What is Plagiarism and Why Is it Important

What Is Plagiarism and Why is it Important?

Plagiarism is an action that is most commonly used in colleges and universities. We have text books that we read daily, or are supposed to. We go to class and listen to lectures daily, or are supposed to. We participate in classroom discussions, or are supposed to. And, we pull all of the thoughts and ideas together to form our own thoughts and ideas, or are supposed to. With so much on our plates, sometimes, our thoughts and ideas may seem to be ours – but in actuality – they are not. We have used the exact words of others and not given them credit. That is Plagiarism….using the ideas, words, thoughts, writings, lectures of others and not giving the credit to the correct individual or individuals.1

So, how do we avoid using plagiarism in our own writing? We have to show credit to the author of the books we read. We have to note the Professor’s name of the class lecture we are referencing. We have to give credit to other students in class that have the great ideas that we use in our writing. It’s not wrong to use their words…but…just give them credit.

The internet is another common source for research material when writing. It is very easy to type any subject and have the internet search for information under that topic. You are able to obtain an almost endless source of information. When reading through this information – some will sound the same. You may read it so much – that you start to think the ideas. This is where plagiarism could come in. It is important to make sure the information that you write is your own ideas and not quoted ideas from other papers. The safe way – write your thoughts…but…note the sources that you read the information.

The most common ways to show credit to using someone else’s thoughts or words are Footnotes and Endnotes. A footnote is a numbered reference guide of material that is not based on your own thoughts. A footnote would be at the bottom of the page that you are typing or writing. It would include the name of the source; maybe a date if it were a class lecture, discussion, or training session; and possibly page numbers. Endnotes are another way of giving credit. Just like the footnote, an endnote is a numbered reference guide of material that is not based on your own thoughts. The only difference is that the endnotes would be placed at the end of the paper – sometimes on a separate piece of paper.2

There are many ways of showing ideas that you have used from others in your paper. You can use “quotations” at the beginning and ending of any thoughts that are primarily not your own. You can use italics when writing the thoughts of others. You can indent to show that you are quoting the works of someone other than yourself. These three typographical aids will call attention to the thoughts of others and will keep you safe from plagiarizing your own paper.

So, how can you be sure that you are not using plagiarism? You want to put the thoughts of others into your own thoughts and words – you want to paraphrase. Read the material…think about it in your own words…write your words and then compare. Did you really use your words? Or did you use the words of the source? Compare what you have written to what you are using as a guide. Make sure that your guide is just a guide – and that you are not using those exact words. But, still, reference that guide – it is, after all, your source.3

But, why is this so important? Why is it important to use your thoughts and not someone else’s? If you’re smart enough to find the material and write the paper to get the point across – why is it wrong? If someone else has already done the work and has it published for you – why can’t you use it?

Using it is Ok – with references - writing as if it is yours – that would be stealing. You are stealing the thoughts and ideas of someone else. You are stealing their hard work and efforts to make it look like your own.

Let’s say you have a roommate that works an eight (8) hour a day job and goes to school at night. Your roommate comes in from class – tired – and leaves the money they made that day lying on the desk that you both share. It’s not your money – but it is accessible. You take the money and go out for breakfast. Is that stealing? Did you not take from the work of someone else to better yourself?

Not only is it stealing – but you are only hurting yourself. Isn’t college all about bettering yourself – taking what you learn each day and making your own way with what you have learned? If you take the money that someone else has earned to buy your breakfast – you don’t learn the value of working. If you take what someone else has written and acknowledge that it is yours – you are not bettering yourself. You are not expanding on the information that you have learned – you are not expanding your mind.

I started this paper by looking at the internet and the references that I have quoted below. I read over the material and came to this conclusion You shall not steal. Exodus 20:154
I would not do this in life. I did not ever intend to do this in class. I work to better myself on a daily basis. And, this is one lesson that will stay with me.