259269569_Self-
Plagiarism_and_Textual_Recycling_Legitimate_Forms_of_Research_Misconduct. Accessed 2 April 2024.
D, Deeptanshu, et al. “Plagiarism in Research explained: The complete Guide.” Typeset.io, 22 September 2022,
https://typeset.io/resources/the-only-plagiarism-guide-you-will-need/. Accessed 2 April 2024.
Dutta, Sangita. “Academic Ghost-Writing in India: Situating the Transformations in the University System.” DIALOGUE: Science,
Scientists and Society, 7 December 2023, https://doi.org/10.29195/DSSS.06.01.78. Accessed 2 April 2024.
17. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. Modern Language Association of America, 2009. Accessed 3 April 2024.
Grimm, Charles Clifford. “Ghostwriting as a Critical Lens: Authorship and Attribution in Professional and Academic Contexts.”
ScholarWorks @ GSU, 12 December 2022, https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1287&context=english_diss.
Accessed 2 April 2024.
Lipson, Charles. Doing Honest Work in College: How to Prepare Citations, Avoid Plagiarism, and Achieve Real Academic Success,
Second Edition. University of Chicago Press, 2008.
Mavrinac, Martina, et al. “Construction and Validation of Attitudes Toward Plagiarism Questionnaire.” NCBI,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2897081/. Accessed 2 April 2024.
Pecorari, Diane. “Good and original: Plagiarism and patchwriting in academic second-language writing.” Academia.edu,
https://www.academia.edu/163021/Good_and_original_Plagiarism_and_patchwriting_in_academic_second_language_writing.
Accessed 2 April 2024.
18. Roig, Miguel. “Avoiding plagiarism, self-plagiarism, and other questionable writing practices: A guide to ethical writing.” The Office of
Research Integrity, https://ori.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/plagiarism.pdf. Accessed 3 April 2024.
Sowden, Colin. “Plagiarism and the culture of multilingual students in higher education abroad.” ELT Journal, July 2005,
https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/cci042. Accessed 2 April 2024.
Wilhoit, Stephen. “Helping Students Avoid Plagiarism.” College Teaching, vol. 42, no. 4, 1994, pp.,JSTOR,
https://www.jstor.org/stable/27558679. Accessed 2 April 2024.