Here are what experts have to say about plagiarism...
In our culture, failing to give credit to the sources you've used in your research is considered plagiarism, plain and simple. WIU, like most universities, treats it as a form of academic dishonesty. View the Student Academic Integrity Policy to find out what is considered plagiarism at WIU and to find out about potential consequences.
Diana Hacker, editor of The Bedford Handbook, reminds her readers that "[t]hree different acts are considered plagiarism: (1) failing to cite quotations and borrowed ideas, (2) failing to enclose borrowed language in quotation marks, and (3) failing to put summaries and paraphrases in your own words" (570).
The good news is that plagiarism is easy to avoid if you know the basics of when, where and how to cite your sources. Hopefully, this guide will help.