Plagiarism can put your degree at risk — and many students commit it without realising. This guide explains exactly what counts as plagiarism and how to stay completely clear of it. 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.
📋 Table of Contents
- What Is Plagiarism?
- Types of Plagiarism
- How to Paraphrase Correctly
- Quote, Paraphrase or Summarise?
- When to Use Direct Quotations
- Understanding Your Turnitin Report
- What Counts as Common Knowledge?
- AI Tools and Plagiarism
- Practical Steps to Avoid Plagiarism
- Final Checklist
- The Consequences of Plagiarism
- Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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⚠️ Important: You can be found guilty of plagiarism even if you did not intend to plagiarise. Many universities do not accept ignorance of the rules as a defence.
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. Often treated as plagiarism despite being unintentional, although penalties may be lighter.
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)
Smith (2021) argues that social media has transformed how young people interact with each other and how they come to understand who they are.
💡 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.
A good paraphrase stays faithful to the source. It changes the wording and structure but adds no claims the author did not make. Here is a second example, showing a mosaic problem and its fix. The source is invented for illustration.
"Sleep deprivation impairs memory consolidation, reducing the brain's ability to store new information." (Jones, 2019, p. 12)
Sleep deprivation impairs the consolidation of memory, which reduces how well the brain stores new information.
Jones (2019) reports that going without enough sleep makes it harder for the brain to turn new learning into lasting memory.
For more worked examples, see our guide to paraphrasing without plagiarising.
Quote, Paraphrase or Summarise?
| Technique | What you do | What to cite |
|---|---|---|
| Quote | Use the exact words, in quotation marks | Author, year and page number |
| Paraphrase | Restate one idea fully in your own words and structure | Author and year, with a page number if your style requires it |
| Summarise | Condense the main points of a whole source or section | Author and year |
All three need a citation. Changing the words does not remove the need to credit the idea.
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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
- There is no universal acceptable score, because policies vary by institution and assignment, so check yours
- Turnitin flags matches — your marker decides whether they constitute plagiarism
What Counts as Common Knowledge?
Common knowledge is information that is widely known and not disputed, so it does not need a citation. If you are unsure, cite it or ask your tutor.
- Usually no citation: well-established facts, such as water boiling at 100°C at sea level.
- Cite: specific statistics, such as "unemployment fell by 3% in 2023".
- Cite: an author's interpretation, argument or theory, even if you agree with it.
- Cite: anything contested or that you learned from a particular source.
AI Tools and Plagiarism
Many universities now have policies on AI writing tools. Some ban them for assessed work, while others allow limited use if you declare it. Submitting AI-generated text as your own without permission can be treated as academic misconduct, and AI tools can invent sources that do not exist. Check your module guide and university policy before using any tool, follow what is allowed, and verify every source you cite.
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
Final Checklist Before You Submit
- Is every direct quotation in quotation marks, with a page number?
- Is every paraphrase in your own words and structure, with a citation?
- Does every idea, statistic and argument from a source have a citation?
- Does the reference list match the in-text citations, in the required style?
- Have you avoided reusing earlier work without permission?
- Have you followed your institution's policy on AI tools?
- Have you checked any similarity report and fixed unattributed matches?
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be accused of plagiarism if I didn't mean to?
Yes. Many universities do not treat lack of intent as a defence — accidental plagiarism from poor note-taking or misunderstanding citation rules can still be penalised, although penalties are sometimes lighter than for deliberate plagiarism.
What Turnitin percentage counts as plagiarism?
There is no universal cut-off. Universities set their own policies, and these can vary even by assignment type. A high score does not automatically mean plagiarism, since it may include properly quoted and cited material — your marker makes the final judgement.
Is it plagiarism to reuse my own previous work?
Yes — this is called self-plagiarism. Submitting work you have previously submitted for another assignment, even your own, without permission is increasingly treated as a serious academic offence. Always get explicit permission before reusing any of your own previous work.
Do I need to cite common knowledge?
No. Well-established facts that are widely known and undisputed do not require a citation. However, anything specific, contested, statistical, or original to a particular author's argument does need to be cited, even if it feels like common knowledge to you.
What happens if I'm found guilty of plagiarism?
Penalties vary by institution but can include a mark of zero for the assignment, failure of the module, suspension, or permanent expulsion. In postgraduate contexts, plagiarism can even result in the revocation of a degree years after it was awarded.
Is paraphrasing plagiarism?
Not if it is done properly. A paraphrase must use your own words and sentence structure, stay faithful to the source, and include a citation. Changing a few words, or leaving out the citation, is still plagiarism.
How do I avoid plagiarism in an essay?
Keep careful notes of your sources, cite as you write, put direct quotations in quotation marks, paraphrase in your own words and structure, and make sure your reference list matches your in-text citations in the style your institution requires.
Do I need to cite a paraphrase?
Yes. A paraphrase is still someone else's idea, so it needs a citation even though the words are your own.
Can I use AI tools without plagiarising?
It depends on your institution and module. Some ban AI tools for assessed work and others allow limited use with a declaration. Submitting AI-generated text as your own without permission can be treated as misconduct, so check the policy first.
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