PLAGIARISM AND HOW

TO AVOID IT

WELCOME WEEK 2022

Dr Lan Nguyen
Learning Hub

Access the slides: https://bit.ly/GRUL_LH

The University of Sydney Page 1

 Overview

Main strategies for avoiding plagiarism

➢ Referencing

➢ Quoting

➢ Paraphrasing

➢ Summarising

The University of Sydney Page 2

 Plagiarism

Plagiarism means presenting another person’s work as one’s own work by

presenting, copying or reproducing it without appropriate acknowledgement
of the source.
(University of Sydney: Academic
Honesty in Coursework Policy 2015)

The University of Sydney Page 3

 Plagiarism

Unintentional plagiarism arises from:

• Poor referencing

• Inability to paraphrase

• Inhibition about writing in the

student’s own words.

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 Main strategies for avoiding plagiarism

• Referencing

• Quoting

• Paraphrasing

• Summarising

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 How to avoid poor referencing
• Become familiar with the referencing
style(s) frequently used in your
discipline

• Use a referencing management

system

Which citation style is used in your

discipline?
If you don’t know, how can you find out?

The University of Sydney Page 6

How to find out which is the right referencing style to use in an
assignment?

• Your Unit of Study outlines &/or assignment instructions

• Your tutor or lecturer

• Your department’s guidelines

• The Library

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Referencing management systems

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 There’s a better way
Referencing
Styles &
EndNote support
from the Library

With one click, you can:

How to use
- Save sources to your library Zotero in 7
minutes
- Insert citations to your text Learning Hub:
Drop-in session
- Create full reference lists

The University of Sydney Page 9

 Referencing: Two elements

• In-text citation

• Full reference in the reference list

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 In-text referencing and full reference

“Referencing is an essential part of academic writing. Its purpose is to acknowledge the

original source of ideas and work that is not the author’s own, and to point the reader to the
original documents so that they can determine independently whether the attributed sources
support the author’s argument as written” (University of Sydney, 2019). In-text
citation

References
University of Sydney (2019, February 29). Endnote Citation Guides.
http://libguides.library.usyd.edu.au/c.php?g=508172&p=3476960

Full reference in the

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reference list
 Two main referencing systems:
• Parenthetical system (sometimes called ‘Author – Date’)

• Notes system

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Parenthetical systems (Author – Date)
In-text
(Author + Date)

Full reference
Reference list

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 Notes system

In-text
number

Full reference
(numbered)
(here in
Endnotes)

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 https://libguides.library.usyd.edu.au/citation

The University of Sydney Page 15

 Quoting, paraphrasing, summarising

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 Quoting
– Using the source’s exact words

When to quote:
- engaging original wording
- well-known excerpt
- precision matters (e.g.,
definitions)

But:
- use sparingly

The University of Sydney Page 17

Short quotations

Double quotation marks

in APA (single in other
Page number styles)

Godfrey (2018, p. 52) advised, “the appropriate number of quotations to use will vary
according to the subject and type of assignment”.
Verbatim

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 Block quotations:

No quotation marks. >25 words in Harvard

Indented 1cm >40 words in APA
Brick et al. (2017) explained that most lecturers expect their students to extend their
learning beyond the theories and concepts outlined in class, and that students will:
their own research and analytical skills, . . . learn to use the many sources of
knowledge that contribute to academic life, including books, journals and
databases . . . and use the library and other resources to deepen their
understanding. In so doing, students will develop skills in identifying relevant
information and evaluating its relevance in relation to specific problems. (p. 60)

Page number
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 Paraphrasing

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 Your own version of someone’s Use your own words but keep
written work the meaning

What is paraphrasing?

Ensure the work is referenced

Change the sentence structure

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 How to paraphrase?

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 Key steps to paraphrasing
Read the original text carefully

Note down main ideas

Write your paraphrase

(without looking at the original text)

Compare your paraphrased text with the

original
(make adjustments)

The University of Sydney

Cite the source Page 23
 Checklist for effective paraphrase

DID YOU…

• communicate the original meaning?

• use different words?
• use different sentence structure/word order?
• cite the source?

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 • Communicate the original meaning?
• Use different words?
Is this text paraphrased correctly? • Use different sentence structure/word order?
• Cite the source?

Original text Paraphrased text

Referencing is an essential part of academic Referencing is an important aspect of

writing. Its purpose is to acknowledge the original academic writing. Its aim is to acknowledge
source of ideas and work that is not the author’s the original source of ideas that are not the
own, and to point the reader to the original writer’s own work, and to direct others to the
documents so that they can determine original sources so that they can decide
independently whether the attributed sources whether the sources support the author’s
support the author’s argument as written. argument (University of Sydney, 2019).

The University of Sydney Page 25

 • Communicate the original meaning?
• Use different words?
Is this text paraphrased correctly? • Use different sentence structure/word order?
• Cite the source?

Original text Paraphrased text

Referencing is an essential part of academic Referencing is an important aspect of

writing. Its purpose is to acknowledge the original academic writing. Its aim is to acknowledge
source of ideas and work that is not the author’s the original source of ideas that are not the
own, and to point the reader to the original writer’s own work, and to direct others to the
documents so that they can determine original sources so that they can decide
independently whether the attributed sources whether the sources support the author’s
support the author’s argument as written. argument (University of Sydney, 2019).

The University of Sydney Page 26

 • Communicate the original meaning?
• Use different words?
Is this text paraphrased correctly? • Use different sentence structure/word order?
• Cite the source?

Paraphrased text
Original text
Referencing is an important aspect of
Referencing is an essential part of
academic writing. Its aim is to
academic writing. Its purpose is to
acknowledge the original source of
acknowledge the original source of
ideas that are not the writer’s own
ideas and work that is not the author’s
work, and to direct others to the
own, and to point the reader to the
original sources so that they can
original documents so that they can
decide whether the sources support
determine independently whether the
the author’s argument (University of
attributed sources support the author’s
Sydney, 2019).
argument as written.
Red font- repeated words from the original text.
The University of Sydney Page 27
28
• Communicate the original meaning?
• Use different words? X
Is this texted paraphrased correctly?
• Use different sentence structure/word order? X
• Cite the source?

Original text Plagiarised text

Referencing is an essential part of academic
Referencing is an important aspect of
writing. Its purpose is to acknowledge the
academic writing. Its aim is to acknowledge
original source of ideas and work that is not
the original source of ideas that are not the
the author’s own, and to point the reader to
writer’s own work, and to direct others to the
the original documents so that they can
original sources so that they can decide
determine independently whether the
attributed sources support the author’s
whether the sources support the author’s

argument as written. argument (University of Sydney, 2019).

The University of Sydney Red font- repeated words from the original text. Page 28
 • Communicate the original meaning?
Is this text paraphrased correctly? • Use different words?
• Use different sentence structure/word order?

Original text • Cite the source?

Referencing is an essential part of Paraphrased text

academic writing. Its purpose is to An important aspect of writing at university is
acknowledge the original source of ideas referencing. The aim of referencing is to ensure that
and work that is not the author’s own, and the source of your ideas are clearly acknowledged.
to point the reader to the original Correct referencing can also allow others to locate
documents so that they can determine the original source and to check whether you have
independently whether the attributed used their ideas appropriately (University of
sources support the author’s argument as Sydney, 2019).
written.
The University of Sydney Page 29
 • Communicate the original meaning?
Is this text paraphrased correctly? • Use different words?
• Use different sentence structure/word order?

Original text • Cite the source?

Referencing is an essential part of Paraphrased text

academic writing. Its purpose is to An important aspect of writing at university is
acknowledge the original source of ideas referencing. The aim of referencing is to ensure that
and work that is not the author’s own, and the source of your ideas are clearly acknowledged.
to point the reader to the original Correct referencing can also allow others to locate
documents so that they can determine the original source and to check whether you have
independently whether the attributed used their ideas appropriately (University of
sources support the author’s argument as Sydney, 2019).
written.
The University of Sydney Page 30
 • Communicate the original meaning?

Is this text paraphrased correctly? • Use different words?

• Use different sentence structure/word order?
• Cite the source?

Original text Paraphrased text

Referencing is an essential part of academic An important aspect of writing at university is

writing. Its purpose is to acknowledge the referencing. The aim of referencing is to ensure that

original source of ideas and work that is not the source of your ideas are clearly acknowledged.

the author’s own, and to point the reader to Correct referencing can also allow others to locate

the original documents so that they can the original source and to check whether you have

determine independently whether the used their ideas appropriately (University of Sydney,

attributed sources support the author’s 2019).

argument as written. Red font- repeated words from the original text.
The University of Sydney Page 31
 • Communicate the original meaning?

Is this text paraphrased correctly? • Use different words?

• Use different sentence structure/word order?
• Cite the source?

Original text Paraphrased text

Referencing is an essential part of academic An important aspect of writing at university is

writing. Its purpose is to acknowledge the referencing. The aim of referencing is to ensure that

original source of ideas and work that is not the source of your ideas are clearly acknowledged.

the author’s own, and to point the reader to Correct referencing can also allow others to locate

the original documents so that they can the original source and to check whether you have

determine independently whether the used their ideas appropriately (University of Sydney,

attributed sources support the author’s 2019).

argument as written. Red font- repeated words from the original text.
The University of Sydney Page 32
 • Communicate the original meaning?

Is this text paraphrased correctly? • Use different words?

• Use different sentence structure/word order?
• Cite the source?

Original text Paraphrased text

Referencing is an essential part of academic An important aspect of writing at university is

writing. Its purpose is to acknowledge the referencing. The aim of referencing is to ensure that

original source of ideas and work that is not the source of your ideas are clearly acknowledged.

the author’s own, and to point the reader to Correct referencing can also allow others to locate

the original documents so that they can the original source and to check whether you have

determine independently whether the used their ideas appropriately (University of Sydney,

attributed sources support the author’s 2019).

argument as written. Red font- repeated words from the original text.
The University of Sydney Page 33
 Summarising
What is summarising?

Shortening a piece of text and restating the important main points

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 Can you summarise this text?
– Original
What system of referencing should be used?

There are a number of referencing styles, which are used according to the needs and
preferences of different subjects. However, it is easier for students and teachers if a
school adopts and teaches a consistent referencing system. The examples of referencing
used in this guide are based on the Harvard referencing system, also known as the
Author–Date system. This style is generally used in the physical, natural, and social
sciences. Although the basic principles remain the same, different institutions/publishers
use their own variations, so slight differences in use may be observed (SACE Board of
SA 2012, p. 1)

Reference
SACE Board of SA 2012, Guidelines for Referencing, SA

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 Key steps to summarising

• Read the original text and understand the main ideas.

• Write down the key points in your own words.

• What is the author’s position?

• What reporting verb can you use?

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 Read the original text and understand the main ideas.
Write down the key points in your own words. Let’s practice!
What is the author’s position?
What reporting verb can you use?

Original text
What system of referencing should be used?
There are a number of referencing styles, which are used according to the needs and preferences of
different subjects. However, it is easier for students and teachers if a school adopts and teaches a
consistent referencing system. The examples of referencing used in this guide are based on the Harvard
referencing system, also known as the Author–Date system. This style is generally used in the physical,
natural, and social sciences. Although the basic principles remain the same, different institutions/publishers
use their own variations, so slight differences in use may be observed (SACE Board of SA 2012, p. 1)
Reference
SACE Board of SA 2012, Guidelines for Referencing, SA
The University of Sydney Page 37
Summarising Student work – possible
answer
Read the original text and understand the main ideas. Key points:
- Some different styles of
Write down the key points in your own words. referencing
- Depends on subject
What is the author’s position? - Schools should use the
What reporting verb can you use? same one to make
referencing easier for
Original
students
What system of referencing should be used?
There are a number of referencing styles, which are used according to the needs
and preferences of different subjects. However, it is easier for students and Author’s position:
teachers if a school adopts and teaches a consistent referencing system. The Advisory
examples of referencing used in this guide are based on the Harvard referencing
system, also known as the Author–Date system. This style is generally used in
the physical, natural, and social sciences. Although the basic principles remain Reporting verbs
the same, different institutions/publishers use their own variations, so slight
differences in use may be observed (SACE Board of SA 2012, p. 1)
Advises, highlights,
suggests
References
SACE Board of SA 2012, Guidelines for Referencing, SA

The University of Sydney Page 38

 Summarising
Re-read the original to ensure your notes are correct.
Write these points in your own words. Student work – possible
Check that you have included a suitable in-text reference (without page number) answer
and noted the details for inclusion in your reference list.
Original Depending on the subject,
different referencing styles can
What system of referencing should be used?
be used (SACE 2012). The
There are a number of referencing styles, which are used according to the
SACE Board suggests that the
needs and preferences of different subjects. However, it is easier for
students and teachers if a school adopts and teaches a consistent same style should be used to
referencing system. The examples of referencing used in this guide are make referencing easier on
based on the Harvard referencing system. This style is generally used in the students.
physical, natural, and social sciences. Although the basic principles remain
the same, different institutions/publishers use their own variations, so slight References
differences in use may be observed (SACE Board of SA 2012, p. 1) SACE Board of SA, 2012,
Guidelines for Referencing, SA
Reference
SACE Board of SA 2012, Guidelines for Referencing, SA
The University of Sydney Page 39
Differences between paraphrasing and summarising

Paraphrase Summary

is a similar length to the original is shorter than the original

has the same meaning as the original is an overview of the main ideas

includes examples and details does not include examples

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 Wrap Up

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Step 1: Go to Kahoot.it
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