What is the definition of direct plagiarism?

Direct plagiarism is defined as copying or using someone else's work without citation. This form of plagiarism occurs when an individual takes another person's ideas, words, or creations and presents them as their own, without giving appropriate credit to the original source. The key element that defines direct plagiarism is the absence of citation, which is crucial in academic and professional contexts to acknowledge the contributions of others and uphold the integrity of one's own work.

In contrast, using someone else's work with citation is properly attributing the original source, thereby avoiding plagiarism. Similarly, reusing your own work without acknowledgment, often referred to as self-plagiarism, involves presenting previously submitted work as new without permission or disclosure. Accidentally citing someone else's work typically does not constitute plagiarism, as it does not involve an intentional act of intellectual theft. Thus, the definition of direct plagiarism hinges on the failure to give proper credit while utilizing someone else's creative output.