What Is Accidental Plagiarism & 9 Prevention Strategies

• Oct 09, 2024
• 7 min read

• Tags: Language, Plagiarism, Plagiarism Checkers

Accidental plagiarism, while unintentional, can have serious consequences in academic and professional settings. It occurs when you present someone’s work unknowingly as your own. 

In this article, we’ll explain the reasons for accidental plagiarism and 9 practical strategies to prevent it. We’ve also included useful accidental plagiarism examples. 

So to begin with, let’s understand why accidental plagiarism occurs. 

What are the causes of accidental plagiarism? 

Not organizing your research sources can lead to accidental plagiarism. Another reason can be language barriers where the student is unfamiliar with the language. The following are some other common causes of accidental plagiarism: 

1. Improper paraphrasing 

Improper paraphrasing occurs when a writer attempts to restate an author’s ideas in their own words. However, they retain the original sentence structure and don’t modify the text enough. Here is an example: 

Original: “The effects of climate change are far-reaching and complex.”

Plagiarized: “The impacts of climate change are wide-ranging and complicated.”

2. Forget to cite sources 

This occurs when a writer forgets to cite the source in the text or in the reference list. For example: 

Original: A recent study by the  Ocean Conservancy found that over 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year. : 

Plagiarized: Original: Over 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, posing a serious threat to marine life.

Also, if you forget to mention one author of a text written by multiple authors, this is also considered accidental plagiarism.

3. Misquoting or misattributing information 

Misquoting involves incorrectly rephrasing a direct quote by changing words, punctuations, or omitting parts. In contrast, misattribution occurs when a writer correctly quotes or paraphrases information but gives credit to the wrong source. 

Here is an example: 

Original quote: “To be or not to be, that is the question.”

Misquoted: “To be or not to be, this is the question.”

Five additional reasons for accidental plagiarism

The following reasons can also cause accidental plagiarism: 

• • • Unfamiliarity with citation rules can lead to accidental plagiarism.
    • Failing to properly attribute sources during note-taking can lead to confusion and accidental plagiarism when writing.
    • Students under pressure to meet deadlines may plagiarize without careful consideration.
    • Cultural differences in academic writing norms can lead to unintentional plagiarism, as what might be considered acceptable in one culture may be considered plagiarism in another. 
    • Distractions while writing or researching can lead to unintentional copying of material without proper attribution.

Now let’s understand 9 strategies to avoid accidental plagiarism! 

Nine strategies to avoid accidental plagiarism 

Following are 9 practical strategies to avoid plagiarism: 

1. Develop strong paraphrasing skills 

Following are some common paraphrasing strategies: 

• • • • Split long, complex sentences into two short sentences (wherever relevant).
      • Combine two short sentences about the same idea using conjunctions (wherever required). 
      • Use synonyms and similar phrases. Take the help of online dictionaries like Merriam-Webster. 
      • Change the sentence structure by:
         1) Ensuring that your sentences don’t begin with the same words as the original sentence.
        2) Shifting the position of nouns and other parts of speech wherever possible.

To understand in detail, you can read the article “How to paraphrase a text”. 

2. Give your own, unique opinions 

Some ways to state your point of view  are: 

• • • • Provide examples based on your personal experiences and observations (wherever relevant). 
      • Discuss how theories might be applied in real-world situations.
      • Create comparisons between two ideas to explain complex ideas in your own way.
      • State whether you agree or disagree and give facts to support your views. 
      • Create “what if” situations to explore potential outcomes or implications.
      • Connect ideas based on your knowledge to give unique insights. 

3. Improve note-taking techniques 

Some strategies to improve note-taking techniques are: 

• • • • Use color coding to distinguish between direct quotes, paraphrases, and your own ideas.
      • Always note the source information alongside your notes (author, title, page number). 
      • Use digital note-taking tools like Evernote or OneNote to organize and tag information.
      • Create summary sheets for each source, including key points and your own thoughts.

4. Understand the required citation style 

To understand the style guide, keep reading about how to cite sources in the chosen style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago, or other). Here are some articles that can help: 

• • • • APA Citations Made Easy with Our Concise Guide for 2024
      • MLA Citation Examples: Cite Essays, Websites, Movies & More
      • Chicago Style Citation: Quick Guide & Examples

5. Time management and planning 

For proper time management, create a schedule and break large projects into small, manageable tasks. Create a checklist and set personal deadlines for completing every task. You can also use tools like Trello and Asana to organize your writing projects. 

6. Keep records of sources used 

Organize and save records of all sources you’ve used in folders. Some strategies for keeping records are: 

• • • • Use a spreadsheet (MS Excel or Google Sheets) or a dedicated note-taking app to record all sources.
      • Include columns for the date accessed, full citation, summary of key points, and relevant quotes.
      • Use browser bookmarks or tools like Pocket to save web pages.
      • Take screenshots of online sources or tools that might disappear. 

7. Understand the types of plagiarism

While direct plagiarism involves copying the exact same words, mosaic plagiarism means combining ideas from multiple sources without crediting them. 

In contrast, self-plagiarism means copying from your previously published work without giving it due credit. If you’re knowingly using someone’s ideas without giving them credit, this is known as intentional plagiarism. Understanding the types of plagiarism can help to prevent it. 

8. Use plagiarism checkers 

You can use online plagiarism checkers provided by Grammarly, QuillBot, PlagiarismDetector.Net, Scribbr, etc. Turnitin, Copyscape, UniCheck, and Duplichecker are some other tools you can use. Upload your document or paste text in these accidental plagiarism checkers to detect any plagiarism. 

Here are some strategies for using these plagiarism tools: 

• • • • Upload your entire document rather than checking small sections at a time.
      • Use more than one plagiarism checker and compare reports. 
      • If available, use features that allow you to exclude quoted text or bibliography to reduce false positives.

9. Take feedback from experts 

Reach out to your instructor to seek overall feedback, including citation rules and expectations. Furthermore, you can also consult any writing center tutors you know for guidance. 

Note: When in doubt about whether to cite something or not, cite the source. 

What are the consequences of accidental plagiarism? 

Following are some of the consequences of accidental plagiarism: 

• • • • Academic penalties: These include reduced or zero grades on assignments, failing the course, and mandatory resubmission of work. 
      • Disciplinary action: Formal warnings, academic probation, and notation on academic records can be initiated against students. 
      • Reputational damage: This can lead to loss of trust from instructors and colleagues and potential impact on academic and professional preferences. 
      • Impact on graduation: Some potential consequences are delays in completing degree requirements, suspension, or expulsion.
      • Loss of funding: This can mean possible revocation of scholarships or grants in serious cases.

You can use the 9 practical strategies mentioned in this guide to prevent any negative consequences related to plagiarism. For future reference, bookmark this article containing examples of accidental plagiarism and plagiarism tools! However, these tools may not provide results that are as accurate as PaperTrue’s plagiarism detection services. 

At PaperTrue, we run your document through our trusted in-house plagiarism-checking software to ensure that your work isn’t plagiarized. With this, we also provide high-quality editing and proofreading services. 

We’re dedicated to providing excellent services! Contact us if you have any questions. 

Here are some resources for you: 

• • Academic Writing in 2024: 5 Key Dos & Don’ts + Examples
  • Top 10 Academic Editing Services of 2024 [with Pricing]
  • Best ChatGPT Prompts for Academic Writing (100+ Prompts!)
  • How to Write a Dissertation | 5 Tips from Academic Editors
  • How to Start an Essay: 4 Introduction Paragraph Examples

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Priya

Priya has a talent for academic research and enjoys simplifying complex topics. When she's not helping students improve their writing, she can be seen reading poetry, playing the harmonium, or learning classical dance.