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    Citing Sources in MLA: Plagiarism

    Getting Started Understanding Plagiarism

    What is plagiarism?

    Plagiarism is when a writer intentionally uses someone else’s language, ideas, or other original content without acknowledging its source. Another way of looking at plagiarism is an attempt to pass off the ideas or words of another as one’s own without giving credit to the creator of the content.

    The links below can help you understand more about plagiarism.

    Quotations must exactly match the original source. Paraphrasing is putting something into your own words. Remember to cite when you take from a source--both paraphrasing and quotes need citations.

    Appropriate Levels of Citation

    Plan Your Paper

    If you know you are going to use sources (books, articles, etc), plan how you are going to include them. Balance those sources with your own ideas, so you aren’t relying too heavily on other people’s ideas. Create an outline to make it clear when and where the sources are going to be used.

    Email/Save/Print the Article

    Most databases will allow you to send the article in PDF/HTML format directly to your inbox. Often times, the APA format of the citation will be included. Emailing the article will allow you to have immediate access to the article.

    Take Effective Notes

    Take thorough notes of all the sources you use. Create references when you start taking notes, and mark down page numbers when applicable. This makes it easier to create citations when you go to write the assignment.

    When in Doubt, Cite Your Sources

    If you are unsure if the material is copyrighted or rights protected, always cite where you found it. Always give credit to where you find information, whether from a website, radio program, television, or any place else. Give credit to where it is due.

    In MLA you may end a paragraph with multiple sentences of paraphrasing or quotes with a single in-text citation, provided you haven't used any other source in between and they are from the same page. If you paraphrase your first few sentences, and then add your own opinions, add the citation where the paraphrasing ends, before your own thoughts. You may also omit the author's name and include just a new page number when citing from multiple pages of the same source in the same paragraph. You may also lead in a paragraph that focuses on a single source with an author's name, and then include just page numbers throughout the paragraph.

    Common knowledge: in general, if you didn't need to look it up, a basic fact needs no citation.

    EXCEPT:Always look up, and cite, exact numbers that change often, such as populations.

    Common use software: Software used as tools to complete work generally need no citation: all Microsoft Office or similar office productivity software, statistical software like SPSS or MAXMDA, any Adobe products, program languages, social media apps (especially passing mention or use as a promotional tool for gathering research), or survey makers such as Survey Monkey. 

    EXCEPT: This does not apply to software from which you paraphrase or quote. For example, the Lippencott Advisor app provided by the library is informational and should be cited fully. Some apps may fall into either category depending on how they were used, especially social media apps. Paraphrasing a tweet requires a citation. Referring to twitter as a popular social media app in general does not.

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