What is Verbatim Plagiarism? Know Its Consequences and Examples

You might find it interesting to know that plagiarism isn’t simply a matter of copying exactly what someone else wrote. It also includes using different words to say the same thing without giving credit. This is still considered wrong in school.

There are various ways that one can accidentally plagiazise. But one of the most common that most of you might have known was called verbatim plagiarism. It is easy enough to write correctly. Such that you are not breaking any rules on the copying or repetition of one’s work. With a little bit of knowledge on the various types of plagiarism, including verbatim plagiarism.

The following blog will examine in more detail what verbatim plagiarism is. And what it can mean. We will also learn how to spot it. And resolve it with the help of an example. Before your teacher runs your work through a check plagiarism free tool online. It is also essential that everybody around in school knows how serious a crime it is to plagiarize.

What is Verbatim Plagiarism?

Verbatim Plagiarism appears when you copy someone else’s words into your own work. Without saying where they came from.

This could mean using the exact same words as the original, or changing them a little bit. However, when most of the words and the way they are put together remain the same, it is still verbatim plagiarism even if you shift some words around.

Using somebody else’s words in school writing is acceptable, but you have to credit them. marks. And saying where they’re from in your writing. You can use the help of online homework and assignment help experts. To help you do this the right way in MLA or APA Style.

Consequences of Verbatim Plagiarism

Verbatim Plagiarism, presenting another person’s work as though it were your own. Without proper acknowledgement. Is a no-no. It is inexcusable. If you are a student doing a written assignment and your plagiarism is discovered. You could be in a lot of trouble. You could fail the course or the assignment. Or even face expulsion from school.

The issue arises even in the professional world if you do not state the source or reference for the information you’ve written, even if it is in your own words from a piece of work you’ve done earlier. You have to state the reference. Or people will find it difficult to take your work seriously.

And in case you are a professional writer. And you’re caught copying someone else’s work or even your own old work. It can get you in big trouble. You might break your contract with your publisher, and that’s not good.

4 Ways to Avoid Verbatim Plagiarism

Though, thank goodness, it is not hard to stay clear of plagiarism once you know what it is. You can clean up your writing in these ways:

1. Include Quotations and Cite Your Sources

Whenever you use someone else’s ideas or words, you must give them credit. Record your source by writing down their full name. The date it was published and anything else your style guide asks for.

If you use the exact words from a source in your writing. A simple way to avoid plagiarism is by putting those words in quotation marks. This shows they’re not your own words. You should also tell who said those words so readers know where they came from.

2. Paraphrase

Paraphrasing is using your own words to repeat another person’s ideas or information. But maintaining the same meaning. One should take caution because when done the wrong way, you will paraphrase wrongly. It can turn into verbatim plagiarism.

To paraphrase correctly and avoid plagiarism, it’s like doing a dance. You need to change the words and the way you organize them so they’re unique. Make sure you keep the original idea the same. Since the idea isn’t yours. You must still give credit to where you got it from by citing the source.

3. Present Your Own Idea

Instead of just repeating what someone else has said or written. Think about what you can say on the topic. Consider what special thoughts or opinions you have that no one else has mentioned.

If you have to write about the same topic more than once. You might want to use some of your old words again. We call this self-plagiarism. The trouble with self-plagiarism is just as big as verbatim plagiarism. If you don’t have permission from the publisher or your teacher to use your past work again.

4. Use a Plagiarism Checker

While researching a topic. Some phrases or sentences might stick in your mind so well that you end up using them in your writing. Without giving credit. If you’re in doubt. An online plagiarism tool can identify these issues for you before you submit your work.

Use a free plagiarism checker for students that scans your text to see if anything is borrowed. These tools indicate whether parts of your writing are plagiarized. Some tools even show you exactly which words or sentences are the problem and tell you where they came from.

An Example to Help You Avoid Verbatim Plagiarism

Furthermore, take a look at the following example to help you understand verbatim plagiarism better:

Referenced Text:

“The changes brought by war were really bad, not just for the people who got hurt or died fighting. When General Custine’s army, which supported the republic, captured Mainz in the Rhineland in October 1792. Local patriots took things into their own hands to show they supported freedom and equality. They formed a group called the Society of Friends of Liberty and Equality, which had five hundred members. They also made their own version of a song called the ‘Marseillaise’. And called it the ‘Bürgerlied der Mainzer’. And they also planted a tree to represent liberty.”

This text was originally taken from p. 182 of: McPhee, P. (2016). Liberty or death: The French Revolution Book.

Verbatim Plagiarised Writing:

· After the capture of Mainz in Rhineland. Local patriots took things into their own hands to show they supported freedom and equality.

The words of the original author were used here without saying where they came from. This is called verbatim plagiarism.

Good Writing:

· After the capture of Mainz in Rhineland, “local patriots took things into their own hands to show they supported freedom and equality.” (p. 182 of McPhee, P. (2016). Liberty or death: The French Revolution)

When you use someone else’s words exactly, you have to put them in quotation marks and say where they’re from.

Final Thoughts

Verbatim plagiarism happens when you copy someone else’s work word for word. Or very close to it, without saying where you got it from. This has become a very big issue, especially in schools.

Try using your own words when preparing a paper or report, making sure to mention where you got your information from.

Generally speaking. It doesn’t matter from where you write. It is very important, to be honest and not to plagiarize. If you have that feeling you just need to check the originality of the work. You may just use a plagiarism checker free online.