Plagiarism

Plagiarism iis something you have to work hard to avoid -- like getting wet when it is raining.  In other words, if you just go about your business as is your habit, you are likely to get wet, just as you are likely to unintentionally plagiarize unless you take safeguards:
1) acknowledge your sources -- bibliography
2) refer to sources as needed
3) use quotation marks for quotes.  If you don't want to put something in your own words, if in doubt, use a direct quote.
4) paraphrase information when taking notes

How to Paraphrase:

• change the words
• change the order of words
• change the structure of the author’s words
• collapse lists
  
  An excellent site on the intricacies of plagiarism and how to avoid it is Plagiarism.org