{"id":2655,"date":"2020-04-27T11:41:01","date_gmt":"2020-04-27T15:41:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev-cu-sites.pantheonsite.io\/library\/?page_id=2655"},"modified":"2025-05-23T11:58:09","modified_gmt":"2025-05-23T15:58:09","slug":"plagiarism","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.clarkson.edu\/library\/research-tools-collections\/guides\/plagiarism\/","title":{"rendered":"Plagiarism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>What is Plagiarism?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Merriam-Webster&#8217;s dictionary <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/plagiarizing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">defines &#8216;plagiarize&#8217;<\/a> as: to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one\u2019s own : use (another\u2019s production) without crediting the source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordions advgb-accordions-693c0d49-b292-438f-b354-7a9b95e878ae advgb-accordion-wrapper\" data-collapsed=\"true\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordion-item advgb-accordion-item\" style=\"margin-bottom:15px\"><div class=\"advgb-accordion-header\" style=\"background-color:#000;color:#eee;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:2px\"><span class=\"advgb-accordion-header-icon\"><svg fill=\"#fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M12,5.83L15.17,9l1.41-1.41L12,3L7.41,7.59L8.83,9L12,5.83z M12,18.17L8.83,15l-1.41,1.41L12,21l4.59-4.59L15.17,15 L12,18.17z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h4 class=\"advgb-accordion-header-title\" style=\"color:inherit\">Types of Plagiarism<\/h4><\/div><div class=\"advgb-accordion-body\" style=\"border-style:solid !important;border-width:1px !important;border-color:undefined !important;border-top:none !important;border-radius:2px !important\">\n<p>Plagiarism is a serious intellectual offense. However, if you are aware of what constitutes plagiarism, and strive to avoid it, there is nothing to be worried about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are four common types of plagiarism:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Direct Plagiarism<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Direct plagiarism occurs when a student copies the work of another author verbatim without citing the source and without using quotation marks. Think \u201cCut-and-Paste\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Self Plagiarism<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Self-plagiarism occurs when a student \u201cRecycles\u201d material from another one of his or her own papers without citing that paper as a source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mosaic Plagiarism<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Mosaic plagiarism occurs when a student \u201cCherry-picks\u201d words, phrases or more general concepts from another source, then finds synonyms or changes the wording slightly, without acknowledging the source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Accidental Plagiarism<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Accidental plagiarism occurs when a student forgets or neglects to properly cite his sources. Not knowing what constitutes plagiarism, making errors in attribution, or simply forgetting still results in an offense.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Avoid Plagiarism<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordions advgb-accordions-5939d4b7-3513-44bb-ad10-089f22b5ba29 advgb-accordion-wrapper\" data-collapsed=\"true\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordion-item advgb-accordion-item\" style=\"margin-bottom:15px\"><div class=\"advgb-accordion-header\" style=\"background-color:#000;color:#eee;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:2px\"><span class=\"advgb-accordion-header-icon\"><svg fill=\"#fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M12,5.83L15.17,9l1.41-1.41L12,3L7.41,7.59L8.83,9L12,5.83z M12,18.17L8.83,15l-1.41,1.41L12,21l4.59-4.59L15.17,15 L12,18.17z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h4 class=\"advgb-accordion-header-title\" style=\"color:inherit\">Ask Yourself:<\/h4><\/div><div class=\"advgb-accordion-body\" style=\"border-style:solid !important;border-width:1px !important;border-color:undefined !important;border-top:none !important;border-radius:2px !important\">\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Did I know this information without having to look it up?&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are there data or images I did not produce?&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is this an idea that is not my own?&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>You Do Not Need to Cite<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your thoughts and your interpretations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Common knowledge\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordions advgb-accordions-6ef8cdc0-ab61-474e-abe6-bbe354e99d6a advgb-accordion-wrapper\" data-collapsed=\"true\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordion-item advgb-accordion-item\" style=\"margin-bottom:15px\"><div class=\"advgb-accordion-header\" style=\"background-color:#000;color:#eee;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:2px\"><span class=\"advgb-accordion-header-icon\"><svg fill=\"#fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M12,5.83L15.17,9l1.41-1.41L12,3L7.41,7.59L8.83,9L12,5.83z M12,18.17L8.83,15l-1.41,1.41L12,21l4.59-4.59L15.17,15 L12,18.17z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h4 class=\"advgb-accordion-header-title\" style=\"color:inherit\">General Tips for Avoiding Plagiarism<\/h4><\/div><div class=\"advgb-accordion-body\" style=\"border-style:solid !important;border-width:1px !important;border-color:undefined !important;border-top:none !important;border-radius:2px !important\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Read the Source in its Entirety&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It\u2019s easy to take something out of context if you only read a portion of it! If you read the entire source, you should have a better understanding of the author\u2019s meaning.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Take Detailed Notes as you Read<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Anytime you note something word-for-word, immediately place it in quotation marks.&nbsp;Also note what page or section you found it on.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>On each page, make sure you note the original source and the date you accessed the source.&nbsp;This will make citation much easier, especially if you are working with multiple sources or doing research over a long stretch of time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Try not to mix your own thoughts and commentary with excerpts from your source.&nbsp;Keep them on separate pages, draw two columns on your page, or switch your pen color.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you find it difficult to take notes with electronic sources \u2013 or if you find yourself drawn to the copy-paste method \u2013 print out your sources and deal with them in print form.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Consult with the Experts<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you need a second opinion, ask!&nbsp;&nbsp;Ask a librarian, the Writing Center, or your professor.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>You Should Cite When<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Referring to a source and stating someone else\u2019s opinions, thoughts, ideas, or research<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Using an image or media file that you did not create<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u200b<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/libapps\/accounts\/139\/images\/when_in_doubt.png\" alt=\"When in doubt, cite it\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordions advgb-accordions-aa589d46-fd10-4851-9df5-a829449fdf85 advgb-accordion-wrapper\" data-collapsed=\"true\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordion-item advgb-accordion-item\" style=\"margin-bottom:15px\"><div class=\"advgb-accordion-header\" style=\"background-color:#000;color:#eee;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:2px\"><span class=\"advgb-accordion-header-icon\"><svg fill=\"#fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M12,5.83L15.17,9l1.41-1.41L12,3L7.41,7.59L8.83,9L12,5.83z M12,18.17L8.83,15l-1.41,1.41L12,21l4.59-4.59L15.17,15 L12,18.17z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h4 class=\"advgb-accordion-header-title\" style=\"color:inherit\">Options for Referring to a Source<\/h4><\/div><div class=\"advgb-accordion-body\" style=\"border-style:solid !important;border-width:1px !important;border-color:undefined !important;border-top:none !important;border-radius:2px !important\">\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Directly Quoting&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Paraphrase<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Summarizing<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDepending on the conventions of your discipline, you may have to decide whether to summarize a source, paraphrase a source, or quote from a source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scholars in the humanities tend to summarize, paraphrase, and quote texts; social scientists and natural scientists rely primarily on summary and paraphrase.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/usingsources.fas.harvard.edu\/summarizing-paraphrasing-and-quoting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Summarizing, Paraphrasing, and Quoting<\/a> from the Harvard Guide to Using Sources<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordions advgb-accordions-142165c2-d10e-415f-8d8e-80892ec319d1 advgb-accordion-wrapper\" data-collapsed=\"true\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordion-item advgb-accordion-item\" style=\"margin-bottom:15px\"><div class=\"advgb-accordion-header\" style=\"background-color:#000;color:#eee;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:2px\"><span class=\"advgb-accordion-header-icon\"><svg fill=\"#fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M12,5.83L15.17,9l1.41-1.41L12,3L7.41,7.59L8.83,9L12,5.83z M12,18.17L8.83,15l-1.41,1.41L12,21l4.59-4.59L15.17,15 L12,18.17z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h4 class=\"advgb-accordion-header-title\" style=\"color:inherit\">What is a Direct Quotation?<\/h4><\/div><div class=\"advgb-accordion-body\" style=\"border-style:solid !important;border-width:1px !important;border-color:undefined !important;border-top:none !important;border-radius:2px !important\">\n<p>\u201cMust be identical to the original, using a narrow segment of the source. They must match the source document word for word and must be attributed to the original author.\u201d &nbsp;Purdue University Online Writing Lab. (2012).&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/owl.purdue.edu\/owl\/research_and_citation\/using_research\/quoting_paraphrasing_and_summarizing\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Use It<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If summarizing or paraphrasing cannot capture the essence or meaning of the text&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To retain a specific or unique phrasing used by the source\u2019s author<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you are analyzing the text itself (often in English or language classes)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Be Advised<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Most of the time when you cite a source, you want to summarize or paraphrase. Direct quotations should be used sparingly when the situation meets the criteria above.&nbsp;When you do use direct quotations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do not take the quote out of context. The author\u2019s meaning should not change.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be sure to integrate multiple sources within your text. You don\u2019t want to have a paper or a passage that seems to have come only from one source, with little original text from you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use transitions to make sure your quote adds to your paper without interrupting its flow.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to Cite a Direct Quotation<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Place&nbsp;quotation marks&nbsp;around the entire word-for-word passage, whether it\u2019s a phrase or a sentence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Attribute with an&nbsp;in-text citation; most citation styles request that you provide a&nbsp;page or paragraph number&nbsp;when directly citing. &nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If your quotation is longer, check with your citation style guide to see if additional formatting is necessary (block quotations, for example). &nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordions advgb-accordions-9517b6f9-170d-44d1-b065-ab6580020003 advgb-accordion-wrapper\" data-collapsed=\"true\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordion-item advgb-accordion-item\" style=\"margin-bottom:15px\"><div class=\"advgb-accordion-header\" style=\"background-color:#000;color:#eee;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:2px\"><span class=\"advgb-accordion-header-icon\"><svg fill=\"#fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M12,5.83L15.17,9l1.41-1.41L12,3L7.41,7.59L8.83,9L12,5.83z M12,18.17L8.83,15l-1.41,1.41L12,21l4.59-4.59L15.17,15 L12,18.17z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h4 class=\"advgb-accordion-header-title\" style=\"color:inherit\">What is Paraphrasing?<\/h4><\/div><div class=\"advgb-accordion-body\" style=\"border-style:solid !important;border-width:1px !important;border-color:undefined !important;border-top:none !important;border-radius:2px !important\">\n<p>&#8220;Whenever you paraphrase, remember these two points:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You must provide a reference.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The paraphrase must be in your own words. You must do more than merely substitute phrases here and there. You must also create your own sentence structures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Finding new words for ideas that are already well expressed can be hard, but changing words should not be your chief aim anyway. Focus, rather, on filtering the ideas through your own understanding.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uc.utoronto.ca\/paraphrase\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">When should I paraphrase, and when should I summarize?<\/a> University of Toronto Writing Centre handout<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Paraphrasing is \u201cyour own rendition of essential information and ideas expressed by someone else, presented in a new form.\u201d&nbsp;Purdue University Online Writing Lab. (2012).&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/owl.purdue.edu\/owl\/research_and_citation\/using_research\/quoting_paraphrasing_and_summarizing\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/libapps\/accounts\/139\/images\/paraphrasing.png\" alt=\"When paraphrasing, you must change both the sentence structure and the language of the original text\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Use it<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cWhen the wording is less important than the meaning of the source\u201d&nbsp;University of Houston-Victoria Student Success Center (n.d.). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uhv.edu\/curriculum-student-achievement\/student-success\/student-resources\/a-d\/decide-when-to-quote-paraphrase-and-summarize\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Decide when to Quote, Paraphrase &amp; Summarize<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If a summary would not provide enough specific details<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to Cite&nbsp;Paraphrasing<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Attribute with an in-text citation; some citation styles request that you provide a page or paragraph number whenever available.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When paraphrasing, you must change both the sentence structure and language of the original text. &nbsp;Therefore, since you will be changing the text, you do NOT need quotation marks around your paraphrase.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Additional Resources<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/owl.purdue.edu\/owl\/research_and_citation\/using_research\/quoting_paraphrasing_and_summarizing\/paraphrasing.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Purdue OWL: Paraphrasing<\/a> &#8211; includes 6 steps to effective paraphrasing and examples.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/usingsources.fas.harvard.edu\/summarizing-paraphrasing-and-quoting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Summarizing, Paraphrasing, and Quoting<\/a> &#8211; from the Harvard Guide to Using Sources<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/guides.lib.uconn.edu\/understandcitations\/integrating\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Quoting, Paraphrasing, Summarizing<\/a> &#8211; from the University of Connecticut Understand Citations library guide<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordions advgb-accordions-29c1eec9-1a81-43af-a660-aeb0dc0103fb advgb-accordion-wrapper\" data-collapsed=\"true\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordion-item advgb-accordion-item\" style=\"margin-bottom:15px\"><div class=\"advgb-accordion-header\" style=\"background-color:#000;color:#eee;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:2px\"><span class=\"advgb-accordion-header-icon\"><svg fill=\"#fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M12,5.83L15.17,9l1.41-1.41L12,3L7.41,7.59L8.83,9L12,5.83z M12,18.17L8.83,15l-1.41,1.41L12,21l4.59-4.59L15.17,15 L12,18.17z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h4 class=\"advgb-accordion-header-title\" style=\"color:inherit\">What is a Summary?<\/h4><\/div><div class=\"advgb-accordion-body\" style=\"border-style:solid !important;border-width:1px !important;border-color:undefined !important;border-top:none !important;border-radius:2px !important\">\n<p>\u201cInvolves putting the main idea(s) into your own words, including only the main point(s)\u2026. Summaries are significantly shorter than the original and take a broad overview of the source material.\u201d &nbsp;Purdue University Online Writing Lab. (2012). &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/owl.purdue.edu\/owl\/research_and_citation\/using_research\/quoting_paraphrasing_and_summarizing\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Summary moves much further than paraphrase from point-by-point translation. When you summarize a passage, you need first to absorb the meaning and then to capture in your own words the most important elements from the original passage. A summary is necessarily shorter than a paraphrase.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uc.utoronto.ca\/paraphrase\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">When should I paraphrase, and when should I summarize?<\/a> University of Toronto Writing Centre handout<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Use it<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To provide necessary background information for your audience<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When broad, concise information will suffice&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to Cite a Summary&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Attribute with an&nbsp;in-text citation; some citation styles request that you provide a&nbsp;page or paragragh number&nbsp;whenever available.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You should not be using any word-for-word quotations or language unique to the source, so you do NOT need quotation marks around your summary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Additional Resources<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul id=\"s-lg-link-list-44407\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/usingsources.fas.harvard.edu\/summarizing-paraphrasing-and-quoting\">Summarizing, Quoting, and Paraphrasing<\/a><span style=\"font-size: revert; background-color: initial;\"> &#8211; f<\/span><span style=\"background-color: initial; font-size: revert;\">rom the Harvard Guide to Using Sources<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/guides.lib.uconn.edu\/understandcitations\/integrating\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Quoting, Paraphrasing, Summarizing<\/a> &#8211; from the University of Connecticut Understand Citations library guide<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uhv.edu\/curriculum-student-achievement\/student-success\/student-resources\/a-d\/decide-when-to-quote-paraphrase-and-summarize\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Decide when to Quote, Paraphrase &amp; Summarize<\/a> &#8211; from the University of Houston-Victoria Student Success Center<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordions advgb-accordions-7d47362b-4bac-45c9-93fd-bb0911e93fdf advgb-accordion-wrapper\" data-collapsed=\"true\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordion-item advgb-accordion-item\" style=\"margin-bottom:15px\"><div class=\"advgb-accordion-header\" style=\"background-color:#000;color:#eee;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:2px\"><span class=\"advgb-accordion-header-icon\"><svg fill=\"#fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M12,5.83L15.17,9l1.41-1.41L12,3L7.41,7.59L8.83,9L12,5.83z M12,18.17L8.83,15l-1.41,1.41L12,21l4.59-4.59L15.17,15 L12,18.17z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h4 class=\"advgb-accordion-header-title\" style=\"color:inherit\">What is Common Knowledge?<\/h4><\/div><div class=\"advgb-accordion-body\" style=\"border-style:solid !important;border-width:1px !important;border-color:undefined !important;border-top:none !important;border-radius:2px !important\">\n<p>It doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that most people would know it offhand. And sometimes it\u2019s a judgment call because what seems like common knowledge to one person isn\u2019t to another. Here are good rules of thumb:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you can find the same information in multiple places, stated in relatively the same way, it\u2019s common knowledge&nbsp;<em>(Generally, it is said that you should find the information three to five sources)<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If most people are aware of this fact, or if it\u2019s general reference, it\u2019s common knowledge<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>CAUTION: &nbsp;Opinions and unique terminology\/phrasing do not qualify as common knowledge.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is Plagiarism? Merriam-Webster&#8217;s dictionary defines &#8216;plagiarize&#8217; as: to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one\u2019s own : use (another\u2019s production) without crediting the source. How to Avoid Plagiarism<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":56,"featured_media":0,"parent":1195,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/right-sidebarpage.php","meta":{"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2655","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Plagiarism - University Libraries<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.clarkson.edu\/library\/research-tools-collections\/guides\/plagiarism\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Plagiarism - University Libraries\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What is Plagiarism? Merriam-Webster&#8217;s dictionary defines &#8216;plagiarize&#8217; as: to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one\u2019s own : use (another\u2019s production) without crediting the source. 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