So I'm doing some writing for a website now, and I was wondering if you could help me with something. I'm mainly using wikipedia right now as far as a source for information on what I'm writing about. For one tidbit I want to use, wiki has this:

"The MVP was selected by **** Schaap, the editor of SPORT magazine. Schaap admitted later that he had been out late the previous night, struggled to watch the defense-dominated game, and was not aware that Fernandez had 17 tackles."

and I have this:

"**** Schapp, who then was the editor for SPORT magazine had been assigned the duty of choosing the MVP, and he admitted after the fact, that he had been out late the night before the game, fought hard to pay attention to the contest, and did not know that Fernandez had picked up 17 tackles throughout the course of the it."

Is this plagarism do you think or not?

I don't think so, your saying the same thing but in your own phrasing which is what really matters. It would be better if you could add new information to it, or different information.

Probably not technically, you "paraphrased" enough that you probably won't get sued. But seriously, if you want to be a writer, might be best to use your own thoughts.

At least make sure you give the original writer the credit.

Nope, you're safe there.

True, though for what it may be worth, what I'm writing right now, has to do with each of the previous Super Bowl games, writing up descriptions of the games and such.

I changed it a little, may do some more changing too.

"**** Schapp, who then was the editor for SPORT magazine had been assigned the duty of choosing the MVP, and he admitted after the fact, that he had been out late the night before the game, fought hard to pay attention to the contest, and did not know that Fernandez had picked up 17 tackles throughout the course of the it. Had he known this, perhaps the MVP choice would indeed went to Manny, but as it stands, controversy or not, Jake Scott will always be known as the Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl VII. "

It's factual information, Adam, not creative writing. If you feel at all uncomfortable, you can always use the old * and cite your resources of information.

Yeah true, I did add some more of my own words in it though. Think I will keep it like this:

**** Schapp, who at the time was the editor of SPORT magazine, and on his way to becoming a legendary figure in the world of sports journalism, had been given the responsibility of choosing a Most Valuable Player for the game, and he admitted after the fact, that he had in effect fumbled the ball as it were. As it turned out, Schapp, had stayed out rather late the night before the game, and he paid for it the following afternoon. He had to fight hard to pay attention to the contest, and as a result did not realize that Fernandez had picked up 17 tackles throughout the course of the it. Had he been paying closer attention and known this fact, perhaps the MVP choice would indeed have gone to Fernandez. But as it stands, controversy or not, Jake Scott will always be known as the Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl VII.

SO LONG AS YOUR REFERENCE YOUR MATERIAL, THAN THE ANSWER IS NO.

agree with all responses, just a thought Kleisto, wikipedia is not really a realiable source to use, go to the actual source.

anyone can post on the wikipedia site while we all hope they post true information, one cannot be sure. just thought you should know.

Understood though these things are documented at the bottom of the page, as to where the info is from.

I agree technically it is different enough but still the source should be cited properly. Also you do realize that Wikipedia is not considered a credible source for information, right? I would suggest before using the data on WIki to verify it's credibility by find the same information in another data source. Also if you find another data source you should be able to better fill in the data to add more of yourself to the writing instead of just regurgitating someone else's statement.

much better I'd say your completely safe here.