Lack of Confidence

Another reason some students resort to plagiarism is a lack of confidence in their own writing and analytical skills. They're reluctant to contribute their own thoughts because they think that their thoughts aren't interesting or intelligent enough to put into their assignments. Remember, your instructors have asked you for your opinion or analysis. They want to know what you think. 4

One way to get your own ideas into your work is to free write as you research. Interact with the ideas and facts presented. Write down the thoughts and opinions that come to you, just like you do when you underline things and jot notes in the margins of your textbooks. If you get into this habit, you will be surprised at the quality and quantity of your own original ideas.