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Was This My Idea?
The very thought that’s always in the back of your mind as you write an essay, incorporating many sources into your own words: did I plagiarize this? Plagiarism is a very scary thought, as most students who are caught for plagiarism are dismissed from the school almost immediately, often without a chance to even explain themselves. All students inevitably wish to avoid any situation remotely similar to this one. Searching the internet and gathering information is often a necessity. Sometimes, it’s really difficult to avoid writing things word for word, but there are a few easy things you need to keep in mind:
When in Doubt, Cite It!
It’s common to use information from the internet or other sources to help you write your essay and support your argument. Arguments that are not your own, however, require a citation. Even if you paraphrase or reword a work by another author, you should reference it properly. If you find a phrase in your essay that you think is a tad suspicious, cite it! Yes, citations are a lot of work, but this work is more than worth it because one tidbit of information that accidentally ends up in your essay could mean expulsion. Adding a citation could prove to be unneeded, but it is better to be sure of having a plagiarism free paper.
Google It!
When you finally complete the paper, Google can be a great tool to see if you accidentally added anything to your essay without citation. Simply copy and paste a phrase into Google, and you’ll quickly be able to see if it is truly your own. If you remember to cite every piece of information that you gathered and check over your essay before handing it in, you’ll have a plagiarism free paper, avoiding a terrible seat before an academic dishonesty committee. Should you need a plagiarism free paper consult AuthorsMania. We’d love to help you out.