We've all been there: It's 8 p.m. on a school night, and you've just remembered you have a giant research essay due the next morning. You weigh your options before deciding to pull an all-nighter to get the assignment done. You're rolling along on coffee and adrenaline when suddenly you realize it's 3 a.m., and you are beyond exhausted – in fact, you cannot type another word. In a moment of desperation, you consult Google for some more information about your topic and quickly paraphrase what you've read, neglecting to cite your sources along the way appropriately.

The next morning, you hand in your paper, confident that you've done a good enough job to earn a passing grade. However, a couple of weeks later, you receive some bad news from your professor: Your essay, they claim, has been plagiarized, and you are in some seriously hot water because of it – in fact, you could be kicked out of your class or your university altogether. Perhaps you didn't realize extensive paraphrasing was such a big deal or maybe you just made a mistake, but you shouldn't be punished unfairly because of it. Let's take a look at what plagiarism is – and what you can do if you're accused of academic dishonesty.

How to Know When You've Plagiarized

When it comes to academic misconduct, plagiarism is among the most common offenses. In general, plagiarism can be explained as copying someone else's words or ideas without giving them credit, though this definition isn't always so clear-cut. Repeating facts that are common knowledge cannot necessarily be considered plagiarism – for instance, a discussion about the reasons the dinosaurs became extinct would not require a citation because most people already know about it. Then there's accidental plagiarism, when a student copies or paraphrases all or part of someone else's work without knowing a citation is necessary.

So what's the difference between plagiarism and paraphrasing? Well, plagiarism typically involves copying someone else's words directly, while paraphrasing requires rephrasing an idea or concept entirely in your own words. Some examples of this type of plagiarism include failing to indicate which ideas you have adapted from someone else's work or not including a citation for anything you have paraphrased. If you have been accused of academic misconduct, it is easy to wander into dicey territory when trying to argue your case, especially when plagiarism is involved. That's why you need an experienced student attorney-advisor to help you with your defense.

What To Do If You've Been Accused of Plagiarism

Teachers and administrators who make their living communicating words and ideas take plagiarism very seriously, and your university likely punishes students accused of this type of academic misconduct severely. Consequences may include receiving a failing grade on your assignment, being removed from your class, or being suspended or expelled from your university. Having a plagiarism charge on your record can also make it difficult to enter another university in the future, which can seriously impact your future.

At the Lento Law Firm, we believe your side of the story needs to be told. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his expert team specialize in student defense and have successfully represented hundreds of clients in similar situations across the country, allowing them to overcome the challenges they face and continue on the road to their promising futures. Call 888.535.3686 or contact us online today to start preparing your defense.