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Plagiarism

Plagiarism and you Video Transcript (RTF) Opens in a new window

What is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism includes more than just "coping and pasting". Any time you use content that is not your own, you need to give credit to the original creator using citations. This doesn't just include text; you need to cite images, figures, ideas, and more.

Examples of plagiarism:

  • Deliberately copying work from another student or copying and pasting from the internet
  • Submitting a paper or assignment that you bought online
  • Using any source or image in your assignment without citing it properly
  • Misquoting or not including quotation marks (" ") around exact quotations
  • Re-using your own past work (self-plagiarism)
  • Collaborating with other students on assignments that are meant to be individual (group or team plagiarism)

Algonquin’s Plagiarism Directive

Algonquin College's policy on plagiarism, AA48: Academic Integrity, states:

Plagiarism, whether done deliberately or accidentally, is defined as presenting someone else’s work, in whole or in part, as one’s own. This applies to ideas, wording, code, graphics, music, and inventions from all sources, including the Internet, television, video, film, and recordings; all print and written sources, such as books, periodicals, lyrics, government publications, promotional materials, and academic assignments; and all verbal sources such as conversations and interviews. Sharing one’s work with other learners where this has not been authorized is also considered an act of plagiarism. The reuse of one's own words, ideas, artistic expression or work from preexisting material especially without acknowledgment of their earlier use, is self-plagiarism

Academic sanctions for plagiarism can vary from having to complete a course on academic integrity to being suspended.

How Do I Avoid Plagiarizing?

Here are a few important things you can do to avoid plagiarizing in your own work:

  • Don’t present anything you didn’t create yourself as your own work.
  • Keep track of where you find your information so you can cite it.
  • Give appropriate credit in your work using correct citations. If you have a hard time with citations, use one of the resources available so that you can learn to do it correctly.
  • When working with a group, look at what your group is handing in. You may still be responsible if a group member plagiarized.

Find more information to help you avoid plagiarizing in the resources below:

Consequences of Plagiarism

The consequences for students who plagiarize depends on the case. Per the college Academic Integrity policy (AA48: Academic Integrity), some possible consequences at Algonquin College are as follows:

  • requirement that the student resubmit the assignment
  • requirement that the student submit additional work
  • reduction of the weight for the assignment towards the overall course grade
  • assigning the grade of zero for the assignment
  • assigning the grade of F for the course
  • suspension from the Program
  • suspension from the College

Complete the activities below to learn about avoiding plagiarism, whether it is in your academic papers or in your resumes and cover letters.

Plagiarism in Academic Papers Activity

Find out what constitutes plagiarism and how you can avoid plagiarizing in your own work.
Module 1: Plagiarism Activity Transcript

Avoiding Plagiarism in Your Resume and Cover Letter Activity

Find out about plagiarism and how it relates to your professional integrity and success.(opens in new window)

Avoiding Plagiarism in Your Resume and Cover Letter Activity Transcript
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Subjects: Art & Design