• Using someone else's words, opinions or ideas without giving credit to the source;
• Using facts, statistics, graphics, drawings, or any other type of information that is not considered common knowledge without giving credit to the source.
• Paraphrasing someone else's words without giving credit to the source.
• Giving credit to the source" means naming, or citing, the source from which the borrowed material comes.
Plagiarizing is a violation of academic integrity. It can lead to very serious consequences, ranging from failing an assignment to failing a class and/or other disciplinary measures. The best way to avoid plagiarism is to cite your source in the format specified in your English 102 course. When in doubt, ask your instructor or a librarian.
For more insight, go to our Avoiding Plagiarism guide. This is an excellent resource with videos, online tutorials, even quizzes that will help you understand what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid.