Plagiarism Guide for Students

Keep Track of Your Sources
As you search across Google, the library website, and other resources, save materials you plan to use. Either print them out or save them electronically.

Take Good Notes
Keep a list of all the sources (incl. page numbers or URLs) you gathered. Mark the section(s) of sources your will using.

Ask Your Professor
If you have a question about integrating sources into your paper, ask your professor.

Don't Procrastinate
Plan ahead! Do not wait until the last minute, as this will lead to sloppy work. Stay organized.

Common Knowledge
e.g., The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

The thirteen colonies formed the United States of America.

The capital of Wisconsin is Madison.

Your Own Opinions & Ideas

A video explaining ownership of ideas/common knowledge

You need to give credit to sources for several reasons:

• To let your readers know how your views, "agree with, disagree with, or modify the views of published experts in the field."

• By citing your sources, you are providing your reader with additional information--such as books, articles, and websites--on the topic you are writing about.

• "By listing the author of a quotation and providing a page number, you're telling the reader, 'If you don't believe that this person really wrote this, you can look it up for yourself.'"

• "It's the honest thing to do."

Source: Plagiarism (Microsoft Word document) - UWGB Writing Center handout

Consult these resources for more info: