Skip to Main Content

Avoiding Plagiarism for FCPS Faculty & Students: Welcome

This LibGuide contains information and resources for faculty and students to learn about plagiarism and how to avoid it.

What is Plagiarism?

According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, to "plagiarize" means:

  • to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own
  • to use (another's production) without crediting the source
  • to commit literary theft
  • to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source

In other words, plagiarism is an act of fraud. It involves both stealing someone else's work and lying about it afterward.

Source: P.org sponsored by Turnitin

Acknowledgement

This guide was adapted from the Butler University Avoiding Plagiarism LibGuide by FCPS Library Media Specialists Renate.Owen@fcps.org and Katherine.Mills@fcps.org. If you have suggestions for improving this LibGuide, please email one or both of these library media specialists. 

How to Use This Guide

This LibGuide contains information and resources for faculty and students to learn about plagiarism and how to avoid it. 

Click on the tabs above to find various resources that will help you understand what plagiarism means and tips on avoiding plagiarism.

If you need help, please contact your teacher or Library Media Specialist. All FCPS Library Media Staff contacts are listed by school in the "Ask Us!" link on every page of this LibGuide.

Types of Plagiarism

undefined

 

For more examples of plagiarism, visit The Plagiarism Spectrum by Turnitin.

Why Do We Reference Other's Work?

No Plagiarism

Carefully citing your sources:

 
  • gives credit to authors whose works you have used
  • creates a trail so others can find the materials you used
  • provides evidence of your research
  • is the ethical & standard practice for students and scholars

Source: UC Santa Cruz University Library 

Need Help?: Ask an FCPS Media Specialist