Free Online Plagiarism Busters
Detect Cheating with No-Cost Internet Tools
Nov 22, 2008 Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
According to Webster’s Online Dictionary, plagiarism is defined as “A piece of writing that has been copied from someone else and is presented as being your own work. “The act of plagiarizing; taking someone's words or ideas as if they were your own.”
The Internet is an informative and valuable resource. The Internet provides a plethora of world-wide information that is easily accessible with the simple click of a button. Because information is so easily accessible, plagiarism also becomes easier to accomplish. Borrowing, lifting or stealing another person’s work is becoming all too common. Instead of making the effort and taking the time to write a paper for school or for work, copying the information written by another person and passing it off as their own, becomes much easier to accomplish. There are websites, sometimes called essay mills, where users can find essays, term and research papers written by others to use as their own.
While some plagiarism is intentional, other instances may not be. For example, some may be unaware of how to properly credit a source or how to correctly use quotations in a paper. Regardless of the intention, many believe education and prevention of plagiarism is key. Many institutions are cracking down on plagiarism. The consequences can be severe and quick, ranging from a failing paper, failing the class, expulsion from the school, fines or jail.
There are available programs to help detect plagiarism. Some programs are free, some are not. The following websites provide plagiarism detection tools that are free of charge. Using several may ensure a better result.
Plagiarism Tools:
- Doc Cop – This web-based plagiarism detector does not require any additional software. Searches are done online. Doc Cop offers a free service as well as paid services which provide more in-depth information. Registration is required.
- DupliChecker – This online checker is straight-forward and simple to use. Simply paste the text in question into the box and search Google, Yahoo or MSN for copied work.
- Article Checker – This online tool allows users to check for plagiarism using a website address or pasted text.
- CopyScape – This online checker offers several different versions. The free version allows users to check for online plagiarism. Bloggers, writers and webmasters can easily check for copied content on the web. Free banners are also available to help deter plagiarism.
- PlagiarismChecker – This online resource allows users to simply copy and paste text into a search box. Users can also check websites and create a Google alert to notify users if the text is used elsewhere online.
- SeeSources – This online checker, targeted for educators and educational facilities, allows users to paste text or upload HTML, Word or text documents for analysis. No registration is required.
- PlagiarismDetect – Users must register in order to use the service. Once registration is complete, upload the document or paste the text into the box. Two different results are available, light or deep analysis.
- CopyrightSpot – This tool, currently in alpha, allows users to check for copied content online by typing in the website address.
- Plagiarism Resource Site – This website offers a downloadable detector, WCopyFind. This free program compares documents already downloaded or owned on the user's computer; it does not compare documents online. Available for Windows and Linux users.
Online search engines may also be used to check for plagiarism. The websites listed above are just a few of the resources to detect plagiarism.
Source:
Websters Online Dictionary
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