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Throughout your writing career, you will undoubtedly experience issues with regard to plagiarism. Because the Internet makes copying other people’s work so easy, institutions and employers are increasingly concerned with academic integrity and/or unique content. Sometimes you may accidentally plagiarize without knowing it, because due to the size of the Internet, someone may have written a similar phrase or sentence. Protecting yourself from plagiarism is simple with Internet services and proper writing.
Do not write after Reading an Article
The Internet enables people to read and write content instantaneously, but consider the repercussions of doing so beforehand. If you go to write a chapter or article based off something you just read, chances are you might accidentally plagiarize. This is achieved by accidentally writing down a key phrase or two that “stuck out†in your mind, which is detrimental to your writing career. Other similarities probably exist, but the programs cannot check for “similar†patterns… yet. Consider reading the article, letting the information mettle in your mind, then writing an hour later. If the information did not sink in, chances are it was not that important – or you are simply reading to “mimic†content, but in your own words. Either way, ditch the content for something more organic.
Strain Your Content through the Net
When submitting content for school or work, know that people are paranoid about clean and unique content. Whether you are being paid for it or need it to graduate, if you submit questionable content, your livelihood and reputation is on the line. Use services such as CopyScape and TurnItIn to verify your writing before submitting it. While it is not a foolproof system, these are the most popular websites used by employers and schools across America. If any matches are found, revise the content and resubmit until no results are found.
