READ: Plagiarism Policy

The best way to avoid plagiarism is to keep control of your argument. You should include ideas from other sources only when those ideas add weight to your argument. Keep the following suggestions in mind when you are using material from other sources:

• Select carefully. Quotations should give weight to your argument. In general, do not select quotations that only repeat points you have already made.

• Be sure to integrate all ideas from other sources into your own discussion. Introduce direct quotations with your own words. After quoting, explain the significance of quotations.

• Avoid quoting more than is needed. Most of the time, brief quotations suffice.

• Use direct quotations only when the author's wording is necessary or particularly effective. Some disciplines discourage direct quotations. Check with your professor.

• If you are using material cited by an author and you do not have the original source, introduce the quotation with a phrase such as "as is quoted in...."

• End citation alone is not sufficient for direct quotations; place all direct quotations within quotation marks. Be sure to copy quotations exactly as they appear.

• To avoid any unintentional failure to cite sources, include all citation information on note cards and in your first draft.

At all times, stay in control of your argument and let your own voice speak for you.