Plagiarism is one of the most serious academic offences at any university. The consequences range from a failing grade to permanent expulsion. Yet many students commit plagiarism not out of dishonesty but out of misunderstanding — they do not fully know what counts as plagiarism or how to avoid it. This guide clears up that confusion once and for all.
What Is Plagiarism?
Plagiarism is presenting someone else's words, ideas, data, or creative work as your own — whether intentionally or accidentally. It includes copying text directly without quotation marks and citation, paraphrasing too closely without attribution, and failing to cite sources for ideas that are not your own.
⚠️ Important: You can be found guilty of plagiarism even if you did not intend to plagiarise. Ignorance of the rules is not accepted as a defence by most universities.
Types of Plagiarism
1. Direct Plagiarism
Copying text word-for-word from a source without using quotation marks or providing a citation. The most obvious form of plagiarism and the easiest for Turnitin to detect.
2. Mosaic Plagiarism
Mixing copied phrases with your own words without proper attribution. Even if you change some words, if the sentence structure and ideas remain the same without a citation, it is still plagiarism.
3. Paraphrasing Without Attribution
Rewriting someone else's idea in your own words but failing to cite the original source. You must cite the source even when you paraphrase.
4. Self-Plagiarism
Submitting work you have previously submitted for another assignment — even your own previous work — without permission. This is increasingly common and most universities treat it as a serious offence.
5. Accidental Plagiarism
Failing to cite a source due to poor note-taking, forgetting where an idea came from, or misunderstanding citation rules. Equally penalised despite being unintentional.
How to Paraphrase Correctly
Paraphrasing is not simply replacing a few words with synonyms. True paraphrasing involves understanding the original idea and expressing it entirely in your own words and sentence structure — followed by a citation.
"The rise of social media has fundamentally altered the way young people communicate, socialise, and form their identities." (Smith, 2021, p. 45)
The growth of social media has significantly changed how young people communicate, socialise, and develop their identities. (Smith, 2021)
According to Smith (2021), platforms such as Instagram and TikTok have reshaped the social development of younger generations, influencing not only their relationships but also how they construct a sense of self.
💡 Technique: Read the original passage, close the document, then write what you remember in your own words. Then check back to make sure you have not inadvertently copied any phrases.
When to Use Direct Quotations
Direct quotations should be used sparingly — only when the exact wording of the original is important, such as a precise definition, a key theoretical statement, or a particularly powerful phrase. Overuse of quotations suggests you are not engaging critically with the material.
When you do quote directly, always use quotation marks, include the page number in your citation, and follow it with your own analysis of why the quote is significant.
Understanding Your Turnitin Report
Turnitin produces a similarity score — a percentage indicating how much of your text matches other sources in its database. It is important to understand what this score does and does not mean:
- A high similarity score does not automatically mean plagiarism — it may include properly quoted and cited material
- A low similarity score does not mean your work is plagiarism-free — paraphrased plagiarism may not be flagged
- Most universities consider scores below 15-20% acceptable, but this varies by institution
- Turnitin flags matches — your marker decides whether they constitute plagiarism
Practical Steps to Avoid Plagiarism
- Keep detailed notes — always record the source, page number, and whether you are quoting or paraphrasing
- Cite as you write — do not leave referencing until the end
- Use a reference manager — tools like Zotero or Mendeley help you track and format sources automatically
- Understand common knowledge — well-established facts do not require citation, but anything that is specific, contested, or original to a particular author does
- Run your own Turnitin check — many universities allow students to submit a draft before the final submission
- Ask your tutor — if you are unsure whether something needs a citation, it almost certainly does
The Consequences of Plagiarism
The penalties for plagiarism vary between institutions but can include a mark of zero for the assignment, failure of the module, suspension, or permanent expulsion from the university. In postgraduate contexts, plagiarism can result in the revocation of a degree — even years after it has been awarded.
Beyond the academic consequences, plagiarism undermines your own learning and development. Every time you engage genuinely with a source and express ideas in your own words, you build the analytical and communication skills that will serve you throughout your career.
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