Contradictions of American Academic Writing

The Contradictions of American Academic Writing

Show you have done your research	---But---	Write something new and original
Appeal to experts and authorities	---But---	Improve upon, or disagree with experts and authorities
Improve your English by mimicking what you hear and read	---But---	Use your own words, your own voice
Give credit where credit is due	---But---	Make your own significant contribution

Since teachers and administrators may not distinguish between deliberate and accidental plagiarism, the heart of avoiding plagiarism is to make sure you give credit where it is due. This may be credit for something somebody said, wrote, emailed, drew, or implied.