Academic Writing Style and Plagiarism

Academic Writing Style and Plagiarism

42Academic Writing In academic writing, you are encouraged to reference other reputable works. Referencing experts and other reputable work:

1. Gives your work credibility
2. Shows that you have done your research
3. Indicates that your findings are research-based
4. Shows that you have considered the theories and results of other experts

However, you must give credit to the authors whose work you referenced. Failing to do so will be an act of plagiarism. Plagiarism should be avoided.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

43Plagiarism “an act or instance of using or closely imitating the language and thoughts of another author without authorization and the representation of that author's work as one's own, as by not crediting the original author” (dictionary.com).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

44Citations “the act of citing or quoting a reference to an authority or a precedent” (dictionary.com).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

45Sources “any person, book, organization, etc, from which information, evidence, etc, is obtained” (dictionary.com).
46   References “a direction of the attention to a passage elsewhere or to another book, document, etc” (dictionary.com). Sources and references are usually listed on a Works Cited, Sources or Reference Page at the end of the work.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

47Style Guides In academic writing, you will be required to structure your work using a style guide.

A style guide documents a wide range of rules and guidelines for written work. It usually includes rules for formatting citations. Some common style guides are:

1. MLA (Modern Language Association) (USA)
2. APA (American Psychological Association) (USA)
3. Chicago Manual of Style (USA)
4. University of Cambridge Style Guide (British)

Many style guides for academic writing suggest that you include in-text citation and a list of works cited. Please consult your recommended style guide for instructions on correctly producing direct or paraphrased in-text citations and lists of references.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

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