SJLibrary.org, a collaboration of San Jose State University and San Jose Public Library system.

Plagiarism

To plagiarize is to "steal and use (the ideas or writings of another) as one's own." (American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. 1975). You are committing plagiarism if you:

• Copy phrases, sentences, or passages from electronic or print sources (journal articles, the web, etc.) into your own papers and reports without giving credit by citing the original source
• Quote someone else's exact words without giving credit to the original author
• Use someone else's specific ideas even if you restate them in your own words.
• Citing your sources properly helps you avoid plagiarism.
  • See Citing & Writing.

SJSU regards plagiarism as academic dishonesty. Consequences include academic and other sanctions such as "grade modification". See the SJSU policy on plagiarism.

Make clear which ideas are yours and which are someone else's…don't use words or images in a way that violates the creator's rights to them.

Web Sites

• Plagiarism: What It is and How to Recognize and Avoid It produced by Writing Tutorial Services, Indiana University, Bloomington
• The Meaning and Prevention of Plagiarism from the Office of Student Judicial Affairs, UC Davis.