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The Dangers of Plagiarism and Strategies to Prevent It

Many of us find ourselves in the need of plagiarism checking services and want to make sure our writing pieces are up to the highest standard. To do this, many use Essayexaminer. But why do we go through such measures to write plagiarism-free content? Why do we need to adhere to the strict rules and codes of honor to avoid plagiarism in writing pieces? Well, there are dangers associated with plagiarism, and committing the immoral act is dishonest, so it should be avoided at any cost. What are the dangers of plagiarism and how does one prevent it?… Well, that’s the topic of today’s article. Plagiarism-free, I assure you!

Dangers Of Plagiarism

Plagiarism, as a word, stems from ‘plagium’ which is Latin for kidnapping. Plagiarism is, in its essence, stealing the work of someone else and handing it off as your own.

Why isn’t plagiarism worth it? Well, first, you shall see that there are repercussions, including academic ones. During your academic journey, should you be found to have used plagiarized content, the teachers and professors must put that in your personal record and, usually, inform any relevant academic honor committees that can then take further actions.

Plus, should you try plagiarizing in the academic world, not only will professors not trust and respect you anymore but neither will your colleagues.

Also, there are copyright laws. Under them, you can use someone’s work for inspiration, information, and you can quote them but only while giving them credit for their work. If you copy someone’s words without noting they are not yours, and then you pass them out as yours, then this is actually a criminal offense.

How To Avoid Plagiarism

One of the most basic tips is to get on the task early. If you are in quite a hurry, you’ll be more prone to miss something or accidentally copy something rather than delve into the ideas it presents. Being under pressure definitely increases the chances of making a mistake that may not be regarded as such. Also, it is generally a good idea to give yourself enough time so that you can complete the essay or paper, or another writing assignment according to your top performance.

Another thing that you should not skip is properly citing all the sources. You should remember not only to do it but to do so correctly. Familiarize yourself with the standards for the type of assignment you’re working on, and then apply those standards meticulously.

One more easy way is to quote. That way you are giving credit to the sources you are using. That actually takes not a long time and it’s better to do it when you are first writing your draft. If references are quoted, plagiarism issues won’t arise.

Paraphrase. This is a nice way to use some source’s information by still making it your own. That way you can completely change the structure and wording but for the meaning of the sentence or paragraph. Also, it would be good to put in some of your insights and ideas in the paraphrased text.

Another important step to be taken and that is to add value to what you are saying. Don’t simply use everything out of the information you’ve found. Include insights you’ve achieved on your own. That is not only going to make it past the plag check but also give you better marks. Adding your own insights is proof that you understand the matter at hand.

A must do is check for plagiarism. Copyleaks is one of the many platforms online that can provide you with a valuable tool. And it’s quite simple to do that. You basically just paste the text and let the checker do its search comparing it to other pieces of writing.

You can always confer with your teacher for help with understanding what the requirements for citing and quoting are for your assignment. They can help you better manage the process of writing and not getting into the abyss of plagiarism.

Do not forget that the Internet is also considered a source. As such, you need to include references to the sites, articles, and papers you’ve used as not for them to be considered plagiarized.

Accidental Plagiarism

Do keep in mind that there is something called accidental plagiarism. This arises due to the immensity of articles, sources, and materials that exist on the Internet. Because of their existence, it’s quite easy to unintentionally paraphrase. When you are gathering your research material, it’s possible that you will unintentionally like something and paraphrase is.

If you do not know the topic, however, and if you aren’t doing so with an excellent grasp of the academic language, this may turn out to be a case of accidental plagiarism.

In order to avoid plagiarism and any resulting consequences, you should definitely be well-versed in the topic and prepare yourself for the assignment. Also, it’s bad if you simply look at the paragraph and paraphrase at the same time for this may lead to you not fully understanding the concept and missing vital points.

Thus, do try to understand the whole material first, ponder on the idea it’s based on, and then write out what you come up with.

Summary to Avoid Plagiarism

  • Properly cite your sources. That way you can use the important points of someone’s writing while giving them credit for those and avoiding plagiarism accusations. Sometimes it’s good to have used other materials, it’s actually a must in the academic world. That means you need to use other people’s work but you absolutely MUST give them credit for it. That happens through citations.
  • Quote. When you need to directly state something you’ve found interesting, quote it, and mention the writer.
  • Paraphrase. Be cautious not to let yourself get carried away and do it automatically or that may lead to accidental plagiarism.
  • Remember, everything you use to help you with your writing is a source.
  • Comprehend the topic well. That can be achieved either through your academic studies or through properly going over various materials you’ve found so that you can familiarize yourself with the subject at hand, study it meticulously, comprehend the ideas, and get insights from them.
  • Do add your own insights. That will show you have comprehended the topic. It avoids plagiarism while also making you achieve better academic marks and knowledge.
  • Understand the requirements. If they are not clear, ask for clarification.

Conclusion

Plagiarism definitely isn’t something you’d want to be accused of. It can ruin reputations and academic careers. Thus, you should avoid it meticulously. That can be achieved even despite the piles of piles of materials in today’s world. To do so, we have suggested some tips. You can choose which ones to follow but we do prompt you to be careful with your writing so as not to plagiarize content.

To reach a high-standing academic reputation, you shall need to prove you have a grasp of the concepts and the ideas you are talking about. To do so, do your research and comprehend your studies well.

Remember, the academic world requires diligence and it is quite dependent on reputation. If the day comes when you are conducting your own research, it will be much more well-greeted if you haven’t been accused of plagiarism.

In some cases, plagiarism can ruin reputations and careers, get you fired or expelled from college. Thus, do not fall into the temptation to plagiarize, and do be careful to avoid doing so accidentally.

We hope our tips will come in handy while you are on your way to your academic journey. It doesn’t matter whether you are in high school, college, grad school, or working in a scientific field. These principles will apply. Plagiarism is highly frowned upon and does more harm than good, so stick to the fair side and write things that are yours and yours only.

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