The Bedford Researcher Chapter 7 Summary

Chapter 7 of the Bedford Researcher titled "Avoiding Plagiarism" explains the important issues regarding plagiarism.  Using someone else's work and passing it off as your own without properly acknowledging where the ideas or information came from is plagiarism.  The chapter not only covers doing it unintentionally, but intentionally and in group projects, as well.  Deadlines and other pressures can contribute to the act of plagiarism such as taking poor notes and improperly citing sources. 

Plagiarism is a serious problem and can lead to serious consequences.  Neglecting to use quotation marks when using a direct quotation, paraphrasing too closely to the original material, not clearly distinguishing your ideas from the ideas of your source, and not properly recording your sources on your works cited list are ways of unintentional plagiarism.  Steps can be taken to avoid unintentional plagiarism.  It takes careful assessment of the way you take notes, paraphrase, summarize, and taking special care when citing your sources.  Penalties can be imposed if caught, such as a lowered grade or failure.  It can also cause readers to stop reading your document and question your credibility as a writer and researcher.

The originality of your work is important and it takes a conscientious effort to ensure that you correctly word your document.