Achievement 3 : Content Etiquette: What is Plagiarism?

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The lack of in-depth knowledge of what can be termed, 'Plagiarism' is responsible for so many writers/artists commiting this gravious crime. And you could be an experienced writer with many years in writing but still find yourself plagiarising without even knowing, if you don't have a better knowledge of what it is (plagiarism). In this post, we'll be considering, what is plagiarism? What it means to plagiarise, and it's consequencies.

What is plagiarism?

The word plagiarism has come from the latin word 'plagiarious' which means to kidnap. As the plagiarism definitation suggest, when someone uses the work of another artist without properly citing the source, then that will be an instance of plagiarism; a punishable offense, a form of intellectual theft.^Source

In other words, plagiarism can be described as an act of presenting someone else's intellectual work or ideas as your own, without their consent, by making it part of your work without full acknowledgement.

Therefore, the manner by which certain individuals handle or use these intellectual properties belonging to other people, whether knowingly or unknowingly, that is not in conformity with the laid down laws for doing so are acts considered plagiarism.

Acts that are considered plagiarism

There are so many acts in the course of writing or using other atists' work that constitute plagiarism. They include;

Turning in someone else's work as your own
Copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit.
Failing to put a quotation in quotation marks.
Given incorrect information about the source of a quotation.
Copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority of your work, whether you give credit or not. ^Source

Penalty for plagiarism

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Like i mentioned above, plagiarism is a grave offense that attract punishement;

most cases of plagiarism are considered misdemeanors, punishable by fine any where between $100 to $50,000 - and up to one year jail in the United State. Plagiarism can also be considered as a felony under certain states and federal laws. ^Source

After reading and grasping what plagiarism is in this post, you will agree with me that, when handling or using people's intellectual properties, serious caution should be exercised. And the consequencies is not worth it. As a writer therefore, it's your obligation to abide by the laws guiding copy wright.

As for me, i have read and understood the Steemit Etiquette on Steemit Community and will do my best to embrace them.