Sections 6.31-6.80 of the MLA Handbook cover quoting and paraphrasing. Copies are available at both Quad Cities and East Campus. 

Here are some tips to prevent plagiarism:

1. Have a clear idea, that is all your own, before you start. Make sure that the sources you use support your idea.
2. Include the author, title, and page number in your notes and bibliography. Make it easy to see where you found the information.
3. Use an in-text citation every time you quote, paraphrase, or reference someone else's work. 

Expert Advice
When including a direct quote from a source:

• Put it in quotation marks
• Include an in-text citation
• List the source in the bibliography

When paraphrasing a source:

• Put the idea in your own words
• Include an in-text citation
• List the source in your bibliography

Citations are needed for all formats of information:

• Words
• Images
• Diagrams
• Graphs
• Charts

BHC Policy

The BHC policy on Academic Dishonesty states that it is your responsibility to know the policy. The policy is included at the bottom of this page. Consequences for breaking the policy are determined by your instructor.

Consequences for plagiarism can include:

• Getting an F (or 0%) on the project
• Failing the entire course
• Being reported to the Student Disciplinary Committee

BHC Academic Dishonesty Policy (Student Handbook p.28Links to an external site.)

Academic dishonesty is any attempt by a student 1) to submit work completed by another person without proper citation or 2) to give improper aid to another student in the completion of an assignment, including, but not limited to:

1. Cheating, which includes, but is not limited to:
   • Use of any unauthorized assistance, resources, or materials in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations;
   • Dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; or
   • The acquisition, without permission, of a test or other academic material belonging to Black Hawk College, to any department, or to any staff;
2. Plagiarism, which includes, but is not limited to:
   • Use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment;
   • Unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person;
   • Use of any agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials;
3. Lying or materially misrepresenting information to college personnel, including a member of the Police Department.
4. Forgery, alteration or misuse of any college document, record, form, or instrument of identification;
5. Alteration or sabotage of another student’s work, such as tampering with laboratory experiments;
6. Tampering with the election of any college-recognized student organization or student trustee election.

You can find more information about plagiarism at https://www.checkforplagiarism.net/plagiarism-law (Links to an external site.).