Rules for Writers

A quick guide to help you avoid plagiarism

What is plagiarism?
Plagiarism is a form of Avoid plagiarism by

academic dishonesty. Like cheating on a test, plagiarism involves using someone elses knowledge without crediting the source or creator of the information.

always citing the information sources that you use in your paper.

When do I need to cite a source?

o If you. o Quote it o Paraphrase it o Summarize it

CITE IT!

Word to the wise

Dont be tempted to add your citations later, enter them as you write your paper.
There is no such thing as borrowing someones ideas in academic writing. Avoid plagiarism by citing your sources.

Quoting
A quote is a line or

section from a work that is written verbatim as it appears in the original work.
You MUST cite

Example from The Hunger Games: What do they do all day,

these people in the Capitol, besides decorating their bodies and waiting around for a new shipment of tributes to roll in and die for their entertainment? (Collins 65).

quotations.

Paraphrasing
When you

paraphrase, you are restating part of a work in YOUR own words. You MUST still cite the original source when you paraphrase.

Example: Katniss wonders what the citizens of the Capitol do with their time, other than find frivolous ways to entertain themselves (Collins 65).

Summarizing
A summary presents the

Example : In The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeens actions challenge the values and beliefs held by the citizens of the Capitol (Collins).

main idea of a work or section in a work. A summary is written in YOUR own words, but the ideas are drawn from another source. You do not always have to cite a summary (although it is advised), but you should include the source on your Works Cited page.

Works Cited
Any sources that you

Example: Works Cited Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic Press, 2008. Print.

cite in the text, MUST be included on your Works Cited page.

How to Cite Sources

o First, find out which documentation style your professor

wants you to use.

In English and humanities courses, you will use MLA style.
o Next, find the right style guide.

Style guides and manuals are available on the Librarys Ready Reference shelf. Or check out the following online guides:

the Librarys Style & Citation Guides page Diana Hackers Research & Documentation Online The OWL at Purdue

RefWorks
o A great way to organize, track, and save your

reference information. o Setting up a RefWorks account:

o
o

Visit the Librarys E-Research page

Click on RefWorks

Getting Started:
o o o o o

Set-up Account at Library Create Folders Import Citations Place Citations in Folders Print Bibliographies

Presented by
Gricel Dominguez St. Thomas University Library July 2012