Understanding Plagiarism: Types, Consequences, and Prevention
February 06, 2026
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1 min read
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Plagiarism is presenting someone else's work or ideas as your own. It ranges from intentional copying to accidental failure to cite sources properly. Understanding its forms is the first step to avoiding it.
Types of Plagiarism
- Direct plagiarism: Copying text word-for-word without attribution
- Self-plagiarism: Resubmitting your own previously submitted work
- Patchwork plagiarism: Combining paraphrased passages from multiple sources without citation
- Accidental plagiarism: Forgetting to cite sources or improperly paraphrasing
Consequences
Academic consequences range from failing an assignment to expulsion. Professional consequences include damaged reputation, legal action, and job loss. Even unintentional plagiarism carries penalties.
Prevention Strategies
- Take detailed notes with source information while researching
- Learn proper paraphrasing techniques
- Use citation tools to format references correctly
- Run your work through a plagiarism checker before submitting
Use our plagiarism checker and citation generator to ensure your work is original and properly cited.