Is it permitted to to copy an author biography without any paraphrasing?
NOT A TEACHER
(1) May I add some words to the moderator's?
(2) When you get time, look up the word "plagiarism."
(3) Some famous writers here in the United States have gotten into
big trouble because they copied words from other books and did not
give credit to those other authors. Sometimes they paraphrased the
words a little and sometimes they just copied them word for word.
(3) If your teacher wants you to write a biography of someone, I
most respectfully suggest that you read several books about that
person -- not just one book. Then you should write what you learned
in your own words and say where you got the information. To make the
report more interesting, it is fine to copy some words directly from the
books but -- of course -- put them in quotation marks. You should
learn how to use footnotes. This will make your research paper look
very professional. It will impress your teacher, who will surely give
you a good mark.
Respectfully yours,
James