Plagiarism: Definition and types

Plagiarism is using someone else’s work or ideas without giving proper credit. There are many different types of plagiarism and some of the most common include copying and pasting text from another source without attribution, using someone else’s ideas without giving them credit, paraphrasing someone else’s work without properly citing the source, and using someone else’s research without permission.

Types of plagiarism

Here are the different types of plagiarism;

Complete plagiarism 

Complete plagiarism is copying someone else’s work or ideas and presenting them as your own without providing any credit to the original source. It is a serious offense and can have severe consequences both in academic and professional settings. 

Direct plagiarism

Direct plagiarism is copying someone else’s work or ideas verbatim, without making any changes or providing any attribution. It means that the plagiarized work is identical to the original source, and the plagiarist has not made any effort to rewrite the work or provide a citation. It is a serious offense and can have severe consequences in academic and professional settings. 

Paraphrasing plagiarism

Paraphrasing plagiarism is using someone else’s work or ideas but rewriting them in your own words without providing proper attribution or citation. It means that the original source is not quoted directly, but the ideas are still taken from that source without providing credit. This is a form of plagiarism because you are not giving credit to the original source of the ideas. 

Patchwork plagiarism

Patchwork plagiarism, also known as “mosaic plagiarism,” is the act of taking small pieces of text from multiple sources and combining them into a single piece of work without proper attribution or citation. It means that the plagiarized work is made up of many different sources, but the original sources are not properly cited. It is a form of plagiarism because you are not giving credit to the original sources of the ideas and text. 

Source-based plagiarism

Source-based plagiarism is a type of plagiarism that occurs when a person uses someone else’s work or ideas as the basis for their work but does not properly cite the original source. It means that the plagiarized work is based on ideas or information from another source, but the original source is not credited. It is a form of plagiarism because you are not giving credit to the original source of the ideas or information. 

Accidental plagiarism

Accidental plagiarism is unintentionally using someone else’s work or ideas as your own without giving proper credit. It can happen when you are not careful enough when researching and writing a paper or other type of work, or if you do not fully understand the concept of plagiarism. In many cases, accidental plagiarism can be avoided by properly citing your sources and making sure to give credit where it is due. It is essential to understand the rules around plagiarism and to take steps to prevent it, as it can have serious consequences for both your reputation and your academic or professional career.

Effects of plagiarism

It is considered a serious offense in academic and professional settings and can have serious consequences. Here are some of the effects of plagiarism;

• If you are caught plagiarizing in an academic setting, you may face penalties such as a failing grade on the assignment, a lower overall grade in the class, or even expulsion from school. 
• In a professional setting, plagiarism can result in loss of job opportunities, damage to your reputation, and legal consequences if the plagiarized material is protected by copyright.
•  In addition to these tangible consequences, plagiarism can also damage your credibility and integrity.
•  It shows a lack of respect for the original author and their work, and it undermines your own abilities and accomplishments.

Although no one owns an idea, plagiarism in literature generally refers to the unauthorized use of another writer’s characters, location, particular plot, or notions. Fanfiction is usually not seen as plagiarism when the author acknowledges that their work is based on an already written work.

Requesting the original author for authorization to reprint their work and, if they accept, being sure to acknowledge them will help you prevent plagiarism when it comes to online content. Ultimately, plagiarism is not worth the risk, and it’s always better to properly credit others' work and ideas.

Tips to avoid unintentional plagiarism

To avoid plagiarism, it’s essential to always give credit to the original source of any information or ideas that you use in your work. It can be done by using in-text citations and references to clearly indicate where the information came from. Additionally, it’s important to always use quotation marks when directly copying text from another source, and to make sure that you fully understand the ideas that you are using before you attempt to paraphrase or summarize them. Finally, it’s always a good idea to double-check your work against the original source to ensure that you have properly cited and attributed all of the information that you have used. There are several steps you can take to avoid unintentional plagiarism:

1. Understand what constitutes plagiarism: Plagiarism is not always intentional, and it can be difficult to avoid if you don’t know what it is. Make sure you understand what counts as plagiarism, and what you can do to avoid it.
2. Keep track of your sources: As you research and gather information for your work, keep track of the sources you use. This can help you avoid accidentally using someone else’s ideas or words without giving them credit.
3. Use quotation marks and citations: When you use someone else’s words or ideas in your work, be sure to use quotation marks and include a citation. This will make it clear that you are using someone else’s work, and it will help you avoid plagiarism.
4. Paraphrase carefully: Plagiarism can also occur when you paraphrase someone else’s ideas without giving them proper credit. To avoid this, make sure you fully understand the original source before you paraphrase it, and be sure to include a citation.
5. Review your work: Before you submit your work, carefully review it to make sure you have properly credited all sources and avoided plagiarism. If you’re not sure whether something might be considered plagiarism, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and give the original source proper credit.