Top 7 Tips to Identifying Unoriginal Content

PLAGIARISM AND WAFFLE: CHEATING THE READER

Don't skim to break even. LEAD.

You'd be kidding yourself if you believed the Internet is teeming with honest, altruistic content by genuine Expert Authors.

We've all seen it and we all know there is a grotesque problem with the quality of information on the Internet. As access to this incredible source of knowledge and engagement increased over the years, so did those small pesky disturbances that are hazardous to quality.

What are we referring to? The complete disregard to quality and originality by proponents of "get rich quick" schemes and peddlers of mediocrity.

When it comes to originality, take a stance and draw a line in the sand. Heed these Top 7 Tips to Identifying Unoriginal Content.

#7. Excessive Quotes

More than 5 lines of quoted material for an article between 400 and 1,000 words will hinder your ability to provide your own unique insight. It also may tell the reader that the author or speaker you're quoting is the better expert, thus lowering your credibility.

Tip: Be the source. Only quote when it reinforces your insight and limit it to 3-5 lines.

#6. Generic

Generic information is repeating common knowledge that every specialist in your niche has provided time and time again without tips or commentary based on your experience as well as personal or professional insight.

Tip: Write based on your passions and expertise! Find the perfect niche for you with these tips.

#5. Fluff

Just shy of 400 words? Repeating parts of your article, repetitively summarizing main points, adding a floating quote, etc., is unoriginal "fluff."

Tip: Reach the minimum word count by planning your article ahead of time using these Top 10 Article Templates.

#4. Rehashed Content

Otherwise known as derivative content, rehashed content occurs when an author uses similar tips across multiple articles. Readers who browse article portfolios of this form of unoriginal content are turned off by the author's lack of versatility and poor credibility.

Tip: If you sound like a broken record, it's time to brainstorm. Try these 10 original article angles.

#3. PLR and the Public Domain

Even if you're granted the permission to republish another author's work under your own name, if you don't own the exclusive rights to the content (e.g., PLR articles, Public Domain content, etc.) it is unoriginal content.

Tip: If you hire a ghostwriter or purchase content, ensure you have an exclusive license that only allows your name to be associated with the articles produced for you.

#2. Article Spinning

Spinning software "spins" content by replacing an article's original words with synonyms. Alternately, there is the "manual" version where content writers may "rewrite" content by tweaking a sentence here and there. Even if it's your content, spinning is "word vomit" and it's not original.

Tip: If you're running out of article ideas, don't resort to article spinning. Try these 15-minute brainstorming exercises.

#1. Plagiarism

"Borrowing" content (even if it's just a sentence or two) without crediting the source and passing it off as your own is not original. It's infringement, piracy, and theft.

Tip: Give credit where credit is due by properly citing your sources. Like this one: This article is by

Penny, Managing Editor

http://Blog.EzineArticles.com/

I know - there's a lot of tough love here. We love our Expert Authors and will do our best in protecting their rights to publish alongside only the best Expert Authors on a quality platform. Take the quality pledge with us by only writing and publishing original content. As we say in the Editorial Guidelines, "don't skim to break even. LEAD."