Plagiarism and paraphrasing are critical concepts in academic and professional writing that require careful attention to maintain integrity and originality. Plagiarism involves using someone else’s ideas, words, or research without proper attribution, presenting them as one’s own, which undermines intellectual honesty and can lead to serious consequences, both academically and legally. On the other hand, paraphrasing is the act of rewording or rephrasing someone else’s ideas in one’s own words, while still crediting the original source. Effective paraphrasing requires a deep understanding of the material and the ability to convey the message without merely copying or altering a few words. Proper citation remains essential when paraphrasing, as it acknowledges the original author’s contribution. Both practices highlight the importance of originality in writing, with paraphrasing offering a way to engage with sources thoughtfully, while plagiarism is a violation of academic ethics and intellectual property rights.