Final answer:
The student's assertion is false. Using direct quotations in a paper is not plagiarism if the words are enclosed in quotation marks and the source is properly credited according to the specified formatting style.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that copying a direct quotation into your paper, placing quotation marks around it, and crediting the source is plagiarism is false. Proper citation of a quotation involves three key elements:
- Using quotation marks around the exact words of the author.
- Crediting the source of the quotation properly in the text and in your works cited or references page.
- Using the formatting style your instructor has assigned, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago.
By following these steps, you avoid plagiarism because you are acknowledging the original author. Plagiarism occurs when someone presents another person's work or ideas as their own without proper attribution. Whether you quote directly or paraphrase, it is important to cite the original source to give credit to the author and avoid plagiarism.