Here's why:
* Plagiarism is about taking someone else's work and presenting it as your own. This can be done by copying directly, paraphrasing closely, or even just rearranging the structure of the original work.
* Paraphrasing is a legitimate way to use someone else's ideas, but it needs to be done correctly. Simply changing a few words or rearranging the sentence structure without acknowledging the original source is still plagiarism.
* You must always cite your sources, whether you quote directly, paraphrase, or summarize someone else's work. This includes indicating the original author, the source, and the specific location of the information within the source.
Think of it like this:
* You can use a friend's recipe for a cake, but you must acknowledge their recipe and not claim it as your own.
* You can borrow a friend's outfit, but you must return it and not claim it as your own.
To avoid plagiarism, follow these guidelines:
* Read and understand the original source thoroughly.
* Put the source away and write your own interpretation of the ideas.
* Compare your work to the original source to ensure that you have not unintentionally copied any phrases or structures.
* Cite the source properly.
Remember, plagiarism can have serious consequences. It's important to understand the ethical and legal implications of using someone else's work without proper attribution.