What is plagiarism? To help answer this question, we are providing some examples of how to quote material and cite your sources. These examples are not meant to be exhaustive of all possible instances of plagiarism. As always, if you wonder whether your writing might be plagiaristic, you should consult with your instructor or the Writing Center (208C W. T. Young Library, http://www.uky.edu/AS/English/wc/). Remember, plagiarism can result in an E grade for the course (or worse). We have gone "over and above" the call of duty to help you avoid it. Ignorance is never an excuse, especially now.
Let's begin with some source material, as you would when beginning a research paper. The following excerpt is from The Seven Sins of Memory by Daniel L. Schacter.
I propose that memory's malfunctions can be divided into seven fundamental transgressions or "sins," which I call transcience, absent-mindedness, blocking, misattribution, suggestibility, bias, and persistence. Just like the ancient seven deadly sins, the memory sins occur frequently in everyday life and can have serious consequences for us all. (Schacter, 2001, p. 4)
The following are examples of plagiarism. Each example is followed immediately by one way to fix it:
WRONG: Copying without Quoting (even if you cite the author)
Schacter (2001) proposes that memory's malfunctions can be divided into seven fundamental transgressions or "sins." They are called transcience, absent-mindedness, blocking, misattribution, suggestibility, bias, and persistence. Just like the ancient seven deadly sins, the memory sins occur frequently in everyday life and can have serious consequences for us all.
RIGHT: If You Copy, Quote and Cite the Author
Schacter (2001) discusses seven ways memory can fail: "I propose that memory's malfunctions can be divided into seven fundamental transgressions or "sins," which I call transcience, absent-mindedness, blocking, misattribution, suggestibility, bias, and persistence. Just like the ancient seven deadly sins, the memory sins occur frequently in everyday life and can have serious consequences for us all" (p. 4).
WRONG: Liberal Paraphrasing (changing just a few words, even if you cite the author)
Schacter (2001) believes that memory's mistakes can be divided into seven basic "sins," which he calls transcience, absent-mindedness, blocking, misattribution, suggestibility, bias, and persistence. Just like the old seven deadly sins, the memory sins happen frequently in daily life and can have bad consequences for us all.
RIGHT: If You Paraphrase, Put It in Your Own Words
People's memories can fall victim to many kinds of problems. Schacter (2001) lists seven, each of which can have negative consequences: 1) transience, 2) absent-mindedness, 3) blocking, 4) misattribution, 5) suggestibility, 6) bias, and 7) persistence.
WRONG: Summarizing Without Citing Your Source (even if you don't copy or liberally paraphrase)
Memory can malfunction in seven different ways: 1) transience, 2) absent-mindedness, 3) blocking, 4) misattribution, 5) suggestibility, 6) bias, and 7) persistence.
RIGHT: If You Summarize, Cite the Author
Schacter (2001) suggests that memory can fail us in seven different ways: 1) transience, 2) absent-mindedness, 3) blocking, 4) misattribution, 5) suggestibility, 6) bias, and 7) persistence.
Finally:
Use APA or another accepted citation style (check with your instructor) in your reference list
Work Cited: Schacter, D. L. (2001). The seven sins of memory. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.