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Plagiarism is like stealing because you are taking somebody's ideas without asking, and without giving them the credit for the information. Plagiarism can occur in many different ways, even without you knowing it, but that doesn't make it any less serious. That's why it's very important for you to educate yourself on the correct ways to give credit to your sources and in the process using their ideas but putting them into your own words, as not to copy them word for word. There's a fine line, and the only way to not cross it, is to always source the website, book, magazine, or file that gives you the information you requested. Never copy and paste, because even if you source, that can get you into trouble, and the consequences of plagiarism do not weigh lightly on students.