MLA Formatting

The best way to avoid plagiarism is to understand what plagiarism is. There are many types of plagiarism, some may be accidental and others intentional. Here is a list of the most common types of plagiarism seen in educational settings.

 

Direct plagiarism or deliberate Plagiarism is transcribing someone else’s work word-for-word and using it as your own without acknowledging the actual owner or author.

 

Self-plagiarism occurs when a student submits his or her own previous work, or parts of previous works, without permission of instructors.

 

Mosaic Plagiarism occurs when a student borrows phrases from a source without placing quotation marks around the phrase, or paraphrases but keeps the main structure or idea of someone else’s work also known as patch working where you take bits and pieces of someone else's work without acknowledging.

 

Accidental plagiarism occurs when a person forgets to cite their sources, or incorrectly uses their source by writing it down wrong, or unintentionally writes a quote or phrase without attributing to the author.

 

Step 1: Understand plagiarism and the different types of plagiarism

 

Step 2: Understand what you are reading within your sources and start early do not procrastinate. Do some research on your topic first before beginning the paper.

• Understanding the source will help with paraphrasing or coming up with your own unique idea on the topic. Starting early will allow you plenty of time to find information and write a good essay.

 

Step 3: Make sure you properly quote all sources that you used. Make sure you document sources with in-text citations and a works cited page. Writing a list of all sources you want to use during the research phase will help when you start writing your paper. Make sure you jot down all important information you would need to complete a works cited page for each source.

• When using someone else's idea or wording, add a citation in your writing that identifies the full source, and any other element required when using the MLA style. All quotes that are used must have quotation marks around them when using exact wording or indent passages of more than four lines.

 

Step 4: Successfully paraphrase a source without using too many similar words or phrases from the source. Reword and rearrange the format without changing the meaning of the idea. Remember to include a citation to the source.

 

Step 5: Make sure you add your own content to your paper don't just use information from sources you find.

 

Step 6: Check your work and make sure everything is properly sourced before turning it in.

 

According to Purdue Owl website, the following list is a brief description of what needs to be credited or documented:

• Words or ideas presented in a magazine, book, newspaper, song, TV program, movie, website, computer program, letter, advertisement, or any other medium
• Information you gain through interviewing or conversing with another person, face to face, over the phone, or in writing
• When you copy the exact words or a unique phrase
• When you reprint any diagrams, illustrations, charts, pictures, or other visual materials
• When you reuse or repost any digital media, including images, audio, video, or other media