Plagiarism involves presenting others' work as your own by copying text or ideas without citing the original creator. It can be intentional or unintentional. Plagiarism has serious consequences like dismissal from school and damaged reputations. Students should avoid plagiarizing by using strategies like quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing sources, and always citing information that is not their own or considered common knowledge.

1. What is plagiarism? (And why you should care!) Presented by Ms. Hennessy Library Information Specialist Taken from: Power Tools Recharged by Joyce Kasman Valenza (2004).

3. I sometimes copy from a friend’s work. I sometimes copy and paste blocks of text from electronic sources without giving credit to the author. I sometimes “borrow” photos, clip art, and video clips from websites without acknowledging the creator. I usually change a few words if I borrow from the work of another person when presenting it as my own. Consider these scenarios...

6. Lots of excuses… It’s okay if I don’t get caught! I was too busy to write that paper! (Job, big game, too much homework!) My teachers expect too much! I’ve got to get into ??? U.! My parents expect “A”s! This assignment was BORING! Everyone does it! No one gets caught!

13. So how do I avoid plagiarizing?

20. Do I have to cite everything?

25. Ask if you need help… That’s what we’re here for!