Understanding incremental plagiarism

You have been working on a paper for days and weeks. You carefully choose your topic, find all the sources, research valuable data, and combine it into a cohesive, beautiful text. You are proud of the work you have done and are ready to submit it. But wait. What is that? A plagiarism checker shows that you are not 100% original. How is that even possible? 

Well, the good thing is that you were lucky to learn it by yourself and not via the school office. Even better, you are here, ready to learn what incremental plagiarism is firsthand. Indeed, incremental plagiarism is among the most common forms of unintentional intellectual theft in academic papers. Students tend to ‘borrow’ bits and pieces of ideas and arguments from various sources. Such borrowing seems too small to cite until you see your plagiarism results on the screen. Yet, it weakens the foundation of your paper, undermining your research and writing. 

This guide will explain how to avoid incremental plagiarism and why it occurs, and it will offer tips on how to always deliver original work. 

Incremental plagiarism: fundamentals

What is incremental plagiarism?

Most students know that there are different types of plagiarism. But what is incremental plagiarism? To remember it better, think of salami slicing. Indeed, this is the common incremental plagiarism definition used in academia to describe mosaic plagiarism. The term speaks for itself — it is a process of incorporating someone else’s (or even your previous works) into a new paper without proper citation. This can include copying sentences, phrases, data, or ideas. 

Such copying may seem innocent at first. However, when completed on a larger scale, the paper’s integrity will start to crumble, resulting in plagiarism. Incremental plagiarism shows the difference between using sources for inspiration, citing them for higher credibility, or borrowing from others without giving them credit. 

Ideally, students must demonstrate their ability to apply critical thinking and skills in synthesizing data in their research independently. Instructors want to see evidence of your thought process, analysis of the material, and unique perspective. When you rely on uncited content, you're essentially presenting someone else's ideas as your own. It hinders your ability to learn and weakens the overall quality of your work. 

How it differs from other plagiarism types

Incremental plagiarism has a reputation for being more sneaky than other kinds. After all, this type of plagiarism often occurs without conscious choice. As a student, you must be mindful of your writing and citing patterns to spot any presence of this type of borrowing. 

For example, incremental plagiarism is easy to spot because it involves constantly changing styles and wording. Sudden shifts in styles or sounds in random parts of the text are a big red flag. Such patterns tell that you have been inserting someone else’s work (thoughts, direct lines, or ideas) into your text. 

Another way to differentiate incremental plagiarism from others is to see missed citations. There may be sentences you borrowed from others but haven't properly cited or acknowledged their origin in other ways. In both instances, simple paraphrasing can reduce your plagiarism risks. 

Different forms of incremental plagiarism

Incremental plagiarism, while often unintentional, can have serious consequences. Unlike its more obvious cousin, verbatim plagiarism, it operates under the guise of legitimate writing. Here, we delve into the various forms this sneaky offender can take.

Paraphrasing without correct citation

Incremental plagiarism occurs when you don’t paraphrase and analyze pieces of borrowed text inserted in your own paper. This mistake is the most common among inexperienced students new to analyzing and synthesizing large quantities of text. They rush to insert as much text as possible on their pages, prioritizing wise words, data, and arguments of other scholars. Unfortunately, adding those elements to your text without personal analysis and interpretation leads to poorly concealed borrowing. 

Paraphrasing is a valuable skill in academic writing, allowing you to express another author's ideas in your own words. However, the line between effective paraphrasing and plagiarism is very thin. Paraphrasing too closely to the original text means immediate plagiarism.

Don’t focus on wording only. Using synonyms or changing word placements doesn’t transform the nature of the sentences. Instead, focus on the main idea of the piece and explain its essence in your own words. Such efforts show your understanding of the material and ability to analyze and apply critical thinking. Remember, even a paraphrased idea needs a citation to acknowledge its source.

Reusing previously submitted assignments

When pondering “What is incremental plagiarism?” students rarely focus on self-plagiarism. Yet, it is also a common form of incremental plagiarism. Such ‘borrowing’ often goes under the radar in students’ plagiarism checks since they don’t expect it to be detected. Indeed, it might seem like a harmless shortcut, but it undermines the originality of both pieces. 

Self-plagiarism occurs when you add elements of your previous work to a new paper without proper disclosure. Sure, both works still belong to you, and you only borrow from yourself. Unfortunately, this type of assignment recycling is mainly frowned upon in academia. Think of it this way — if you're submitting the same work twice, you're not demonstrating new learning or critical thinking in the second assignment.  

Consider checking with your instructor before resubmitting previously used work statements or elements. In some cases, with proper citation and explanation, it might be acceptable to build upon a previous assignment for a new one. However, there is a fine line between referencing your previous assignments and overusing the works you used without significant revision. 

Utilizing copied data without attribution

Data, statistics, and other factual information are often essential to academic work. However, just because information appears factual doesn't mean it's exempt from proper citation. Some students overlook the necessity of citing well-known information that has clearly come from another source. 

For instance, a student may insert the population's number without citing where they gather such a fact. Yet, to avoid incremental plagiarism, you should always cite any data from another source, whether images, graphs, pie charts, or otherwise. 

No data magically becomes your own simply because you've included them in your writing. Always credit the data source, whether it is an image, numbers, or something else. Learn how to cite a press release, webpages, videos, etc. Such citation allows readers to verify the information, enhance your credibility, and enhance their understanding of the context.

Here are some additional mistakes that fall under the incremental plagiarism definition:

• Failing to use quotation marks: Any direct quotation phrase from another source requires proper citation using quotation marks and a reference to the original work.
• Copying someone else's structure or organization: Directly copying the organization of another source without proper credit can be considered plagiarism.
• Insufficient attribution in paraphrasing: Paraphrasing requires more than simply changing a few words. By rephrasing the ideas and citing the source, you ensure a genuine understanding of the original source.

Tips on how to avoid incremental plagiarism

As we have already answered the question “What is incremental plagiarism?” it is time to analyze ways to avoid it in your work. After all, being the most concealed form of ‘borrowing,’ mosaic plagiarism requires greater attention and awareness. Here are three strategies on how to avoid incremental plagiarism.

Mastering the art of paraphrasing and citation

The act of incremental plagiarism is often the result of poor paraphrasing. So, to avoid such a mistake, you should start by learning to analyze and paraphrase sentences and thoughts to sound natural in your writing style. 

Overall, paraphrasing is a valuable skill that allows you to integrate ideas from your research into your writing while expressing them in your own words. Thus, the key to avoiding incremental plagiarism is to master the art of effective paraphrasing and proper citation.

Here's how to avoid incremental plagiarism:

• Deepen your understanding: Before paraphrasing, ensure you understand the meaning and the core message of the message. You should be able to explain the purpose behind it without hesitation.
• Rephrase, don't substitute: Don't simply swap out a few words. Don’t keep the same sentence or paragraph structure. Express the concept in your own voice by reshaping the structure to make it a natural fit to your text.
• Maintain the original meaning: Avoid misrepresenting the author's ideas by altering the core message during paraphrase. Losing the essence of the original message may not be a plagiarism offense, but it doesn’t reflect your understanding of the source well. 
• Always cite your sources: Paraphrasing doesn’t mean borrowing. The idea behind the message still belongs to the original source, which you must give credit to. So, add a citation to acknowledge the source of the information.

Example:

Original source: "A balanced diet is essential for maintaining optimal physical and mental health."

Effective paraphrase: "To ensure well-being, a diet rich in various nutrients is crucial." (Citation included)

By following these steps, you can seamlessly integrate research into your work while properly crediting the original source.

Avoid self-plagiarism

Recycling previously generated content might seem tempting. Yet, it hinders your academic progress and devalues both pieces of work. Try to avoid it altogether by submitting fresh and original research and discussion. However, when self-referencing is too attractive, approach it wisely. Here are some strategies to ensure responsible reusability:

• Prioritize originality: Strive to demonstrate new learning and critical thinking skills in each assignment. 
• Seek permission: Always consult your instructor if you plan to build upon a previous work for a new assignment.
• Revise the material: Simply adding a few sentences or changing the title doesn't suffice. Substantially revise and expand upon the original work with new research and analysis.

Remember, strong academic writing is a testament to your ongoing intellectual development. By generating fresh content for each assignment, you showcase your ability to learn and build upon existing knowledge.

Preventing patchwork plagiarism

Patchwork plagiarism involves piecing together large chunks of text from various sources with minimal original content. Essentially, it creates a text that lacks a cohesive, unique voice or flow. You borrow so much that your voice becomes suppressed by other scholars. It doesn’t give you much academic credit and affects the text’s readability. 

Remember that this can also be found in verbal discussions or debates. So, to avoid incremental plagiarism in your speech, you should always cite other sources.

Here is how to avoid incremental plagiarism:

• Develop strong research skills: Learn to locate reliable sources and critically evaluate their information.
• Integrate, don't copy: When incorporating research, analyze and synthesize the information with your understanding.
• Maintain a consistent voice: Your writing should have a distinct flow that reflects your own analysis and perspective.
• Use your own words: While citing sources is crucial, strive to express the information in your own words whenever possible.

Conclusion

In conclusion, incremental plagiarism, while seemingly minor, can undermine the integrity of your academic work. It's a form of intellectual dishonesty that weakens your arguments and devalues your own critical thinking. 

However, the good news is that you can readily avoid this pitfall with a proactive approach. Embrace the tools and strategies discussed here, and learn to create strong, original work that reflects your own capabilities. Yet, if you have issues with your writing, do not hesitate to seek assistance from a reliable paper writing service. Professional writers can provide valuable editing support, ensuring your work is not only free from plagiarism but also of high quality and tailored to meet academic standards. Engaging such services can be a practical step in your academic journey, especially when aiming to enhance the clarity, coherence, and overall quality of your scholarly contributions.