Writing/Composition: Avoiding Plagiarism
Available in the Library
These books, plus many more, can all be found in the Reference section of our library. Search the Library Online Catalog to find additional resources.
My Word!: Plagiarism and College Culture by Susan D. Blum
Call Number:
PN 167 .B48 2009
Doing Honest Work in College: How to Prepare Citations, Avoid Plagiarism, and Achieve Real Academic Success by Charles Lipson
Call Number:
PN 171 .F56 L56 2008
Stolen Words: Forays into the Origins and Ravages of Plagiarism by Thomas Mallon
Call Number:
PN 167 .M28 1989
Plagiarism
According to Dictionary.com, plagiarism is:
“The unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one’s own original work.”
Plagiarism is a violation of UVF’s Academic Honesty Policy, and may result in the failure of an assignment or a failure of the class.
Avoiding Plagiarism
Here are some links that can help you avoid plagiarism:
Purdue OWL: Avoiding Plagiarism
This site from Purdue University gives you information on avoiding plagiarism in your work.- This site from Duke University lists some of the warning signs to look for and how to prevent plagiarism.
Academic Integrity at Princeton University
This online booklet talks about the ethic of intellectual honesty, shows how to acknowledge your intellectual debts to other people, and considers some of the implications of electronic media as research tools.- Plagiarism.org’s learning center includes tips about avoiding plagiarism, definitions of plagiarism, and explanations of when you do or do not have to cite a reference.
Plagiarism: What It is and How to Recognize and Avoid It
This link from Indiana University explains what plagiarism is and how you can avoid it.
Credit is Due
Plagiarism Games
Test your ability to recognize and avoid plagiarism with these games:
- Plagiarism GameThis game from Lycoming College is a good review of plagiarism knowledge.
- PlagiarismThis interactive tutorial from Acadia University teaches the basics of avoiding plagiarism by learning why, when, and how to cite information sources.
Plagiarism in the News
It’s not just students who get in trouble for plagiarizing:
- On Plagiarism – Wes Siler’s Newsletter Dec 23, 2025