You asked:

I’m working on a paper and cribbed a few lines from a book I was using as a reference. Does that count as plagiarism?

The short answer is yes. Anything you didn't compose from your head is plagiarism if you don't cite it. It's fine and often necessary to use the text created by others to support your own ideas or research. It will not be possible to finish college without using someone else's thoughts for a paper -- just be sure to use quotations and citations. Rephrasing someone else's idea is shaky ground. If it isn't your original idea, either give credit when you paraphrase, or quote exactly and source it. Pick up an MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers or The APA Pocket Handbook: Rules for Format and Documentation, which will be a huge help in showing you the proper way to cite sources. Many professors have a citation format they prefer, while others will accept any format you know how to use correctly. When in doubt, cite it. Many professors give lectures on plagiarism and how to avoid it, so if you have a question about a particular source and whether you can use it, just ask. It's always better to over-cite than to, well, leave it as an oversight -- especially now, when many schools have online drop boxes for comparing papers and primary sources to determine if you, um, “borrowed” from someone else.

Name: Liz Cruger
School: College of William and Mary
Year: Senior
Major: Psychology and English lit
Her deal: This is Liz’s second year as an R.A. for freshmen. She is also involved in several campus activities, including pep band and the belly dance club.

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