Giving credit for content is different than giving credit for images. Content is created by combining words. It can be difficult to prove that a combination of words is original. Credit is given, to avoid plagiarism, when someone else's ideas or words are used

There are three basic questions to ask to avoid plagiarism.

• Is the sentence structure a unique style of writing?
• Is the content an original idea or a unique expression of information?
• Is the content from a larger context on the same or a related subject?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, the content should be cited.

I want to use ice fishing as an example. As you know, volumes have been written about ice chisels and testing the thickness of ice as both relate to ice fishing. Because I have combined these two common subjects in a unique way, on my website, about the broader subject of power augers, I should receive credit if someone reads my article and repeats my advice.

"The main use for an ice chisel is testing ice. Punching a hole every 3 strides can mean the difference between falling through thin ice and turning around. "

Providing credit too often is better than not providing credit when it should be given.

The next part of this training will look at the the use of footnotes.