What About Quoting Someone in a Discussion?
By Alice Henry
@IreneVincent (15962)
United States
December 1, 2015 9:29am CST
I love reading "quotable quotes" and I find them in many different sources of reading material. If we give credit to the person who said it, can we quote someone for the sake of discussion?
For example: Can we quote from the Bible? OR can we not post facts about things that we know or have verified? I'm not sure about these things anymore, because some persons said on Bubblews that quoting Bible scriptures was plagiarism. I'm a published writer. I thought I knew what plagiarism is, but maybe I don't.
You can read in magazines where someone has quoted someone else and that is NOT considered to be plagiarized as long as the "quote" is put in quotation marks.
When I write something for this site, I want it to be from my own experience or from what I've LEARNED from reading and studying about different places and people. There are many interesting "quotes" from people from long ago or currently that are very profound and can stir up a "discussion" of various interesting thoughts. I enjoy such discussions but I'm second guessing now what is acceptable on here.
I will have to keep in mind that I have to be very careful about anything that I write on this site from now on.
Yes, I'm still pondering this plagiarism issue and wondering if I will have to closely edit anything that I choose to write about, to make sure that I follow all the rules, IF I knew exactly what the rules are.
I will let this rest in my mind, when I feel more comfortable about it. But, in the meantime, I hope I can write about other things and move on to enjoying this site as much as I enjoyed Bubblews.
I read a lot and research many different subjects. As I said in a previous post, almost anything that a person might say or write about can be found on a search engine, so how does a person know if something has been said before and published in some form?
It's all very confusing to me and who are the "watchdogs" that are LOOKING for plagiarists just so they can report them? I'm sorry but I'm not like that. I really don't care what other people write as long as it's not vulgar or otherwise demeaning to someone else. Just saying!
4 people like this
7 responses
@GoAskAlice (5833)
•
1 Dec 15
Let me see if I can clear this up a bit for you. You may use quotes, provided that: 1. You provide a source for it. and 2.That it is not the entirety of your discussion. As long as those 2 things are kept in mind, you should be just fine. 
6 people like this
@marijuana (570)
• Tel Aviv, Israel
1 Dec 15
I was wondering either. I just sign up here today and I cannot find where are the rules or FAQS. perhaps i need to explore more..
4 people like this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
1 Dec 15
I went through all these questions too when I first signed up on Mylot. Next to your picture you will see "help" Go there and you will find the answers to most of your questions. Welcome!
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
3 Dec 15
This would depend on how the quote was presented. If you simply added a section of biblical text it would not be appropriate because you have not written it. However, if you quote a biblical passage as part of the discussion to demonstrate what you were discussing then it should be acceptable.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
10 Dec 15
@IreneVincent In such a situation quoting the passage is the logical thing to do and clearly acceptable.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
10 Dec 15
@Asylum That's what I thought. When I write that the Bible says something, I then like to quote the scripture or at least tell where it can be found in the Bible. I would rather quote it because I feel that most people won't take the time to look it up and read it for themselves.
1 person likes this
@Bluedoll (16773)
• Canada
1 Dec 15
I got this far into your post because some persons said on Bubblews that quoting Bible scriptures was plagiarism. and stopped. Will come back and read more.
Reason? 
Why? It is not anything you wrote here.
But it made me laugh and at the same time confirmed just how very nutty it was over there? Oh really!
The bible is plagiarism.
On a more serious note do you think they meant they didn't want people posting just quotes without any content at all? That might make sense I guess.
Why? It is not anything you wrote here.
But it made me laugh and at the same time confirmed just how very nutty it was over there? Oh really!
The bible is plagiarism.
On a more serious note do you think they meant they didn't want people posting just quotes without any content at all? That might make sense I guess.
Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
2 people like this
@Bluedoll (16773)
• Canada
1 Dec 15
@IreneVincent I see you as a well researched writer and don't think you will have any trouble posting as well as in your book writing because you balance out what you quote with your own work.
I think in book writing they say about even 10% is a standard or does that mean 10% of the piece you are quoting from. I forget which.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
10 Dec 15
@Bluedoll Yes, I enjoy quoting someone and then giving my ideas on what I personally get out of the quote. Many things that have been said over the years are very profound and can cause us to think deeply about what was said and how we can benefit from the information. And we CAN benefit from WISE information.
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
1 Dec 15
Yes, I thought it was funny also. I enjoy quoting a scripture from the Bible and then making a comment about it. How did you do that Verse of the Day? That really caught my eye. Very nice. Oh, I think I see. It's website. I'll have to check that out.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (83635)
• United States
10 Dec 15
I see that @goaskalice has already answered your question and made it clear for all of us
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
10 Dec 15
Yes, I was glad to get clarification on quoting, because I DO like to find interesting quotes and elaborate on what they say. There is a lot of wisdom in well thought out words from which we can benefit.
@destry (2572)
• Kirkwall, Scotland
1 Dec 15
Quotes are fine, providing you cite the source of the quote and write some commentary about it. You can't just put a simple quote with out turning it into a discussion.
"Spot had a ball" by Anon will get reported and deleted straight away . . . but, ""Spot had a ball" by Anon is my fav quote because . . . . what do you think." You can do.
It is all about adding value to make a discussion.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
1 Dec 15
Destry, are you a part of the Admin on here or where are you getting your information so as to be able to explain absolutely what is "fine" or OK to do? Just wondering?
@destry (2572)
• Kirkwall, Scotland
1 Dec 15
@IreneVincent I am very far from the admin. However, I have seen lots of posts and use judgement. I have read comments left by the admin and other experienced members.
You seem to be seeking for advice, the community will give you their advice - it may or may not be 100% accurate because the guidelines are guidelines and not hard and fast rules.
This site is all about discussions, and as everyone has an opinion - people do discuss!
2 people like this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
1 Dec 15
@destry I'm not seeking advice really. I want to know what is and what isn't acceptable and I want someone "IN CHARGE" to explain it to me. I appreciate advice from other members, don't get me wrong, and I understand the difference between "hard and fast rules" and "guidelines" but getting reported for plagiarism for trivia questions just didn't make me very happy. I'm sure you get that.
@anamika5776 (250)
• New Delhi, India
10 Dec 15
Poetry, she thought, wasn't written to be analyzed; it was meant to inspire without reason, to touch without understanding.
