* Plagiarism is about using someone else's work without attribution. It's not just about copying word-for-word. Even if you rephrase, paraphrase, or summarize, you still need to acknowledge the original source.
* Changing wording doesn't change the core idea. If you are using someone else's research, analysis, or unique argument, even if you reword it, you are still relying on their work.
* It can be difficult to tell if someone is truly paraphrasing. Even subtle changes can be flagged as plagiarism, especially by plagiarism detection software.
Here's an example:
Original: "The rise of social media has led to a decline in face-to-face interaction."
Plagiarism: "Social media has made it so people don't interact with each other in person as much anymore."
Proper Paraphrase with Citation: "According to [Author's name], the increased use of social media has resulted in a decrease in face-to-face communication. [Citation]."
Key takeaway: Always cite your sources, even when paraphrasing. If you are unsure, it's always best to err on the side of caution and attribute the source.