If you are writing a research paper and decide to verbally interview a professional regarding the topic on which you are writing, and incorporate that source's ideas or remarks into your paper without citation, this is an example of plagiarism. Whether you are paraphrasing an interview in your paper or using word-for-word that source's spoken statements, you must always give credit to that source inside the context of your paper by inserting quotes around that borrowed statement and placing the name of the source in parentheses at the end of the quote.
Some students who write papers will borrow information from outside resources, such as books or periodicals, and simply paraphrase or change the author's wording around and insert those ideas into their paper without citing the source. Even if you are paraphrasing information from a publication in your own words, it is still required that you cite that source of information. For instance, you can write in your paper, "According to..." and follow through with the information you wish to use, or place the information word-for-word in quotes, as long as you cite the source at the end of the quoted statement. This is not considered plagiarism, as you are giving credit where credit is deserved.
Whenever you cite a source inside your paper, you must include a works cited page, which provides a bibliography of every source you have used. These are most commonly used for research papers. If you have included a works cited page in your paper of all sources used, but still neglected to cite those sources inside the context of your paper where necessary, this is still considered plagiarism. You must include both in-text citations and a works cited page. Some citation formats, such as the MLA style, require that you either place the citation at the end of a quoted statement, or at the end of every paraphrased paragraph in your paper.
There are serious penalties if a student is caught plagiarizing. In most colleges, these penalties include flunking an assignment, automatic failure of a class or even suspension from school. Individuals can also be fired from jobs for committing such acts.