Chapter seven is all about being original. It is important to always use your own words and cite sources when you are using somebody else's work. It is cheating yourself if you use somebody else's work as your own. This chapter also mentions that it could completely be unintentional plagiarism. To avoid any sort of plagiarism, the chapter suggests that you do not slack off when it comes to taking notes and citing sources. Also, when paraphrasing, do not just change one word or use synonyms; completely rewrite the section in your own words to avoid any and all sorts of plagiarism. The chapter also notes how serious every case of plagiarism is and how much it can affect a writers essay.
There is a difference between plagiarism and facts. Or otherwise called, "common knowledge". Although there is a fine line, it is still important to know the difference between the two. A fact can not be plagiarised, because it is indeed, a fact. And everyone knows it. For example, the book uses the fact that the Declaration was signed in 1776. If you were to use that as evidence in your essay, it would not be considered plagiarism because it's not like anybody made it up or did a study, or has an opinion on when it was signed.
The section also mentions to create a source called a "Knowledge Inventory". Here you can understand a fact more clearly and in your own way. It is sort of like a drawing board for all of your ideas and comments about a source, quote, or anything else you use as evidence.
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