Patchwork plagiarism equals to combining multiple texts and ideas from different sources. These are included in a single work without citations or credits to the original author. It is also known as mosaic plagiarism where there are minimal changes in the texts. Most of the words and structure remain the same which can be easily detected by AI based content checkers.
However, the good news is that there are ample ways to prevent patchwork plagiarism in case it is taking place unintentionally. This will require simple yet conscious efforts and patience to ensure your work is absolutely free of duplicate texts and passages. Have a look at the best methods to avoid allegations and the consequences.
Use Synonyms
You might have the urge to pick up different phrases and join them together. While this is not entirely wrong, there are certain ways to go about it. Make sure to substitute the words with synonyms instead of simply moving them around. This is an effective means of avoiding plagiarism and can be done since there is an easy access to online thesaurus. However, make sure the word shares the same meaning otherwise the entire essence of sentence is lost.
Plagiarism Checker
Pick software which is powered by AI and machine learning technologies. Further, make sure it is able to check for plagiarism by comparing your work with billions of texts online. The tools should also highlight the percentage of copied content and the problematic portions. This way you are able to make the necessary changes without having to go through the entire paper manually. It is likely to appear genuine and trustworthy before readers.
Original Work
Including original thoughts, expressions and ideas is an effective way to avoid patchwork, self and direct plagiarism. This will require no paraphrasing, quotations and citations. All you have to do is research on the particular subject and topic well. Come up with fresh content which can contribute to a discipline instead of repeating the existing information. You can support with evidences from the internet to ensure a solid paper.
Cite Sources
The right way is to mention the authors, genre and title of the book. You can also add a little information about the author before their name like analyst, economist or physicist. Further, get in touch with your agency or university to know the citation style they prefer. For example, a full reference including maximum data to detect the original source and a brief in-text citation which is placed right beside the relevant information are the two common ones. Consider using the top-notch plagiarism checker to ensure minimum patchwork plagiarism and absolute originality.
Paraphrase
Summarizing is another good way to stir clear of duplicate and identical work. All you have to do is reword the passages, change the voice, alter the sentence structure and make sure the information arrangement is not too similar to the original text. You can use the best paraphrasing tools or simply do it manually according to your deadline or preference.
Plagiarism is considered as unethical and can come with major consequences. You might fail a standard, get fired from work or asked to pay compensations. So, follow the above hacks every time you write a paper and proofread with a plagiarism checker for the best results.