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Written by: Mirjam de Winter
Last updated on: January 21, 2026
Plagiarism is not only a problem for students who literally copy pieces from sources and paste them into their thesis. Much more often, it happens that someone plagiarizes unconsciously. For example, you find it difficult to paraphrase well and therefore take (too much) text from the source. Or you forget to put the reference and pretend that you have thought of this theory yourself. You will also notice that during graduation you read many different sources and at some point you lose sight of it. In this article we give you 6 effective tips to prevent plagiarism. We also discuss the different types of plagiarism and the steps you should take if you accidentally plagiarized. By following these simple tips, you ensure that your piece is free of plagiarism and that you can graduate!
Plagiarism is the act of taking the words or ideas of another person and presenting them as your own. It is important to note that copying a few words without citation (or reference) is also considered plagiarism. There are many different types of plagiarism, including:
Ask for a second opinion Has the teacher indicated that there is plagiarism and is this unjustified? Ask for a second opinion from us!
Each educational institution has established rules for plagiarism control. Generally, this is heavily punished and you will receive a failing grade, often putting your diploma at risk. If you do not cite sources correctly, you can also be accused of academic dishonesty. But even if you are not caught, not correctly referencing your sources will lower your grade.
How can you recognize and avoid plagiarism? The best way to prevent plagiarism is to be aware of the different types of plagiarism and how to avoid them. Always be aware of the information and sources you use when writing your thesis (or other document), how you use that information, and where you got the information from. Always ensure that you correctly cite all sources so that readers know where the information comes from.
1. Recognize plagiarism. Always make sure that every paragraph, every sentence is your own work. Put the information into your own words (paraphrase).
2. Highlight pieces of text that come from the original source literally, so that you do not forget to rewrite these pieces.
3. Always save your sources immediately (and don’t postpone it!) During graduation you will read and process many sources, which causes many students to lose sight. It will take you a lot of time to find the sources again, so create a good overview right away. To manage your sources, you can use EndNote for example.
4. Ensure a correct and complete reference (the APA style is most commonly used)
5. When you want to copy a piece of text literally from the source, make sure to have a correct citation. If you are not sure how to cite a source correctly, ask for help from a fellow student or contact a specialist from Topscriptie.
6. Use a plagiarism checker to make sure that your piece does not contain plagiarism and to rewrite certain parts. A plagiarism scanner checks which parts are still ‘plagiarism’.
The use of ChatGPT or other artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate text can result in plagiarism. AI tools are not a substitute for your own research, critical thinking, and writing skills. Submitting text generated by AI as if it were entirely your own work, without proper acknowledgment, may be considered plagiarism.
Many teachers and educational institutions do not allow the use of AI for assignments or theses, or only permit it under strict conditions. When AI use is not explicitly allowed, it may be regarded as academic misconduct or fraud. If the use of AI is permitted, you must be transparent about how the tool was used and provide clear references or explanations, for example in the methodology or acknowledgements section.
Be aware that using AI to paraphrase or rewrite existing texts can also be problematic, especially if the content is not sufficiently adapted or is not clearly based on your own sources, analysis, and understanding.
If you are unsure whether using ChatGPT or another AI system is allowed for your assignment or thesis, always consult your teacher, thesis supervisor, or academic advisor. This helps you avoid unintentional plagiarism and potential academic consequences.
Are you struggling with paraphrasing, academic writing, or structuring your thesis? Do you have doubts about specific passages? We are happy to support you in a way that aligns with academic integrity and your institution’s guidelines.
Contact us for a free Clarity Call and we will gladly tell you more about how we can help you with your graduation.
Let us help you with your studies. Discover what we can do for you.
Call or WhatsApp a thesis supervisor
+31614592593
Call or WhatsApp a thesis supervisor
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