How would you feel if somebody used your ideas and didn’t even mention your name? It is more than just unethical—it’s a terrible act.
When ideas or information are taken from others without giving them their due credit, it is called source-based plagiarism.
It is not like taking relevant information from external sources is bad; rather, it is good, and it will complement your content. Just as Charles H. Spurgeon says, “All originality and no plagiarism makes for dull preaching.”
The problem is to not mention the source of the information. The person who came up with the idea deserves credit and you have to give it.
In this article, I will explain to you what source-based plagiarism is and how to avoid it while creating content.
What is source-based plagiarism?
Source-based plagiarism is to use information, ideas, or materials from a source (like a book, website, or article) in your own work, but you don't properly credit where that information originally came from.
If you have to use somebody’s content in your work, you need to modify it to blend with your content and cite the sources correctly. You cannot just copy some lines and paste them into your content.
Let's have some examples so you can understand better, just as Albert Einstein once said, “Example isn’t another way to teach, it is the only way to teach.”
Examples of source-based plagiarism
Let’s take an instance: Brian, a university student, is working on his final year project. He found an article online that perfectly supports his arguments. Instead of summarizing the findings in his own words and giving credit to the original researcher, he rephrases it to avoid plagiarism. He avoids citing where his ideas came from.
He might not have copied word for word, but he plagiarized the source material, misleading his readers about the origin of the insights.
As I mentioned earlier, you can use some content from any source. There could be many reasons for that, like:
- You find some lines that complement your thoughts, so you copy them into your content.
- There could be a saying from a popular person that you want to quote in your content to make your arguments stronger.
- You want to mention the latest news or updates about your niche from a news report or article.
- Sometimes, you may want to make up facts so that your argument looks strong. This is also a type of plagiarism, and believe me! It is the worst one, as it misguides readers, especially when the content is medical-related.
Why is source-based plagiarism so bad for writers?
Source-based plagiarism is especially harmful to writers. As it is their job to produce original content every time they are asked to.
There is no justification for using others in your writing when you are paid to write from scratch. You and your client can both face lawsuits and penalties for that.
If not, it will surely damage your reputation, and hunting clients will become tougher. Other than that, Google can easily detect plagiarized content. It will harm the website where it is published. This defeats the purpose of hiring a writer, as you all know original content and high-quality content are very important for SEO and organic traffic.
If any plagiarism is found in your content, you will be flagged as non-professional. Writers are hired to narrate a unique perspective of the business. Copying content from other sources will never fulfill the purpose of writing, which will lead to a failed campaign, and you will be held responsible. Good luck with hunting new clients then!
Why is this important to avoid source-based plagiarism?
Source-based plagiarism is copying words, ideas, or materials from a source without mentioning the original creator. It could be from a book, website, or article.
It's important to avoid this because:
- In school and work, some rules say you must give credit to sources you use. If not done, you have to do the whole work again.
- Every creator has ownership rights to his work. If you want to use their work, ask them politely. If they don’t give you permission, look for any other source.
- Readers have a right to know from where you have got that information. They want to know if the information is accurate or not. For that purpose, provide links to the sources.
- Don’t you think the person who came up with the idea first should be given credit? They deserve it and you should credit them for their efforts.
Real-life examples of plagiarism
- A novel, “The Leaving,” was published in 2019. His author Jumi Bello was accused of using passages from many sources.
- A student was found using portions of online content for the entrance essay of Harvard University in 2017.
How to avoid source-based plagiarism
Source-based plagiarism refers to using words, ideas, or materials directly from a source (book, website, journal, etc.) and not giving any sort of credit to the creator.
To avoid this type of plagiarism specifically:
Quoting sources
- Any content used as it is has to be put in inverted commas like a saying or golden words
- Provide an in-text citation immediately after the quote
- Include the full source reference in your bibliography/reference list
Paraphrasing sources
- Rewrite the content taken from your understanding
- Do not just swap out some words; you must rewrite the idea completely
- Still, provide an in-text citation to credit the source
Using data/images/media
- Get permission if required to reproduce copyrighted visuals, data, etc.
- Provide a caption or note citing the source
Citing sources properly
- Follow the specific citation style guides (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.)
- Use all the parts required for the citation
- Be consistent with your citation formatting throughout
Manage source materials
- Keep careful track of all sources used while researching
- Use citation management software if permitted
- Check sources again before submitting to ensure all are cited
Conclusion
Source-based plagiarism is a big problem for writers. Using others’ content without permission and giving credit is not only unethical, but it also breaks copyright laws and can lead to legal trouble.
You can lose your reputation as a writer, and it will become harder to get more work.
It is your personal, social, and legal responsibility to avoid source-based plagiarism. It should be quite simple for you to do that. Just provide references, practice paraphrasing techniques, obtain permission for copyrighted materials, and use citations according to specific style guidelines.
The guidelines I have mentioned above will help you manage these source materials to write plagiarism-free content. Use it in all of your future works and share it with others to make the internet plagiarism-free.
Frequently asked questions
If I copy from a book, is it plagiarism?
Taking content from anywhere is plagiarism. If you take it from a book, yes, it is plagiarism. If you have to, use it with quotation marks and provide a reference.
What happens if you cite the wrong source?
Citing the wrong source will not get you in jail, but it is your responsibility to do it right. Wrong sources will misguide your audience and will label you as an irresponsible person.
Can a plagiarism checker detect source-based plagiarism?
Yes, they can. These tools are specially designed to do this very thing. They scan your writing and match it with all the sources present online. Any match will cause plagiarism.
Other related blogs:
- Direct plagiarism - How to avoid academic dishonesty with examples
- What is mosaic plagiarism - 7 Tips to prevent during scientific writing
- Accidental Plagiarism: How It Happens And How To Avoid It
- What is Self Plagiarism: Is Recycling Your Own Work Plagiarism?
- Global plagiarism - 7 reasons why you should avoid it in academic writing