Final answer:
The definition of plagiarism provided in the question is correct. Plagiarism includes copying and using another person's words or ideas as if they are one's own, failing to attribute sources properly, and is viewed as a serious ethical and intellectual property violation. The correct answer is option (a) True.
Step-by-step explanation:
Plagiarism is defined as copying and using someone else's ideas or words and presenting them as your own. This statement is true. At its core, plagiarism involves taking credit for another person's intellectual property without proper attribution. This unethical practice can take many forms, such as submitting an essay wholly or partially written by someone else, copying text directly without quotation marks or appropriate citations, or even reusing one's own previously submitted work without permission (self-plagiarism).
It is important for students to understand the difference between direct quotations and paraphrasing. Direct quotations involve repeating someone else's words verbatim and requiring quotation marks, while paraphrasing involves restating the original ideas in one's own words. In both cases, formatted citations are necessary to credit the original author. Plagiarism can occur intentionally but also unintentionally, often due to carelessness or misunderstanding of proper citation practices.
Intellectual property laws protect creators from plagiarism. However, respecting these laws goes beyond mere legal obligation; it is about maintaining academic integrity and honoring the hard work of original creators. Therefore, whether the work one wants to use is copyrighted or not, if it is not original, it must be properly cited. The correct answer to the student's question is option (a) True.