What is plagiarism?

Plagiarism is using other people’s work or ideas without giving them credit. Whenever you use information resources, you need to tell your audience that you used the work of others while you were doing your work. If you do not cite your sources, you are essentially saying that you formulated all the ideas in your paper by yourself.

According to the Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, to plagiarize is:

1. to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own;
2. to use (a created production) without crediting the source;
3. to commit literary theft.

Why does this matter? Primarily, because Severn School values students who demonstrate good character, conduct and scholarship. Students are asked to sign the Severn Honor Code, which states that you will not lie, cheat, or steal. Plagiarism is clearly a violation of Severn standards.

This plagiarism lesson is designed to help you understand that sometimes you have to cite information you get from somewhere else, and other times, you don't have to cite that information.

While citing sources may seem like extra work for you, it might help to think of your bibliography in another way. Try to think of it as proof of all the hard work you put into your research. It provides your audience with a paper trail that allows them to follow the research steps that you took.

Adapted from: Turner, John. "And I Quote." Severna Park, MD: Severn School, 2004.