This document provides guidance on how to properly summarize sources to avoid plagiarism. It outlines several key steps: taking notes on key words and ideas rather than full sentences; paraphrasing by putting notes in your own words without copying; and citing sources. Quotes should only be used for direct examples or when the author expresses an idea better than you can. Common knowledge does not need to be cited but unique ideas do. To summarize properly, take notes, write a rough draft paraphrasing, check for accurate paraphrasing, and cite all sources in the bibliography.

1. Summarize, Don't PlagiarizeSummarize, Don't Plagiarize
Taking notes andTaking notes and
paraphrasingparaphrasing
Developed by L. Gorvett, with a lot of help (see Bibliography) for the
Waterloo Catholic District School Board. Spring 2011

2. Plagiarism happens if…Plagiarism happens if…
Whether the information came from a
bookbook, a databasedatabase, the internet,internet, or an e-e-
mailmail and whether or not it is a factfact, a
graphgraph, or a picturepicture, you must give
proper credit to the original author or
source.
You use another person’s words,You use another person’s words,
ideas or work without giving properideas or work without giving proper
credit to the original owner.credit to the original owner.

3. It is plagiarism if…
You cut words, sentences or images
from an internet site and paste them
directly into your work without giving
proper credit.
If you copy
words
directly, use
quotation
marks

4. Note-taking for ResearchNote-taking for Research
OWrite just key wordskey words and ideas,ideas, not
full sentences
OUse a pencil or penpencil or pen – don’t cut and
paste
ODon't forget to listlist where the key
words and ideas came from
OThese are your notesnotes
O ParaphraseParaphrase from your notes

5. Paraphrasing Steps
1.1. ReadRead the material (book/website)
carefully
2.2. WriteWrite down just key words and ideas,
and set the original material aside
3.3. Paraphrase:Paraphrase: Using your notes,
change what you read into new words.
Hint: It has to sound like YOU, and not the
original writer
4.4. CheckCheck to be sure you have not copied

6. How to Format your Index
Card
• Take your notes here.
• Use keyword and phrases.
• Do not use complete sentences.
o Take notes here.
o And here . ..
Cite your source here
Write a Heading Here

7. Stock Character resources
O http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_stock_characters
O http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Mai
n/StockCharacters?
from=Main.StockCharacter

8. Step 1: ReadStep 1: Read
“A small, glowing green Australian
jumping spider hunts big game. After
a mighty four-inch leap, it sinks its
fangs into a dragonfly’s neck. Even if
this huge insect takes off, the spider
hangs on until its venom works and
the dragonfly makes a crash landing.”
(Facklam, p.26)
Try this...Try this...

9. StepStep 2a2a
Identify key wordsIdentify key words
“A small, glowing green Australian
jumping spiderjumping spider hunts big game.
After a mighty four-inch leapfour-inch leap, it
sinks its fangsfangs into a dragonfly’s
neck. Even if this huge insecthuge insect
takes off, the spider hangs on until
its venomvenom works and the dragonfly
makes a crash landing.” (Facklam,
p.26)

10. StepStep 2b:2b:
Write down key wordsWrite down key words
OJumping spiders
O4” leaps
OCatch bigger insects
Ouses fangs, venom
These are your NOTES. You write
them (using a pencil or pen) in your
research grid or on note cards

11. Step 3:Step 3:
Paraphrase from your notesParaphrase from your notes
Jumping spiders are amazing! They
can catch insects much bigger than
themselves by using their fangs and
venom. These spiders can jump at
least 4 inches in distance to nab
their prey.(Facklam, p.26)
O Jumping spiders
O 4 in. leaps
O Catch bigger insects
O uses fangs, venom

12. Step 4: CheckStep 4: Check
1. Did you capture the author's message?
2. Did you use your own words and
sentence structure?
3. Did you list the source for your
bibliography?
Look again at the original source.
Ask yourself the following questions:

13. Step 4: CheckStep 4: Check
Paraphrase
Jumping spiders are
amazing! They can
catch insects much
bigger than themselves
by using their fangs
and venom. These
spiders can jump at
least 4 inches in
distance to nab their
prey.(Facklam, p.26)
Original
“A small, glowing green
Australian jumping
spider hunts big game.
After a mighty four-inch
leap, it sinks its fangs
into a dragonfly’s neck.
Even if this huge insect
takes off, the spider
hangs on until its venom
works and the dragonfly
makes a crash landing.”
(Facklam, p.26)

14. Quoting
O Using someone else’s words without
putting the words in quotes is plagiarism
O Use quotes when you present examples
of an author’s style.
O Use quotes when you just can’t say it
better yourself.
O Don't forget to cite the source in your
bibliography

15. Common Knowledge
O You must give credit to all uniqueunique
ideasideas others have thought up.
O An obvious idea, or common
knowledge, doesn’t have to be credited.
O If you're not sure if something is
common knowledge (something pretty
much everyone knows), then cite your
source.

16. To summarize:
O Take handwritten noteshandwritten notes as you do
your research
O Don’t Cut and Paste
O Write ideas you borrow in your own words
O Only quote when the author says it better than
you can!
O Write a rough draftrough draft, using your notes
O Double-checkDouble-check to be sure that you
have paraphrased properly.
O Write a final draftfinal draft.
O Don't forget to cite all your sourcescite all your sources

17. Bibliography
 This PowerPoint is largely adapted from a PowerPoint Presentation:
“Summarize, Don't Plagiarize” created by Judy Bryson, Librarian of Frisbie
Middle School.
http://frisbie.rialtoschools.org/groups/fms-library-calendar--newsAccessed 13
October 2009
 Additional ideas from “Plagiarism”, A PowerPoint presentation created by
Michael Lorenzen September 2003. Accessed June 11, 2010.
http://www.libraryinstruction.com/lessons.html
 Additional ideas from “Cite Your Stuff”, a PowerPoint presentation created by
Gayle Bushell for the WCDSB Resource Centre, 2005.
 Clipart: Free Clipart by Philip Martin.
http://languagearts.phillipmartin.info/la_plagiarism.htm Accessed June 15,
2010.
 Facklam, Margery. Spiders and their webs. Boston: Little, Brown, and Co.,
2001.
 Academic Honesty in Research: Intermediate guide. WCDSB. Created
November 2008 by Carol Devries.
 Ontario. Ministry of Education. ThinkLiteracy: Cross-Curricular Approaches,
Grades 7 – 12, especially pages 60 - 62 and poster on page 100..
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/studentsuccess/thinkliteracy/files/Reading.pdf
Accessed June 10, 2010.
 “Four Paraphrasing steps” are adapted from Rine, Carol. No Plagiarism Please.
Beacon Lesson Plan Library
http://www.beaconlearningcenter.com/Lessons/351.htm. Accessed June 10,
2010.