Avoid Plagiarism: Know When and How to Cite Sources

1
Avoid PlagiarismKnow When and How to Cite
Sources

• Research-based writing in American institutions,
  both educational and corporate, is filled with
  rules that writers, particularly beginners,
  aren't aware of or don't know how to follow. Many
  of these rules have to do with research and
  proper citation. Gaining a familiarity of these
  rules, however, is critically important, as
  inadvertent mistakes can lead to charges of
  plagiarism, which is the uncredited use (both
  intentional and unintentional) of somebody else's
  words or ideas.1
• While some cultures may not insist so heavily on
  documenting sources of words, ideas, images,
  sounds, etc., American culture does. A charge of
  plagiarism can have severe consequences,
  including expulsion from a university or loss of
  a job, not to mention a writer's loss of
  credibility and professional standing.1
• Bottom line, document any words, ideas, or other
  productions that originate somewhere outside of
  you.1
• 1http//owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/01
  /, accessed September 27, 2007.

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Examples of Improper Citations(because the
citations are too vague, indirect)

• Online Advertising Spending Is Expected to Reach
  19.7B in 2007!1
• Adam Kennedy, CSUN alumnus, is currently with the
  St. Louis Cardinals. He was born January 10,
  1976.2
• 1 http//www.emarketer.com, accessed September
  27, 2007.
• 2 http//sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players, accessed
  September 27, 2007.

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Examples of Proper Citations

• Online Advertising Spending Is Expected to Reach
  19.7B in 2007!1
• Adam Kennedy, CSUN alumnus, is currently with the
  St. Louis Cardinals. He was born January 10,
  1976.2
• 1 http//www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?id1004635
  , accessed September 27, 2007.
• 2 http//sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?pl
  ayerId4157, accessed September 27, 2007.