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LAB 206
Avoiding Plagiarism
True or False?
1. I didn’t use quotation marks, but I’m not plagiarizing as long as I change a few words from the source. T or F
2. I didn’t use quotation marks, but I’m not plagiarizing as long as I copy only a few words from the source. T or F
3. I put the idea in my own words, so I don’t have to credit the original source. T or F
4. I changed the author’s words a little, so I didn’t use quotation marks. As long as I mention the author to give
credit for the idea, I’m not plagiarizing. T or F
 The key idea to remember when using and citing sources is that you must give credit for two separate things:
words and ideas.
 Most of you are aware that if you copy words from a source verbatim (word-for-word) and do not use quotation
marks, you are committing plagiarism.
 However, you are also plagiarizing if you change the wording substantially but don’t credit the source for the
idea.
 And here is something that may surprise you: if you change the author’s wording only slightly, you are probably
plagiarizing even if you mention the author's name.
 So, yes, numbers 1-4 above are all false. In each case, the speaker is plagiarizing.
Here are some examples for review.
Original Text: Those who would ban flag burning have placed the American flag in a category and context that is
idolatrous. Idolatry is defined as "the worship of a physical object as a god; immoderate attachment or devotion to
something." While we don't worship or devote ourselves to the flag as we might a religious symbol or being, the
attachment some would force on the rest of us comes pretty close to resembling that definition. . . . When a flag is burned,
it is the protester, not the flag, who is demeaned. He reveals his base ingratitude when he burns a symbol of a nation great
enough even to allow him to indulge in moronic behavior.
Works Cited entry in MLA format:
Thomas, Cal. "Burned Up Over Flag Burning.” Reading and Writing Short Arguments. Ed. William Vesterman. 2nd ed.
Mayfield Publishing, 1997. 110-11. Print.
1. Plagiarized Version: The attachment to the flag that some would force on the rest of us comes pretty close to
resembling the definition of idolatry. [The student copied Thomas's words almost verbatim and failed to credit either the
author's words or ideas. This is plagiarism.]
2. Plagiarized Version: The protective attitude some people feel toward the flag makes it almost an object of worship,
like an idol. [The student properly paraphrased the ideas in the original source but failed to credit the author for the idea.
This is plagiarism.]
3. Plagiarized Version: When a flag is burned, the protester reveals his base ingratitude. The protestor, not the flag, is
demeaned (Thomas 111). [The student changed the words somewhat but is still relying too heavily on the language of the
original source. The lack of quotation marks indicates that the wording is the student’s; however, key words and phrases
come verbatim or almost verbatim from the original source. This is still plagiarism, even though the student credits
Thomas in the parenthetical reference.]
Copyright (C) 2016. All rights reserved. This handout is part of a library of instructional materials used in California State University, Long Beach’s writing
center, the Writer's Resource Lab. Educators and students are welcome to distribute copies as long as they do so with attribution to all organizations and
authors. Commercial distribution is prohibited.
4. Acceptable Paraphrase with Correct Parenthetical Reference: Cal Thomas believes that the protective attitude
some people feel toward the flag makes it almost an object of worship, like an idol. Because their actions demonstrate
their lack of appreciation for this country, angry protesters who burn flags demean themselves, not the flags (111).
5. Acceptable Mixture of Paraphrase and Quotation with Correct Parenthetical Reference: While Cal Thomas
acknowledges that we don't actually worship the flag, he argues that those who want to ban burning it demonstrate
“immoderate attachment or devotion” that makes the flag almost an object of idolatry. When someone burns a flag,
Thomas continues, that person, not the flag, is “demeaned" by his or her lack of appreciation for a country that allows a
flag burner to “indulge in moronic behavior” (111).
Practice: Using one of the assigned readings for your class, complete the following exercises.
1. Use a signal phrase, such as So-and-So claims, to lead into a full-sentence quotation from the reading. Use quotation
marks, and close with a parenthetical citation that includes the page number of the quotation.
2. Use a different signal phrase to lead into a paraphrase of a sentence or two from the reading. Change the original
wording substantially, but make sure your paraphrase retains the meaning of the author’s words. Close with a
parenthetical citation.
3. Use a signal phrase to lead into a combination of paraphrase and quotation. You may begin with the paraphrase you
created in #2, but quote a key phrase (a few words, not a complete sentence) in place of part of that paraphrase. Use
quotation marks, and close with a parenthetical citation that includes the page number of the quotation.
Copyright (C) 2016. All rights reserved. This handout is part of a library of instructional materials used in California State University, Long Beach’s writing
center, the Writer's Resource Lab. Educators and students are welcome to distribute copies as long as they do so with attribution to all organizations and
authors. Commercial distribution is prohibited.