Jennifer Harris
COM/600
Graduate Level Writing Quality writing is considered a very important aspect of an academic setting, particularly when completing a graduate program. It is necessary to develop writing skills beyond the basic elements of writing that are considered acceptable in an undergraduate program. There are many aspects of writing that have the potential for development. Aside from the quality of writing regarding content and mechanics, it is also important to understand the elements of effective communication. Appropriate use of vocabulary, proper organization of information, and the tone in which the information is presented to the audience are very important aspect of effective written communication. Understanding the proper APA format for citations and references is …show more content…
According to Lowe & Dougherty (2014), intentional plagiarism typically stems from fear of failure, poor planning/time management skills, or viewing the course material and the consequences of cheating as unimportant. Unintentional plagiarism is usually caused by a lack of understanding the use of proper citations when attempting to integrate ideas. The best way to avoid plagiarism is to learn the appropriate use of citations and the proper format for references. Understanding the difference between using someone else’s words in a direct quote and paraphrasing is important, as each method requires the information to be cited differently. Aside from learning the appropriate use of citations and references, it is necessary to understand the importance of course materials and the seriousness of the consequences for cheating. Learning proper time management skills will also help students to remain vigilant when citing sources used to support the information being