Drama Library

Plagiarism is using another's ideas or expressions without acknowledging your source.

Plagiarism comes from the Latin word plagiarius and means "kidnapper"

• Alexander Lindey defines plagiarism as "the false assumption of authorship: the wrongful act of taking the product of another person's mind, and presenting it as one's own." (Plagiarism and Originality [New York: Harper, 1952] 2).
• when you borrow something, don't give the impression it's your work
• you must acknowledge the source

What are the most common mistakes?

• paraphrasing an argument
• presenting an idea as though it is yours
• repeating another's phrase without acknowledgment

When you borrow information always credit the source

Need some additional help? Check out Avoiding Plagiarism at Purdue University for a printable handout.

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