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How Can We Avoid Self-Plagiarism?

Erin N. McGee

MIST Department, California State University Monterey Bay

IST511- Writing Workshop

Dr. Sarah Evanick

November 10, 2020

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How Can We Avoid Self-Plagiarism?

If self-plagiarism is reusing ideas, thoughts, or work you have previously submitted

(Streefkirk, 2020). How can we, as students, avoid plagiarizing ourselves? Haven’t all writers

reworked essays, term papers, and previous writings for different classes? How many times has

an author improved upon their non-fiction work in their subsequent books? To these questions,

there are two simple answers. First, don’t turn in work you have previously turned in. Second,

citing yourself for work you have submitted in another class or for publication is not only ok, it’s

encouraged.

Reuse a Thought, but Don’t Reuse a Paper

Unless you have received permission from your instructor, you must not turn in a paper

you have turned in for another class (Streefkirk, 2020). This does not always apply if you are

compiling your thesis or dissertation, but it’s always best to check with your instructors, college

program, and educational institution. In the case of our Capstone projects for example, they are

cumulative and accomplished in pieces as we move through the MIST program, and since

students are working in the realm of one concept, there will be crossover in papers, visuals, and

projects. As we expand our knowledge of our personal Capstone topics, use of our personal work

may not be viewed as self-plagiarism.

When In Doubt, Cite

Mark Twain said, “There is no such thing as a new idea. It is impossible. We simply take

a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope. We give them a turn and they

make new and curious combinations. We keep on turning and making new combinations

indefinitely; but they are the same old pieces of colored glass that have been in use through all

the ages” (Twain & Kiskis, 2010). When studying and subsequently writing for an ongoing
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project, such as our Capstones, we twist our topic kaleidoscope to create new work. Though it

may not be intentional, it is easy to forget where you read something or how you have phrased a

thought previously. We are all guilty of phrasing a sentence word-for-word by way of how we

speak. We use colloquialisms and phraseology regularly in our writing. In other words, when in

doubt, cite. You should take copious notes and keep running lists of sources. When writing about

a subject you have previously submitted about, it is ok, to cite yourself.

Does Citing Your Work Make You an Egomaniac?

Err on the side of caution when it comes to citing. It is better to be abundant with your

sources, than stingy. With such programs as TurnItIn collecting our work over our college

careers, there is the risk of accidental plagiarizing. Ego is no longer a factor when submitting

citing yourself- it’s safety and academic integrity. Treat each paper as a new and fresh

undertaking, but it is acceptable to reuse sources and ideas, even your own, as long as you use

proper APA citing.

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References

Streefkerk, R. (2020, January 14). 6 Types of Plagiarism and How to Avoid Them (With

Examples). Retrieved from https://www.scribbr.com/plagiarism/types-of-plagiarism/

Twain, M., & Kiskis, M. J. (2010). Mark Twain's own autobiography: The chapters from the

North American review. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press.