John T. Baker Middle School

What is plagiarism?
It is "the act of presenting someone else's ideas as your own" (Sebranek 256).

Note-Taking Tip:
While taking notes, put quotation marks around direct quotes and identify the source on the same page. This is very easy to do using Noodle Tools!

Use the CHoMP Note Taking Strategy to avoid plagiarism!

This helps to determine what information in a resource is important and can enable you to paraphrase the information using your own words.  You can avoid unintentional plagiarism this way.

C - Cross out unnecessary small words such as articles, prepositions and conjunctions.

         H - Highlight the essential information

       M - Make notes from the information highlighted.  Use single words, phrases, abbreviations, dates, symbols, and bulleted lists.  Sentences are unnecessary.

         P- Put the notes in your own words to avoid plagiarism.

Avoid plagiarism by documenting the works of others when:
" ...you use someone else's words" (Harris). Use quotation marks around direct quotes to give the writer or speaker credit.
". you revise or paraphrase the words of someone else or just use their ideas" (Harris). When paraphrasing, give credit in note form.
" ...you use information gained through interviewing another person" (OWL).
" ...you reprint any diagrams, illustrations, charts, and pictures" (OWL).
" ...you use ideas that others have given you in conversations or over email" (OWL).

You do not have to document when:
" ...you are writing your own experiences, your own observations, your own insights, your own thoughts, your own conclusions about a subject" (OWL).
" ...you are using 'common knowledge' - folklore, common sense observations, shared information within your field of study or cultural group" (OWL).
" ...you are compiling generally accepted facts" (OWL).
" ...you are writing up your own experimental results" (OWL).

Need more help to make sure you did not plagiarize information for your project?  Try these websites: 

Synthesis: Using the Work of Others

The University of Maine at Farmington Writing Center / Mantor Library Anti-Plagiarism Website tells students how to avoid plagiarism. 

Avoiding Plagiarism

          The OWL at Purdue - Free writing help and teaching resources 24/7

Plagiarism Quiz -

          The Library and Information Science Program, Wayne State University

          A quiz with answers and explanations!  Try it!

Is this an acceptable paraphrase? -

          From the Writing Tutorial Services at Indiana University