To avoid plagiarism, one should:
- Cite sources properly whenever using someone else's ideas or words, including full details required by the citation style.
- Use quotation marks around any direct quotes to clearly distinguish those words as not your own.
- Paraphrase carefully , rewriting ideas in your own words without changing their meaning, and cite the source even when paraphrasing.
- Contribute original ideas rather than just repeating others' work; if referencing others' ideas, cite appropriately.
- Keep organized notes and track sources while researching to avoid accidental plagiarism.
- Use plagiarism checkers to detect any unintentional copying before submitting work.
- Avoid self-plagiarism by citing your own previously published work when reused.
Additionally, avoid copying and pasting directly from sources without citing, and always give credit for both words and ideas. Maintaining clarity between your own thoughts and sourced materials is essential to responsible writing. These common practices form a strong foundation to steer clear of plagiarism in academic or professional writing.
