To avoid plagiarizing:
Paraphrase: put the ideas from the text COMPLETELY into your own words. Even when paraphrasing you must still use in-text citations as well as including it in the works cited section.
Use quotation marks around text that has been taken directly from the original source.
Cite every source of information you use in your paper unless it is common knowledge (i.e. the sky is blue) or the results of your own research.
The Excelsior Online Writing Lab, hosted by Excelsior College, can help you with each step of your writing assignments. Below is the website's navigation tab listing every aspect covered.
A citation...
You must cite a source that you are using if you paraphrase or summarize any of the ideas given in the work AND if you use a direct quote from the resource (word-for-word). Citations are not just for word-for-word quotations; they must be used when you mention any ideas or information from a source.
The Purdue Owl Online Writing Lab has extensive information to assist with writing papers.
