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You MUST cite your sources using a citation style in order to avoid plagiarism.
There are many types of citation styles. Check with your professor on which style they want you to use. The main styles are APA, Chicago, and MLA, but there discipline/subject specific styles too. The Citations & Style Guide can provide you with information about each of these styles and additional resources.
Most database and websites will have buttons to "cite" the resources for you. Databases typically let you choose a common format and will generate the citation based on this style. While useful, these computer generated citations often contain punctuation and formatting errors that can void the legitimacy of the the citation. Some instructors may take off points for errors in citations and, if the errors are severe enough, consider errors a plagiarism offense.
To avoid errors in computer generated or pre-written citations, make sure you check the citation by using a citation style manual.
In general, plagiarism is deliberate and unintentional use of someone's words (verbal and written), ideas (concrete and implied), physical works (including artwork and photography), and digital content (including images, video, audio, etc.) without giving them credit.
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines "plagiarize" as:
to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own
to use (another's production) without crediting the source
to commit literary theft
to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source
It is important for you can plagiarize without meaning to, and regardless of your intent, there can be consequences by the university. The university and the library want to help you learn to avoid it.
This guide is intended to help you begin to understand plagiarism in college, the many different types of plagiarism, how to avoiding plagiarism, and the additional resources available to you.
There are many different ways to plagiarize someone else's work and all of them can result in disciplinary action by professors and the university, depending on the severity.
The most common forms of plagiarism are:
The quoted definitions above are from the Dean of Students at Bowdoin College Brunswich (Links to an external site.) (2018). Accessed July 10, 2018.
Be sure to give yourself time to conduct research as well as to write your paper. The more time you give yourself, the less rushed you will be and the fewer errors you will make.
Provide a list of citations for all the resources that you used at the end of your paper
Provide "internal citations" every time you use a resource within the body paragraphs of your paper
Properly quote resources when you use a resource word-for-word AND cite your source
Properly paraphrase resources by putting the content into your own words and syntax AND cite your source
Properly summarize the main points of a resource AND cite your source
Cite your sources, cite your sources, and cite your sources.