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Avoiding Plagiarism
Unit 2: Referencing
The importance of referencing

Citations and references help others to differentiate between your original thoughts and the ideas of others.

Feedback:

Correct. Citations and references enable you to acknowledge where you have used the work of others. Thorough
referencing is essential to avoid accusations of plagiarism.

Including lots of citations and references will make it seem like I don't have any of my own ideas.

Feedback:

Correct. It is important to place your own ideas in context. Demonstrating that you have researched your topic
and that you have understood the existing academic debates in your discipline will contribute towards a good mark for your
work.

I can just list all my sources in the references list at the end of my work.

Feedback:

Correct. A reference list at the end of your assignment by itself is not enough. You also need to cite brief details
of the source in-text - i.e. at the point in your work where you refer to the original source.

Referencing will enable me to receive useful feedback on my work.

Feedback:

Incorrect. By distinguishing your own work, you will receive feedback that will help you to understand how to
develop your ability to write and express yourself clearly.

I only need to include a citation and reference when I am directly quoting somebody.

Feedback:

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Correct. You should include a citation and reference when you use other people's ideas, whether in a quotation or
not.

A reference is not necessary for well-known information.

Feedback:

Correct. References are not necessary for readily available information which is classed as 'common knowledge':
for example, the height of the Eiffel Tower or the dates of the Boer War. Remember that what is 'common knowledge' may
vary according to your discipline.

Citations and references will enable other people to follow my research trail and extend it in accordance with their own
interests.

Feedback:

Correct. Citations and references are not simply a mechanism for avoiding potential plagiarism: they allow
interested readers to locate your sources and read around your topic in greater depth.

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