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First-Year Information Literacy Program: Unit 5

The SPU library First-Year Information Literacy Program is designed to equip students with essential skills for academic success and lifelong learning.

Plagiarism and Copyright

In this unit, we will dive into two important topics that every student should understand: Plagiarism and Copyright. Knowing how to navigate these concepts will help you maintain academic integrity and respect the creative work of others. Let’s get started!

In academic and professional writing, understanding plagiarism and copyright is crucial to maintaining integrity and respecting intellectual property. This module will define both concepts, explore their significance, and provide guidance on how to avoid plagiarism while complying with copyright laws.

🌟 Learning Objectives

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

  1. Define plagiarism and copyright.
  2. Identify different types of plagiarism.
  3. Understand the importance of citing sources.
  4. Recognize copyright laws and their implications.
  5. Apply strategies to avoid plagiarism in your writing.

Understanding plagiarism and copyright is essential for your success in academia. By respecting others’ work and properly citing your sources, you contribute positively to the academic community and protect yourself from potential issues.

A: 📚 What is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism is using someone else's work, ideas, or expressions without giving them credit. It’s like saying, “I did this!” when someone else actually did the work. 😮 Here are the types of plagiarism you should know:

  • Direct/Intentional Plagiarism: Copying text word-for-word without citation. 🚫

    • Copying a friend’s or classmate’s work

    • Buying or borrowing papers

    • Cutting and pasting blocks of text without providing documentation of the original source

    • Borrowing images and other media without documentation of the original source

    • Publishing work on the Web without the permission of the creator

  • Self-Plagiarism: Reusing your own work without acknowledgment. (Yes, it can happen!) 🔄
  • Mosaic Plagiarism: Mixing phrases from different sources without citation. 🧩
  • Accidental/Unintentional Plagiarism: Failing to cite sources by mistake. (Oops!) ❌

    • Careless paraphrasing

    • Poor documentation of sources

    • Quoting excessively

    • Failure to use your own ideas or words

Plagiarism Is A Crime by UCT Libraries

D: 🚀 How to Avoid Plagiarism

Here are some easy steps to keep your work original and authentic:

  1. Paraphrase: Put ideas into your own words and cite the source. 🖊️
  2. Quote: Use quotation marks for direct quotes and always give credit. 🗨️
  3. Cite Your Sources: Choose a citation style (like APA or MLA) and stick with it. 📚
  4. Keep Track: Use tools to keep notes on your sources. This will make citing easier later! 🗂️

Test your Knowledge

B: 💡 Why Is Citing Sources Important?

Citing sources is like giving a shout-out to the people who inspired you. Here’s why it matters:

  • Builds Credibility: Your work shines when you show you’ve done your research! 📖
  • Maintains Integrity: Academic honesty is key to a successful educational journey. 🏆
  • Avoids Consequences: Plagiarism can lead to serious penalties, like failing grades. 😱

C: 📜 What is Copyright?

Image courtesy of Bookworm translations

Copyright is the right to copy. It is a legal device that provides the creator of a work of art or literature, or a work that conveys information or ideas, the right to control how the work is used. It is a property right given to authors or creators of ‘works’, e.g literary works, artistic works, musical works, sound recordings, films and broadcasts or computer programs, to control the copying or exploitation of their work (Publishers' Association of South Africa, 2007).

Here are some important points to remember:

  • Duration: Copyright usually lasts for the creator’s lifetime plus 70 years. ⏳
  • Fair Use: This allows you to use small portions of copyrighted work for purposes like criticism, teaching, or research. It’s a bit of a grey area, so always check! ⚖️

E: 🛠️ Tools and Resources

  • Plagiarism Checker: Use tools like Turnitin to ensure your work is original.
  • Citation Manager: RefWorks can help you organize your references. 📑
  • SPU Library: Don’t hesitate to visit your SPU library for help with citations and writing. They’re there for you! ✍️

F: SPU Plagiarism policy

How to Avoid Plagiarism in 5 Easy Steps