How to
Avoid Plagiarism
How do you avoid plagiarism in a technology era where content creation is at an unprecedented high?
The Concept of Plagiarism
Plagiarism is any unauthorized use of parts or the whole of any work without giving proper credit to the original creator. Unethical copying of any work is considered theft, and therefore it takes away the originality and trustworthiness of the content.
For a more in-depth breakdown of plagiarism, check out our What Is Plagiarism page.
Copyleaks FYI
reasons for plagiarism,
accidental or not, is that
someone was stressed due
to a deadline and poor
time management.
What are the Harmful Effects of Plagiarism?
The effects of plagiarism vary from ethical, professional, personal, and even legal. For example, plagiarism can ruin professional writing careers, academic records, and accreditations of publications and businesses. But that’s just the start.
Let’s dive into the list of the adverse effects of plagiarism.
1. Impact on Student Reputation
Educational institutions take student plagiarism seriously, accidental or not. Once caught, students may be warned by the authorities or suffer further action, including suspension, expulsion, failing grades, and losing credibility.
2. Adverse Impact on Professional Reputation
A professional writer of any trade needs to retain his work’s originality. Any work plagued with plagiarism can lead to a discredited reputation, which can often end a career.
3. Academic Reputation
When students or even educators are guilty of plagiarism, it affects their reputation negatively and that of the educational institution with whom they are associated.
4. Legal Consequences
In severe plagiarism cases, the original owner of the content in question may file civil charges against the plagiarizing individual or organization.
5. Monetary Penalties
The offending plagiarizer may face fines and penalties if charged by the original author. More often than not, those financial penalties are quite substantial in number.
Tips for Avoiding Plagiarism
Plan & Don't Procrastinate
Taking a few extra steps toward time management can save a lot of worries and possible embarrassment. Most plagiarism happens as a careless mistake due to rushing, but a careless mistake or not, the repercussions are the same.
Track Your
Sources
Whether your work has twenty sources or just one, keep track. For example, cite and add source information to your notes when you quote or paraphrase anything from another piece. If you wait till the end, the chances are that you’ll forget to cite something somewhere.
Know the
Rules of Style
Commonly, plagiarism can often be attributed to not knowing the rules of the required style for an assignment. Each style, whether it’s MLA, APA, or another, has unique rules; so make sure you know and understand them to avoid accidental plagiarism.
Utilize a
Plagiarism Checker
There are a lot of free plagiarism checkers available online. Start making it standard practice that once you complete an assignment or blog, run it through a plagiarism checker.
Try It Yourself!
The Copyleaks AI-powered plagiarism software can take the stress and worry out of your work. Never underestimate the importance of peace of mind.
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