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Plagiarism: Strategies

Using other people's words

To avoid using too much of other peoples' words:

  • Understand what you read and come up with your own point of view, argument, or discussion.
  • Use as few quotes, paraphrases, or summaries as possible from the articles you have read.
  • The purpose to quote, paraphrase, or summarize other people's works is only to support or emphasize your argument or point of view.
  • Avoid letting others write the paper for you. Even parts of the paper.

Understanding what you read

  • As you read the articles, write your ideas and thoughts about the article in the margins or in a notebook.
  • Collect your ideas and thoughts from the margins and notebooks to write what you understand about the subject matter.
  • If English is your second language, write your notes in your first language if that is more comfortable for you