subject: How to Borrow Information From a Source Without Plagiarizing [print this page] How to Borrow Information From a Source Without Plagiarizing
When you're writing an article based on a specific topic that you're not too familiar with, you're more than likely going to have to do some research. While using someone else's expertise on a topic you're unaware of is perfectly fine, stealing their exact words is PLAGERIZING, just don't do it. Instead you can paraphrase, summarize or use quotations around the author's work.
Paraphrasing is basically putting someone's information in your own words. There are several helpful hints to help you with paraphrasing.
Read the passage until you completely understand what it's about.
Put the article aside and write down important keywords from the article
Start writing
Once you finish compare your article with your sources and if you have any of the same exact wording use "quotation marks."
Once you include the paraphrased material in your work, give credit to the original author.
For Example: (Courtesy of Purdue Online Writing Lab)
A. The twenties were the years when drinking was against the law, and the law was a bad joke because everyone knew of a local bar where liquor could be had. They were the years when organized crime ruled the cities, and the police seemed powerless to do anything against it.
B. During the twenties lawlessness and social nonconformity prevailed. In cities organized crime flourished without police interference, and in spite of nationwide prohibition of liquor sales, anyone who wished to buy a drink knew where to get one.
Summarizing is similar to paraphrasing but instead of putting the entire passage in your own words, you're going to only include the main points of the material. You can use the same tips above to help you summarize.
"Quotation Marks" This part's easy, if you're using someone's direct statement put quotation marks around it. But be careful not to use too many quotations because you want your article to be something you've written. Quotations in an article should draw attention to the reader, and should be of some profound piece of material you simply can't put into your own words.
