You can avoid unintentional plagiarism by having a clear understanding of your subject. When you are just beginning to learn about a conversation, you might find it difficult not only to express your own ideas clearly but also to restate or reframe the information, ideas, and arguments you’ve encountered in your sources. The result might be a document composed of passages that have been copied without attribution or paraphrased too closely. To prevent these difficulties, conduct a knowledge inventory by answering three questions:

Your answers can serve as a starting point for brainstorming, collecting and working with sources, and planning. They can also serve as a guide for discussing the subject with others. Once you’ve completed your knowledge inventory, meet with your instructor, consult a librarian, or talk with people who are knowledgeable about the subject. Ideally, these discussions will help you determine the most productive way to learn more about your subject.