I have found at the net a wonderful page about plagiarism.
You can find information about:
- Plagiarism defined , in easy-to-understand terms
- Tips on how to avoid both internet-based and conventional plagiarism
- Guidelines for proper citation, and links to help with specific citation styles
- Suggestions for developing good research and writing skills
- Answers to frequently asked questions, including explanations for often misunderstood concepts like fair use, public domain, and copyright laws
- Definitions for important research-related terms
- Suggestions for integrating plagiarism education into lesson plans
- Tips for creating assignments that discourage plagiarism and encourage original thinking
- Information on the causes of plagiarism today
- Help with identifying different types of plagiarism, in particular plagiarism from the internet
- Printable handouts for students on plagiarism, proper citation, and paper writing
I advise you reading the fourth point which talks about different suggestions for developing good research and writing skills.
- Personal opinion
Well, in the first place, it is dishonest. For instance, by allowing the reader of your paper to assume that any undocumented ideas or phrases are your own, you deny the rightful authors or originators credit for their work. This is a form of cheating. Not only are you cheating the author and the University, but you are also cheating yourself. Successful completion of courses and/or of a degree program indicates that you have had specific experiences and have acquired certain knowledge and capabilities. If you have not had the full experience, for example, of going through all of the steps involved in researching and writing a term paper, you have shortchanged yourself and perhaps received credit for what you did not do. Penalties for plagiarism at UNA may range from a failing grade for a specific assignment to a failing grade in the course to suspension from the University (in repeat cases). Plagiarism may ultimately damage not only your own reputation, but that of the University as well—a reputation that is based in part upon the abilities and performance of its graduates.
