Sourcing Your Quotations
Every year students are accused of plagiarism and every year someone will be prevented from sitting their exams because they have cheated - not just in the subject in which they cheated but in all their subjects.
This is serious - the examination boards employ people specifically to look for people who have copied from books - there is even a story of one examiner who was reading a piece of coursework and read a whole chunk of text lifted from a book he had written!!
There are several ways to ensure that you do not fall into this trap.
Firstly NEVER copy out chunks of text from books and internet sites when you are taking notes and researching, always place your information into bullet points and into your own words. Sometimes you forget which bits of text are yours and which belong to someone else - if you always bullet point and put text into your own words then this problem can be overcome.
Do not think that just because you used a thesaurus and changed a few sentences and words round that something becomes yours!! There is direct plagiarism and such a thing as copying the "spirit" of a piece of work - you will be punished for both.
Do not lend out your work to other people - I know this is an uncharitable thing to say but people will copy - instead direct them to internet sites and books that you have used! Certainly never give your work to someone in the lower years - we keep copies!!
Teachers are not stupid!! ( a revelation!) We know your standard of writing and your ability and can tell when something is not your work - I have a great time asking you the meaning of words with five syllables that you've used and have no idea what they mean!
Always, always, always QUOTE and REFERENCE your sources - don't do it at the last minute - do it as you are going along!
COPYING SOMEONE ELSE'S WORK IS CHEATING! YOU WILL BE PUNISHED, UPSETTING FOR YOU, YOUR PARENTS AND YOUR TEACHERS - DON'T DO IT!!