Don’t plagiarize! How to cite correctly in academic writing

Summary

This video explains the importance of understanding and avoiding plagiarism in academic settings. It provides a clear definition of plagiarism, emphasizes the consequences of both intentional and accidental plagiarism, and introduces citation techniques to properly credit others' work. The instructor demonstrates how to use signal phrases, in-text citations, and paraphrasing to avoid plagiarism. Different citation styles, such as APA and MLA, are discussed, along with when citations are not needed. The video encourages students to practice citation techniques and provides resources for further learning.

Takeaways

• 📚 Plagiarism is using someone else's words, ideas, or research without proper credit, and it can have serious academic consequences.
• 💡 Giving proper credit involves citing the original source, which shows when you're using your own ideas versus someone else’s.
• 📝 A citation typically includes the author's last name, the year the work was published, and sometimes the page number if you're quoting directly.
• 🔄 Paraphrasing means restating someone else's idea in your own words, and it still requires proper citation.
• 📑 Different academic fields use different citation styles, such as APA, MLA, and Chicago style, and the professor will specify which one to use.
• 📖 An in-text citation might look like: 'According to Ferguson et al. (2022)', followed by a paraphrase or direct quote with the relevant details.
• 🔍 When using a direct quote, it's necessary to include quotation marks and the specific page number where the quote was found.
• ✅ Common knowledge or personal experiences don't need citations, but if you're unsure, it's better to include a citation to avoid plagiarism.
• 📄 At the end of any academic work, you must provide a bibliography, reference list, or works cited page that gives full details of the sources you've cited.
• 🌐 Websites like Purdue OWL provide valuable resources on how to properly cite sources and avoid plagiarism in academic settings.

Q & A

What is plagiarism?

Plagiarism is the act of using or talking about someone else's words, ideas, research, or work without giving proper credit, especially in academic or research settings.

Why is plagiarism considered serious in Western educational institutions?

Plagiarism is considered serious because it involves taking credit for someone else's work, which can lead to severe consequences like expulsion or failing a class.

How can one avoid plagiarism?

One can avoid plagiarism by using citations to give proper credit to the original authors of ideas, research, or words used in their work.

What is a citation and why is it important?

A citation is a reference that acknowledges the source of an idea, research, or quote used in one's work. It is important to give credit to the original author and to avoid plagiarism.

What does 'proper credit' mean in the context of plagiarism?

'Proper credit' means acknowledging the original source of an idea or information by using citations in a specific format required by academic institutions.

What is the difference between a signal phrase and an in-text citation?

A signal phrase is a sentence structure that introduces the cited work, while an in-text citation is a brief reference within the text that includes the author's last name and the year of publication.

Can you provide an example of how to cite a source in APA style?

In APA style, you can cite a source in the text as '(Ferguson et al., 2022)' and in the reference list as 'Ferguson, A. B., & Colleagues. (2022). Title of the article. Journal Name, volume(issue), page range.'

What is common knowledge and why is it not usually cited?

Common knowledge refers to information that is widely known and accepted, such as historical facts or well-known locations. It is not usually cited because it does not require attribution to a specific source.

What should one do if they are unsure whether they need to cite a piece of information?

If unsure whether to cite a piece of information, it is recommended to err on the side of caution and provide a citation, or consult with a professor or a writing center for guidance.

What are the potential consequences of not citing properly in academic writing?

The potential consequences of not citing properly include accusations of plagiarism, which can lead to receiving a failing grade, being expelled from school, or damaging one's academic reputation.

How can one learn more about proper citation practices?

One can learn more about proper citation practices by consulting style guides, using resources like the Purdue OWL website, or seeking help from a writing center or professor.