What Plagiarism is and How it can be Avoided (Essay Sample)

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Plagiarism
In academia, plagiarism is an offense that involves stealing, presenting, and publication of another author’s thoughts, ideas, language or expressions as one’s original work. Clarke Roger likens plagiarism to pornography because people at least know it when they see it (95). In many learning institutions and organizations, it is considered academic dishonesty and breach of ethics that govern journalism. Therefore, the offence is subject to punishments including suspension or termination of employment, and expulsion from school (O'Connor 4).
Although plagiarism is not a criminal offense per se, it is considered a serious ethical offense in academic industry, and it is considered infringement of intellectual property rights. According to the University of Cambridge, plagiarism constitutes stealing and passing off another person’s words, expressions, ideas, and presenting it as one’s own original work. It also involves using another person’s production without crediting the source or committing literally theft. Finally, it involves presenting as new and original an idea that is derived from a known existing source
Consequences of plagiarism
Plagiarism is a serious academic offense or academic fraud that can result in penalties. The penalties may range from failing grade on given assignments, the entire module, suspension from a course, or expulsion from the institution (Clarke, 110). In higher institutions of learning, plagiarism is taken seriously and in cases the students commits severe plagiarism, suspension and/or expulsion is very likely.
How to avoid plagiarism
In academia, especially when writing papers and assignments, students build on the words and ideas or insights of others. Therefore, a writer must distinguish properly what has been learned from others and his/her contribution to what has been learned from others. This understanding will help in attributing words and ideas used in the work to their proper source (Luke, & Kearins, 885). Therefore, to avoid plagiarism, one must give credit or acknowledge another author’s idea, opinion, or words; quotation of another person’s original spoken or written words; or paraphrase of another person’s spoken or written words.
Harvard University provides that students can also avoid plagiarism by referencing quotes and sources. This can be achieved by providing a bibliography or works cited in their papers. If a quote is used from another person’s work, it must be quoted and cited properly. Another way to avoid plagiarism is to keep the sources in their correct context and avoiding copy and pasting information from electronic source directly into your academic work. Finally, it is necessary to give credit when in doubt. This can be achieved by mentioning the source inside the paraphrase or putting quotation marks around unique phrases that might be considered copy pasted or plagiarized.
Plagiarism policy of Harvard University
Harvard University plagiarism policy encompass several aspects including plagiarism and collaboration, submission of the same work to more than one course, tutoring school and term paper companies, and official forms and petitions. According to the policy, it is the duty of the students to