The chart below shows some examples of the right and wrong ways to use a source text.
The three categories explained (Word-for-Word copying, paraphrasing, Mosaic plagiarism) come from the Framingham High School Research Guide, which includes additional examples.
Original Source: “About 90% of the alcohol consumed by youth under the age of 21 in the United States is in the form of binge drinks” (“Binge Drinking”).
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RIGHT way = CITED RESEARCH |
WRONG way = PLAGIARISM |
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1. Word-for-Word quotation with quotation marks and citation: “About 90 of the alcohol consumed by youth under the age of 21 in the United States is in the form of binge drinks” (“Binge Drinking”). Explanation: I have put quotation marks around the underlined section and added a citation, because I used the source’s exact words. Go me! |
1. Word-for-Word copying without quotation marks or citation: A great majority of youth under the age of 21 in the United States is in the form of binge drinks. Explanation: The underlined section copied the original source's exact words. I should have put quotation marks around the underlined section and added a citation. Uh-oh. |
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2. Paraphrasing with citation Binge drinking accounts for 90% of the alcohol drunk by people under 21 (“Binge Drinking”). Explanation: I have paraphrased the source’s original idea, and I documented the source of this idea by adding a parenthetical citation. I rock! |
2. Paraphrasing without citation Binge drinking accounts for 90% of the alcohol drunk by people under 21. Explanation: Since I'm paraphrasing the source’s original idea, I should have documented the source of this idea by adding a citation. Oh dear. |
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3. Mosaic Quotation “About 90%” of the alcoholic beverages “consumed” by Americans younger than 21 years “is in the form of binge drinks” (“Binge Drinking”). Explanation: I put quotation marks around the parts of the text that are exact words taken from the original source and I've paraphrased the other parts of the sentence. I added a citation at the end of the sentence. I get an A+! |
3. Mosaic Plagiarism About 90% of the alcoholic beverages consumed by Americans younger than 21 years is in the form of binge drinks. Explanation: The underlined words are taken directly from the text, so I should have put quotation marks around them and added a parenthetical citation. I messed up. |
Work Cited
"Binge Drinking." CDC. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 7 Nov. 2012. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. <http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/binge-drinking.htm>.
Work Consulted
Framingham High School Research Guide. Framingham, MA: Framingham High School, 2010. Framingham High School. Web. 10 July 2014.
<http://www.framingham.k12.ma.us/fhs/library/Research_Guide_Sixth_Edition.pdf>
Paraphrase v. Plagiarism
Original Text:
“Opponents of ephedra claim that the product is legal methamphetamine, or speed” (168).
“In February 2000, medical experts raised concerns about mental side effects of ephedrine such as nervousness and irritability” (168).
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Acceptable Paraphrases: Ephedra has been called a legal version of speed, the street name for methamphetamine (168). Some users of ephedrine experience mental side effects, including “nervousness and irritability,” according to a February 2000 study (168). Explanation: These are acceptable paraphrases because though the information comes from the original source, I have completely rewritten the sentences. If there are phrases that cannot be rewritten (for example, there’s no exact synonym for “nervousness and irritability”), they need to be in quotation marks. |
Unacceptable Paraphrases (Plagiarism): People who oppose ephedra claim that it is legal methamphetamine, or speed (168). In February 2000, doctors highlighted the mental side effects of ephedrine like nervousness and irritability (168). Explanation: These are considered plagiarism because the sentence has not been rewritten; only a few words were changed. If there are whole sentences that I cannot rewrite, I should leave the whole sentence in its original form and put inside quotation marks. |
Work Cited
“Ephedra.” Drugs and Controlled Substances: Information for Students. Eds. Stacey L. Blachford and Kristine Krapp. New York: Thomson Gale, 2003. Print.
