Final answer:
To avoid plagiarism when using outside sources, use quotation marks for direct quotes, paraphrase or summarize in your own words, and include in-text citations with a matching Works Cited entry.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you directly quote from, summarize, or paraphrase an outside source, it is crucial to avoid plagiarism by following ethical attribution practices. If you are quoting, use quotation marks around the exact language of the text. When summarizing or paraphrasing, put the ideas into your own words without changing the intended meaning of the original author. In all cases, you must include in-text citations and ensure there is a corresponding entry on the Works Cited page, adhering to the formatting style such as MLA or APA. Remember to maintain a balance between source material and your original ideas, generally keeping source material to no more than 10% to 20% of your essay content to support your analysis and arguments.