The following excerpt is taken from the Alverno Biology Department Student Handbook (Alverno College Biology Department, 2003):
"Plagiarism is a serious academic offense. Briefly, plagiarism is representing the work of another as one's own. One common form of plagiarism is using the words of another without acknowledging the source of those words. This is plagiarism even if the material has never been published or copyrighted. Even text from the internet, from a fellow student, or from an instructor must be immediately preceded or followed by a citation. The quote must be an exact copy of the original and it must be set in quotation marks or in indented text to distinguish it from your own words. [italics added] Do not merely change a few words of a lengthy quote: representing the slightly altered text as your own is still plagiarism. In general, it is best to avoid using quotes because this prevents you from learning to express ideas in your own words. Representing the ideas of another as your own is also plagiarism. Follow the statement of another’s ideas with a citation. Penalties for plagiarism may range from a U on an assignment to expulsion from the college."
If there is any part of this memo you don’t understand, ask about it immediately.
I, ____________________________________________________, understand
that:
(print your name and student number)
• Using the words of another person without enclosing them in quotation marks (or identifying format), and providing a citation, and listing the source in the reference list is plagiarism.
• If I paraphrase another author, I must do more than change a word or two in a sentence. I must restate the information or opinion in my own words. I must also provide a citation and list the source in my references. Otherwise, the paraphrase is plagiarism.
• If I have any questions about citations, references, quotation, or paraphrasing, I will ask my instructor before turning in my work. I understand that the penalties for plagiarism can be severe.
Signature:_________________________________ Date:____________________
DO NOT SIGN THIS UNTIL YOU UNDERSTAND IT!