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Academic Writing: How to Write Assignments, Referencing, Plagiarism & Turnitin

Your one stop destination on how to write assignments, how to reference using Harvard style, how to avoid plagiarism, using Turnitin etc.

Academic Integrity

What is Academic Writing?

"Academic writing is a formal style of writing used in universities and scholarly publications. You’ll encounter it in journal articles and books on academic topics, and you’ll be expected to write your essays, research papers, and dissertation in academic style".

The following links will assist you on how to write your assignments. Don't forget to watch the video, it will also assist you.

The Differences Between Paraphrasing, Summarising and Quoting

"Paraphrasing is when you put a passage from the original source material into your own words. As with a quotation, you must do an in-text citation attributing the information back to the original source at the end of the paraphrased section. Summarising is when the main ideas are put into your own words"

 

What is In-Text Referencing?

"In-text references or citations are used to acknowledge the work or ideas of others. They are placed next to the text that you have paraphrased or quoted, enabling the reader to differentiate between your writing and other people's work. The full details of your in-text references must be included in a reference list"

 

The following links will help you with your grammar, punctuation, spelling etc. The services are free, all you need to do is to create your own account.

 

VUT has compiled the following guide to help students on how to reference using Harvard method.

 

Chapter 9 - (page 134 - 153) "Referencing and  Refencing Techniques" will also assist you on how to reference your assignments.

Available at VUT Libraries

The links and the videos below will assist you on everything you ever wanted to know about plagiarism. Keep in mind that VUT policy on accepted percentage of plagiarism is determined by departments. 

The links and the videos below will assist you on everything you ever wanted to know about Turnitin. Please keep in mind that VUT policy on accepted percentage of plagiarism is determined by departments.

 

 

What is Plagiarism?

How to write an Assignment in Seven easy steps!

How to Avoid Plagiarism

How to Interpret the Turnitin Originality Report - Guidance for Students

Consequences of Plagiarism

Understanding Turnitin Report: A Student Guide