Patterns of Plagiarism

Below are examples of 15 patterns of plagiarism, followed by 3 patterns of non-plagiarism. Click on each pattern name to see a prototypical example. For further learning, try the tutorials and practice tests with feedback. For additional help, see decision support, hints, and IU criteria.

Key: wfw=word-for-word plagiarism; para=paraphrasing plagiarism

1. Clueless Quote: wfw because no quotes, no citation, no reference
2. Crafty Cover-up: proper paraphrase but wfw also present
3. Cunning Cover-up: para because no citation, no reference
4. Deceptive Dupe: wfw because no quotes, no citation, but has reference
5. Delinked Dupe: wfw because no reference, even though quotes and citation
6. Devious Dupe: correct quote but wfw also present
7. Dippy Dupe: wfw because quotes missing, even though full citation and reference
8. Disguised Dupe: looks like proper paraphrasing, but actually wfw because no quotes, no locator
9. Double Trouble: both wfw and para, although has reference
10. Linkless Loser: wfw because citation and reference lacking, although has quotes and locator
11. Lost Locator: wfw because missing locator, although has quotes, citation, and reference
12. Placeless Paraphrase: para because no reference, although citation present
13. Severed Cite: para because reference but no citation
14. Shirking Cite: wfw because lacks locator and reference, although quotes and citation present
15. Triple D--Disguised Disconnected Dupe: wfw--looks like proper paraphrasing, but no quotes, no reference, no locator

Patterns of Non-Plagiarism

1. Correct Quote: takes another's words verbatim and acknowledges with quotation marks, full in-text citation with locator, and reference
2. Proper Paraphrase: summarizes another's words and acknowledges with in-text citation and reference
3. Parroted Paraphrase: appears to be paraphrasing, and technically may not be plagiarism, but ... ???

See also tutorials and practice tests with feedback.