Putting it in your own words…
1. What does paraphrase mean? Go to to find out!
Definition:
Now, try an example on your own:
Read the short article below, then briefly put it in your own words (summarize and be sure to change more than just a couple of words around—if you copy three words in a row, that’s plagiarism!)
Of the more than 1000 bicycling deaths each year, three-fourths are caused by head injuries. Half of those killed are school-age children. One study concluded that wearing a bike helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 85 percent. In an accident, a bike helmet absorbs the shock and cushions the head.
"Bike Helmets: Unused Lifesavers," Consumer Reports (May 1990): 348.
2. What is common knowledge? Go to , Click on the last red bullet at the bottom of the first section that says: “Terms You Need to Know (or What is Common Knowledge)
Define Common Knowledge:
If you absolutely have to use someone else’s exact words, all you have to do is put those words in quotation marks.
For example:
“Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy.”
Then, make a brief citation using parenthesis next to the words you used that has the author’s last name and the page number of the words that you used.
For example:
“Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy.” (Lewis 1)
At the end of your paper (or project) be sure to include a works cited sheet. This is just a list of the books, web pages, and other articles that you’ve used, written in a special way. This is called MLA format.
Keep going to learn MLA format.
To learn the MLA format for a book with one author, visit this web page:
3. Now, write the format (using correct punctuation) in the space below:
Here is how I cited the book I used for my quote on the front page:
Lewis, C. S. The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. New York: Collier Books, 1950.
4. Now it’s your turn! Grab a book off of the shelf and open to a random page. Quote a sentence from the book (just one!) properly. Be sure to include a parenthetical citation (the author’s last name and the page number in parenthesis) and a citation. Look back to the bottom of the front page—the quote from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe—if you need help.
Your quote (make sure you use quotation marks!), followed by a parenthetical citation (author's last name and page #):
5. Now, write your citation (the source that it came from in MLA format). Just follow the format you wrote down for question 3—just make sure you used the book you took the quote from:
6. How do you write a citation for a website? Go to to discover how. (HINT: The information is right on this page—just read it! :) )
Write out the format using correct punctuation:
7. How can you avoid plagiarism? Visit
Give credit when:
1.
2.
3.
4.
**P.S. It is not plagiarism to write down the four steps from the website since the link is included with question 7 and the citation appears here:
“Plagiarism: What It is and How to Recognize and Avoid It.” Writing Tutorial Services. Indiana University: Bloomington. April 27, 2004. Web. September 20, 2012.
Finally, it’s time to be creative! Make a colorful poster explaining any aspect of plagiarism (what it is, consequences, how to avoid it, how to give credit, how to paraphrase, etc…). Have fun and be creative!
Mrs. Lang will collect your poster on Monday!