Skip to Main Content
university logo

University Library

Avoiding Plagiarism

Learn More

Defining Plagiarism

Plagiarism comes from the latin word plagiarius, which means abducting or kidnapping. (Hansen, 2003)
“The act of taking the writings of another person and passing them off as one's own. The fraudulence is closely related to forgery and piracy—practices generally in violation of copyright laws.” (Encyclopædia Britannica,2015)

Plagiarism at Cal State LA

"At Cal State L. A., plagiarism is defined as the act of using ideas, words, or work of another person or persons as if they were one's own, without giving proper credit to the original sources." ( Academic Honesty Policy)

John F. Kennedy Memorial Library
California State University, Los Angeles
5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90032-8300
323-343-3988