Avoiding Plagiarism and Referencing Skills

Areas to be covered in this workshop:◦ What is plagiarism?◦ How to avoid plagiarism using referencing◦ Referencing: voices in academic writing◦ Strategies to avoid plagiarism

◦ NB: workshop 3: “Summarising and Paraphrasing”

PLC Transition Workshop

Susan, why have you and your brother written the same essay about ‘My dog’?

But Miss Jones; it’s the same dog!

Plagiarism?

Your lecturers want you to demonstrate that:

◦ You have understood your task◦ You have read widely◦ You have understood what you have read and how the

research/findings/ideas/opinions of scholars to give authority to your work

Academic writing is about your understanding of and/or position on a particular topic and requires support from reliable sources

(What is plagiarism?)

Purpose of Academic Writing

‘Plagiarism is passing off someone else’s work, whether intentionally or unintentionally, as your own for your own benefit’ (Carroll, 2002, p.9)

‘someone else’s’…whatever the source

What is plagiarism?

‘Explanation/discussion’ with lecturer Reduced grades Failure of the assignment Failure to complete the course Expulsion

University plagiarism policywww.adelaide.edu.au/policies/230

Penalties

To avoid plagiarism“The best way to avoid plagiarism is to acknowledge the resources upon which you have based your ideas” (Harvard Guide, 2007 p7)

To add strength and credibility as evidence to support your position

To indicate the scope and depth of your research

To allow others to independently follow up the presented content

What is the purpose of referencing?

The only unlabelled voice is YOURS! Your voice introduces new points, presents arguments, refers to other sources…”the same dog”

There are 3 ways to refer to the voices of others: A direct voice uses the exact words of the source An indirect voice paraphrases the source and

identifies the source as part of the sentence An external voice paraphrases the source and

identifies the source outside of the sentence(Brick, 2006)

Voices in academic writing

Direct voice: the exact words of the sourceSmith (2004, p45) states that critical thinking is “the most important skill that students develop in tertiary study.”

“for short quote” block

Should be used for emphasis – do not exceed 10%…further research was “absolutely imperative for progress.”

(Jordan, 1998 p59)

<NB: CSG p53>

Voices in academic texts

………..………..

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Indirect voice

Smith (2004) believes that the development of critical thinking skills is of central importance to all university students

*Author prominence*Most common*Written in your style*Reporting verbs e.g. claims, asserts, justifies,

suggests, concludes, according to

<Paraphrasing required CSG p51, Workshop 3>

Voices in academic texts

External voice

Many researchers have concluded that critical thinking skills are extremely important for all university students (Smith 2004; Jones 2005)

*Information/research prominence*Written in your style

Activity: your turn to try!

Voices in academic writing

Academic writing requires you to use authoritative sources. Your role is to use sources to support your ideas - but you must make clear what is your voice and what is the voice of othersDoing this well enhances your writing and helps you to avoid plagiarism

<Google…Harvard Referencing Guide>4 Ways to avoid plagiarism?

Academic writing

Time Management

Read widely

Note references as you research

Reference and paraphrase

(How will each of these assist?)

Ways to avoid plagiarism

isabella.slevin@adelaide.edu.au

Analysing questions Paraphrasing/Summarising Oral Presentations Exam revision strategies

Thank you