Plagiarism occurs when you present someone else's words or ideas as your own. It can be intentional or unintentional. Here is an example of plagiarism:
Original text
"The best way to learn about a new culture is to immerse yourself in it. This means living in the country for an extended period of time, learning the language, and interacting with the local people. By doing this, you will gain a deeper understanding of the culture and its values."
Plagiarized text
"The most effective way to learn about a foreign culture is to immerse oneself in it. This entails residing in the country for a substantial duration, acquiring proficiency in the local dialect, and engaging with the indigenous population. By adhering to this approach, one can attain a more profound comprehension of the culture and its underlying principles."
In the plagiarized text, the author has copied the ideas and phrases from the original text without giving credit to the original author. This is plagiarism.
To avoid plagiarism, always be sure to cite your sources when you use someone else's words or ideas. You can do this by including a footnote, endnote, or in-text citation.