The writer copies significant portions of text straight from a single source, without alteration. 

The writer turns in another’s work, word-for-word, as his or her own. 

The writer has altered the paper’s appearance slightly by changing key words and phrases. 

The writer copies from several different sources, tweaking the sentences to make them fit together while retaining most of the original phrasing. 

The writer takes the time to paraphrase most of the paper from other sources and make it all fit together. 

The writer “borrows” generously from his or her previous work.

The writer mentions an author’s name for a source, but neglects to include specific information on the location of the material referenced.

The writer provides inaccurate information regarding the sources, making it impossible to find them.

The writer properly cites all sources, paraphrasing and using quotations appropriately. The catch?  The paper contains almost no original work!

The writer properly quotes and cites sources in some places, but goes on to paraphrase other arguments from those sources without citation.