What is Plagiarism and How to Avoid It

Plagiarism, the use of other peoples' work without credit, is an activity that History Fair students should avoid at all costs. It is a form a cheating that can result in a failing grade in a class or disqualification of a History Fair project. Sometimes plagiarism occurs because people just do not know better or engage in sloppy note-taking. Innocence, however is no excuse. Frankly, it is embarrassing to get caught-and in some cases, can affect a student's career.

But don't despair! There are tools available for teachers and students to support efforts to avoid plagiarism. Both websites offer PDF files that can be downloaded and distributed to students.

This great site has an activity worksheet teachers may use in their classrooms.
On Plagiarism: www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=158

For a superb rubric, go to "Avoiding Plagiarism" Web Page: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_plagiar.html