FYE: Using Information Responsibly (Module 4): What is plagiarism?

Examples of plagiarism can include:

• Copying another person’s or an AI tool’s actual words or images without the use of quotation marks and citations attributing the words to their source.
• Presenting another person’s ideas or theories in your own words without acknowledging the source.
• Failing to acknowledge collaborators on homework and laboratory assignments.
• Internet plagiarism, including submitting downloaded term papers or parts of term papers, paraphrasing or copying information from the internet without citing the source, or “cutting & pasting” from various sources without proper attribution.
• Unauthorized use of AI-generated content; or use of AI-generated content, whether in whole or in part, even when paraphrased, without citing the AI as the source.

Source: CUNY Academic Honesty Policy

Preventing plagiarism involves understanding how to properly use and cite your sources. Many instances of plagiarism happen by mistake due to unfamiliarity with citation rules. To avoid plagiarism, follow these simple steps:

• Make sure you have complete citations for every source you use.
• For online sources, include the URL and the date you accessed the information.
• Keep clear records of your research, and note where you use each source in your paper.
• Know which citation style your instructor requires (like MLA, APA, or Chicago) before you begin your work.