by Jeannie Pitt

Created on: December 25, 2008   Last Updated: December 03, 2011

For many, the word "plagiarism" was likely learned in school. By definition, plagiarism is the act of copying or using the thoughts of another writer and claiming them as one's own original ideas or creation. Years ago, when the internet was merely a spark of an idea held in the distant future of information technology, it was much harder to come by information for writing assignments. With methods for research being more time consuming, the possibility of plagiarism was a common solution for students on a time deadline. Today, with the internet readily available in homes, libraries, cafes and the workplace, it has become even more common for students to copy an article or entry and therefore avoid the challenge of creating original thoughts for a writing assignment.

For internet writers, plagiarism is also a common problem. Thankfully, services like CopyScape are in place to help alleviate concerns for original work being copied and represented by fraudulent means.

This service will not solve the problem of plagiarism, but it does help considerably. Writers are encouraged to check their own work, periodically, to ensure it is not being used by others claiming to possess ownership.

While most people with character would never dream of copy/pasting an article and affixing their own pen name to the byline, it is possible to accidentally plagiarize another author's thoughts or ideas, especially when the topic of interest is not a topic well-known to the writer. Here are some tips to help avoid plagiarism when writing articles, stories, news pieces, or blog entries.

Of course, you will begin with an idea. If this idea encompasses a topic of which you are quite familiar, it's likely you'll formulate thoughts based upon your own experience, and steer perfectly clear from duplicating writing style or idea flow of another author. If research is required, however, the best thing to do is to take notes. Open up a blank Word or other word processing document, and record 1-5 word phrases that encompass particular points you'd like to present. While doing your research, read thoroughly so as to fully comprehend the research.

When you are finished with your informational investigation, refer back to your notes and you'll find that original thoughts will formulate from your short phrases, as your brain will quickly recall an overview of what you've learned. If is preferable, then, to create your article immediately while the information is still fresh in your mind.

If you

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