1. Introduction

Academic writing plays a crucial role in university education and research, especially for students majoring in English language studies. One of the most fundamental principles of academic writing is academic integrity, which involves proper citation of sources and avoiding plagiarism. Failing to cite sources correctly—or not citing them at all—can result in serious academic misconduct, affecting students’ academic records and reputations.

2. What is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism is the act of using someone else’s ideas, words, or intellectual work without giving appropriate credit. It can take various forms, including copying text verbatim, paraphrasing without acknowledgment, or even self-plagiarism—reusing one’s previous work without permission or proper citation.

Common examples of plagiarism include:

• Copying sentences or paragraphs from books, articles, or websites without quotation marks or citation.
• Slightly rewording a source’s text while keeping its structure and meaning, without citation.
• Using statistics, theories, or arguments developed by others without mentioning their names.
• Submitting a previous paper for a new assignment without approval.

3. Why Citation Matters

Citing sources properly not only allows readers to verify information but also:

• Shows respect for intellectual property.
• Enhances the credibility and reliability of your arguments.
• Demonstrates your ability to research and synthesize information effectively.
• Helps you avoid plagiarism, maintaining academic honesty and professionalism.

4. Common Citation Styles

Several citation styles are used in academic writing, such as APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard. Among these, the APA (American Psychological Association) style is widely used in the fields of linguistics, education, and social sciences.

APA 7th Edition In-Text Citations:

• Direct Quotation:

“Language is not simply a mirror of reality” (Halliday, 1994, p. 23).

• Paraphrasing:

Halliday (1994) argues that language plays a more active role in constructing reality.
Or:
Language helps construct reality, not just reflect it (Halliday, 1994).

Reference List Entry:

Halliday, M. A. K. (1994). An Introduction to Functional Grammar (2nd ed.). Edward Arnold.

5. Techniques to Avoid Plagiarism

a. Summarizing

Condensing the main ideas of a large section of text using your own words. A summary is broader and less detailed than a paraphrase.

b. Paraphrasing

Restating a specific idea from a source in your own words and sentence structure, while still giving credit to the original author.

Original: "Plagiarism is a serious academic offense that can lead to expulsion."
Paraphrased: Plagiarism is regarded as a significant violation in academic contexts and may result in expulsion from the institution (Smith, 2020).

c. Quoting

Using the exact words of the source. The quoted text must be placed in quotation marks and followed by a citation including the page number.

“Academic integrity is essential to the credibility of research” (Brown, 2019, p. 45).

6. Using Plagiarism Detection Tools

Students can use tools like Turnitin, Grammarly, Quetext, or Scribbr to check their assignments before submission. These tools help detect similarities and suggest areas that may need proper citation or revision.

However, these tools should be used as support, not a substitute for understanding the rules of academic integrity.

7. Practical Tips for Students

• Take careful notes while reading, including author names, publication dates, and page numbers.
• Prefer paraphrasing over quoting to demonstrate understanding and maintain a consistent writing voice.
• Use plagiarism checkers before submission to avoid unintentional overlap.
• When in doubt, always cite the source—or ask your instructor for clarification.