PLAGIARISM
Footnotes, references, and citations are extremely important components of
academic work. Quotations must always be footnoted or endnoted. A paraphrase
of something, or even a heavy reliance on someone else, should be noted.
Students should not be afraid that there is some negative connotation attached to a noted paragraph--the critical fact is how you utilize the information, argument, etc.
In other words, your own argument and exposition are most critical.
You should avoid any attempt to pretend that you do not draw heavily on the thinking, wisdom, and knowledge of others.
Another and related function of references and footnotes is to refer the reader to more elaborated discussions, primary sources of data, and other information which would be useful to the reader in pursuing the subject further and in evaluating your thesis.
In this sense, your notes are important extensions of your thesis.
They also provide the absolutely necessary means for others to evaluate the adequacy of your description, and of your analysis and conclusions.
Normally, quotations should be used sparingly.
You should avoid the trap of making your paper into a string of quotations, properly cited or not.
The problem with this technique is that, as with all data, such quotations seldom speak for themselves.
You should remember to explain, in your own words what is being said and why its important and relevant.
PLAGIARISM