Coursework is a generalized term for the required participation of students during a high school or college class. It involves written papers wherein students are obliged to meet the specific requirements of the major field of study, or it may be of an elective nature, providing enrichment for the general diploma or degree program.

In coursework written assignments, a student is expected to synthesize from the materials available and to credit the sources of ideas, facts, or opinions that are not one’s own – or else it will lead to one of the most common dilemma in creating a coursework, which is plagiarism.

Plagiarism results not only from neglecting to cite sources, but also from simple things like forgetting to use quotation marks, paraphrasing closely to the original, and misplacing references. Nevertheless, fear of committing plagiarism makes students panic to the extreme extent, therefore, results to committing mistakes as well.