Because so many students seem to be confused about footnoting and referencing in academic papers, a number of departments have collaborated in developing this brief guide: What Every Student Should Know (at least) About Plagiarism and Referencing. We say at least because this Guide is not the final word--it contains general information and basic accepted standards.

GENERAL PERSPECTIVE

Footnotes, references, and citations are extremely important components of academic work. Quotations must always be footnoted or endnoted. A paraphrase of something, or even a heavy reliance on someone else, should be noted. Students should not be afraid that there is some negative connotation attached to a noted paragraph--the critical fact is how you utilize the information, argument, etc. In other words, your own argument and exposition are most critical. You should avoid any attempt to pretend that you do not draw heavily on the thinking, wisdom, and knowledge of others.

Another and related function of references and footnotes is to refer the reader to more elaborated discussions, primary sources of data, and other information which would be useful to the reader in pursuing the subject further and in evaluating your thesis. In this sense, your notes are important extensions of your thesis. They also provide the absolutely necessary means for others to evaluate the adequacy of your description, and of your analysis and conclusions.

Normally, quotations should be used sparingly. You should avoid the trap of making your paper into a string of quotations, properly cited or not. The problem with this technique is that, as with all data, such quotations seldom speak for themselves. You should remember to explain, in your own words what is being said and why its important and relevant.

PLAGIARISM

Plagiarism is an extremely serious offense. It is lying, cheating, and/or stealing. The maximum penalty is expulsion from the University (USM Student Conduct Code, III.A.1).

To plagiarize is to steal and use (the ideas or writings of another) as one's own (American Heritage Dictionary, 1973:1001). Legally, plagiarism has been defined as the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his/her writings, or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one's own mind (O=Rourke v. RKO Radio Pictures: 483). The student should note that neither of these definitions includes intention or motivation--it is the act itself which constitutes plagiarism. Ignorance, naiveté or sloppiness is no excuse.

Put another way, the act of plagiarism is a form of theft (taking of ideas) and a form of fraud (misrepresentation). You should remember that ideas and creativity are as valuable as tangible property. Simply put, the rule is to give credit where credit is due.

There are three basic forms of plagiarism; 1) quoting, 2) paraphrasing, and 3) stealing ideas. A few simple rules and illustrations should help you avoid any of these mistakes. All of the following illustrations will refer to the same source, a quotation from Gabriel Kolko, a noted historian:

When you repeat a passage or statement, word for word, you are quoting another person. When you reproduce without acknowledging that you have done so and from whom, you have plagiarized another person's work. Quotations must be designated as such, generally by placing quotation marks around the repeated statement. All quotations must be repeated exactly, and cited exactly, giving all the appropriate information concerning who said it, where, and where you found it. To avoid plagiarism, you must include both the quotation marks and the citation.

When you restate a passage, keeping the essence or central ideas of the original passage intact but altering its form or substituting other words, you are paraphrasing. When you translate the original in order to clarify or obscure a meaning, concept, or idea, you are paraphrasing. When the idea or statement is presented as your own, or if you do not properly cite the original source, then such paraphrasing is plagiarism. Generally, when you paraphrase, you should include information in the text, such as Aaccording to Kolko or as Kolko "suggests" to indicate the directness of your source. You must also give a complete and accurate citation.

When you use ideas which you have fully or partially gleaned from an identifiable source, or set of sources, you must properly acknowledge the origin of these ideas. You must also give credit to another author whose work has helped you in the organization or development of your thinking. Failure to give credit for an idea is plagiarism. The sources or set of sources should be cited sufficiently to give the reader an indication of the extent of your indebtedness. In addition, key phrases and concepts which are not in general use, or are being used in a special sense, should be placed in quotation marks and cited when they are first employed.

Obviously, buying and/or submitting papers or exams written by another person is plagiarism (and generally, cheating). Using any paper, exam, etc. written wholly or partly by another person is also both plagiarism, and usually cheating. You should also realize that the rules about plagiarism pertain to all work, including preparation for debates, class reports, study assignments, etc., even though the rules and forms for a citation may not be quite as stringent. IF IN DOUBT, ASK YOUR INSTRUCTOR.

FORMS OF NOTING AND CITING

There are many forms for references, footnotes, and citations, and this guide can only provide general guidelines along with suggestions about where to find more information. There are, however, some basic rules, forms, and problems you should understand.

The basic rule is simple: whatever citation form you adopt, it should be consistent, and it should provide clear, accurate, complete, and usable information to the reader. Some faculty may insist on a particular style; others may not. But all faculty will insist that you clearly and consistently convey the necessary information.

The most complete and authoritative guide to this formal style (and also to a myriad of other formal details involved in writing a proper paper) is Turabian, A Manual For Writers Of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. Copies of Turabian are generally available at bookstores and on reserve. Extensive discussion, and illustrations, of this formal style can also be found in APolitical Science Style Guide for Writing Papers.

END NOTES

*This guide has been prepared by the Criminal Justice Program with the assistance and cooperation of the Department of Communications, Geography-Anthropology, Political Science, Sociology, and History, and draws heavily upon materials previously created by several of those departments.