What is the difference between plagiarism and paraphrasing?

What is the difference between plagiarism and paraphrasing?

Plagiarism is using someone else's work without giving credit, while paraphrasing is rewording that work in your own words.

Can you give me an example of paraphrasing?

Sure! If the original text is 'The cat sat on the mat,' a paraphrase could be 'The feline rested on the rug.'

Is it possible to paraphrase too closely?

Yes, if your paraphrase is too similar to the original text, it can still be considered plagiarism. It's important to change both the words and the structure.

How can I avoid plagiarism when writing?

To avoid plagiarism, always cite your sources, use quotation marks for direct quotes, and ensure your paraphrasing is sufficiently different from the original.