Ethical Topics: Plagiarism

The most effective way of avoiding plagiarism is to write in well-developed paragraphs. Each paragraph should have a clear main point, which reflects your individual response to the question or task. The main point should always be written in your own words and should be sufficiently general to allow you to explain, elaborate and illustrate it using research.

Effective note-taking from lessons and readings is an essential skill for study. Good note-taking allows a permanent record for revision and a register of relevant points that you can integrate with your own writing and speaking. Good note-taking reduces the risk of plagiarism. It also helps you distinguish where your ideas came from and how you think about those ideas.

Many of the strategies for reading note taking also apply to listening note taking. However, unlike reading, you can't stop a lesson and review as you listen. Therefore, preparation prior to listening can greatly improve comprehension.

Have a clear purpose
Recognise main ideas
Select what is relevant; you do not need to write down everything that is said
Have a system for recording information that works for you

In a research paper, you have to come up with your own original ideas while at the same time making reference to work that's already been done by others. But how can you tell where their ideas end and your own begin? What's the proper way to integrate sources in your paper? If you change some of what an author said, do you still have to cite that author?