Writing Resources

Formatting and Citation Styles

Modern Language Association (MLA) Formatting and Citation

American Psychological Association (APA) Formatting and Citation

Chicago Manual of Style

Writing Handouts

The Basics of Academic Writing

Creative Writing

English Second Language and English Language Learners

Plagiarism and How to Avoid It

Plagiarism is copying words or language created by someone else and presenting it as your own. Most students understand it as copying a paper written by someone else, or asking or paying someone else to write their paper, but it also includes accidentally or deliberately copying strings of words from the sources you are citing without putting them in quotation marks. Plagiarism is considered a form of academic dishonesty and can result in a fine, an F for the assignment, failing the course or even expulsion.

Upper Iowa University “is an environment that encourages inquiry and discovery – where ideas are researched and shared freely. The important issue at hand in these activities is the proper distinctions, definitions and practices surrounding their access and distribution. It is the responsibility and duty of every student, instructor and researcher to fully credit the sources and results of this research. When ideas are valued as the ‘currency’ of academic activities, there are no small infractions on these responsibilities. Plagiarism is the copying, borrowing or uncredited use of intellectual content without the acknowledgment of its author.”

Grammar and Punctuation