Plagiarism is taking what someone else has written and using those thoughts without permission. It can also be the taking of what someone else has written and representing that material as your own.
It's stealing.
We've always had to deal with the issue of plagiarism here at Active Rain because it is so easy to do given the technology that is available to us.
But don't do it.
Please don't plagiarize.
I'm begging you.
And here's why:
1)You have a lot to say. We want to hear your thoughts and your observations. Your unique voice adds to this community and that's what makes it awesome! It's how we get to know each other in the Rain.
2)Copying someone else's words and pretending they are your own is an ethics violation. Will it cost you your license? Probably not. But it could cost you your reputation and your income if clients find out you are plagiarizing on the Internet. Trust is huge in our business. Don't break that trust by making the dumb mistake of plagiarizing others work.
3)Plagiarizing is not tolerated at Active Rain. We, the community, watch out for each other on this issue because our profession is already damaged enough. See #2.
4)Writing your own words will make you better at writing your own words. Blogging is a craft. And the more you write your unique blogs, the better you will become not only at writing, but also at talking with clients, interacting with others and defending your point of view.
If you've been guilty of plagiarizing others work, just go clean up your old blogs and then rewrite them in your words referencing the original work - i.e. - including links to that work.
We look forward to some amazing blogs from the AR community as we blog into the future of our ever changing industry!
Blog on!
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