Plagiarism is the copying of someone else's words or ideas without providing credit, or including a citation. It is both ethically wrong and a violation of the CSU Student Handbook. Plagiarism can be intentional (like buying an essay and turning it in as your own) or unintentional (failing to properly cite, paraphrase, or incorporate someone else's writing or ideas into your own). 

Since much of writing and research involves discussing other people's ideas and words, learning to properly cite, paraphrase, and incorporate others' ideas into your own writing is a very important skill (and will make you a better writer + communicator). 

Here are two workshops you can take on avoiding plagiarism.