Plagiarism is the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one’s own original work. (Wikipedia)

Plagiarism is the bane of any writer. Quite simply, the very act of communication is a process of collating and reassembling previously existing words, sentences, ideas, thoughts, experiences, events (etc.) and collating them into new and (hopefully) unique constellations of information and ideas. Plagiarism is, conversely, effectively stealing someone else’s work and misrepresenting it as your own.

There are always times when we may write something which resembles ideas and words that others have used. Whenever we write something simple such as “hello, how are you?” we can hardly claim to be original but in the context in which the phrase is used we can expect to exercise at least a little creative imagination or authenticity. Similarly, beginning an article with phrases such as:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal...” (source)

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character...” (source)

“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. For he today who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother...” (source)

“There’s a lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold and she’s buying a stairway to heaven...” (source)

- may just land you in hot water over plagiarism. Alluding to other’s works or referencing them directly is fine; even parodying other people’s ideas is acceptable because in the act of satirical misrepresentation you are indirectly acknowledging the other artist or author. Sometimes this can be an in-joke but generally if you want to gain respect for your own ideas and writing, please try to self-consciously assert the instances where you explicitly employ other people’s words, ideas and thoughts.

If you want to write and to be respected as a journalist or as an author of any description - do not steal other people’s ideas. In the age of the internet it is a very simple matter indeed to just copy and paste someone else’s ideas and represent them as your own. Nine times out of ten, no one will notice. It’s a little bit like occasionally drink-driving, though, because that one time that something does go wrong, when you are uncovered as a plagiarist - that is when your reputation is left soaked in blood, ashes and oil by the side of the road.

It’s really not that difficult to come up with some creative thought or an authentic reinterpretation of facts, events or ideas. That’s what human beings excel at. So, please, at least try to be original when you write for Instablogs.