Yale Center for Teaching and Learning

Understanding and Avoiding Plagiarism

Having a clear definition of plagiarism can do more than help you avoid it; it can make you a better writer in the process.
Eight common scenarios in which you are required to cite.
Models how to avoid plagiarizing when presenting a source's ideas in your own words.
Describes the circumstances in which a fact, finding, or idea is well-known enough that you don't need to cite it.
Stay vigilant by avoiding these eleven situations that increase the chances students will plagiarize.
A ten-question quiz that educates students about the whys, whens, and hows of important concepts like citation, fair paraphrase, and common knowledge.