To plagiarize means to "take ideas or writings from another and **offer them
as one's own**.

This is an important distinction.  Using another person's words without
attributing authorship is not plagiary (esp.  when it is done in the context
of:   here's a list of quotes from various people (no names given) on a
particular  subject).

I am familiar with this issue from helping teenagers with their research and
English papers.  It is also plagiary if you use someone's idea without
attribution *even* if you paraphrase, i.e., put the author's thoughts into
your own language and style.  My kids hate it when I tell them that.

I don't mean to imply that it is OK for someone to use your words in the way
it has been discussed here.  I just wanted to make the point that  we've been
using the term "plagiarize" incorrectly.

There is a good description of plagiarism in "Writing Clear Paragraphs" by
Rob't. Donald, et al.,  Prentice-Hall,  1987, pp 302-3.

Mary Cummins, M.Ed., IBCLC
private practice in Scottsdale, AZ