Understand Plagiarism and Give Credit to AI
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What you will learn
- 1Define plagiarism and explain why it is dishonest
- 2Distinguish between original work, plagiarism, and AI-assisted work with credit
- 3Name the parts of a correct citation for an AI tool
Mini Lesson
When we use someone else's ideas or words without giving them credit, that is called plagiarism. Plagiarism is dishonest because it presents another person's work as your own. Today, AI tools like ChatGPT can write text — so we must also give credit when AI helps us with our work.
What Is Plagiarism?
- Plagiarism means copying someone else's writing, ideas, or work and claiming it is your own.
- It applies to books, websites, articles, and now AI-generated text.
- Plagiarism is considered cheating in learning and is dishonest in professional work.
- Even changing a few words without citing the source is still a form of plagiarism.
Original Work
- Original work is created by you using your own ideas and words.
- It is always the most honest and valued type of work.
- You may still do research and be inspired by others as long as you cite your sources.
AI-Assisted Work with Credit
- Using AI to help draft, edit, or generate ideas is acceptable if you are open and honest about it.
- You must acknowledge which AI tool helped you and what it contributed.
- You should also add your own thinking, edits, and personal voice to AI-generated content.
- AI assistance with proper credit is honest; AI assistance without credit is plagiarism.
How to Cite an AI Tool
- Name the AI tool (e.g. ChatGPT by OpenAI).
- Briefly explain what the AI helped you do (e.g. "helped me draft an introduction").
- Include the date you used it.
- Add a note that you reviewed and edited the AI's output.
Words to know
plagiarism
Copying someone else's work and presenting it as your own without giving credit.
citation
A note that tells the reader where a piece of information or content came from.
original work
Work that is created entirely by you using your own ideas and words.
credit
Acknowledging the person or tool that helped create or inspired your work.
integrity
Being honest and having strong moral principles, especially about your own work.
acknowledge
To recognize or admit that something or someone contributed to your work.
Tip: If AI wrote a sentence for you and you did not say so, that is plagiarism — even if you changed a few words.
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