| When writing an essay or dissertation, many | | | | is acknowledgement of the true source |
| would believe that their content and essay | | | | · A student quoting another's work, but failing to |
| structure are the most important factors to be | | | | acknowledge them in their referencing |
| considered. However, within any essay, of equal | | | | Any essay of merit, will always contain reference |
| importance is the need to correctly follow the | | | | to another individual's work or theories, this could |
| rules of referencing. To fail to do so, can lead to | | | | occur in many formats including; direct quotes, |
| the writer being charged with plagiarism, which in | | | | indirect citations, website data, journal entries or |
| essence, is academic theft. This can be the theft | | | | online newspaper articles. Each and every |
| from a published writer or a fellow student. This | | | | occurrence should be referenced appropriately |
| can lead to points being deducted before your | | | | and sufficiently both within the text and at the |
| essay is even read properly, you could face your | | | | end of the essay, within the References and /or |
| essay being rejected, severe penalties may be | | | | Bibliography section. |
| imposed by your place of study, and at worst | | | | It is important not only to remember to |
| you could face criminal charges. | | | | reference but to also reference in line with your |
| The main point to remember is: If it is not your | | | | particular essay guidelines. Your tutor, school, |
| original work it must be referenced fully! | | | | college or university will be able to provide you |
| The accusation of plagiarism can, and often, arises | | | | with the exact referencing rules that apply to you. |
| simply through the incorrect or insufficient | | | | It is wise to get to grips with these at the start |
| referencing of another's material within your | | | | of your course so that the process of |
| essay. Students often unknowingly or | | | | referencing becomes second nature to you as |
| unintentionally commit acts of plagiarism. Examples | | | | you write your essays. |
| of this happening are: | | | | Top tips |
| · A student choosing to paraphrase another's | | | | 1. Find out, learn and understand the referencing |
| work by changing a few words and then failing to | | | | rules for your essay |
| acknowledge that they are not their own words | | | | 2. Ensure that any comment, thought, theory or |
| · A student paraphrasing another's work without | | | | data that isn't directly from you, is referenced |
| the correct use of quotation marks even if there | | | | 3. |