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Is It Plagiarism to Copy a Single Line of Poetry?

Posted by Team Poetrysoup on 8/1/2025 6:56:28 AM

Simply put, plagiarism is copying someone else's work without giving them credit. Did you know that it is plagiarism even if you copy a single line of poetry or a writing if you do not credit the original author. However, there are some nuances to this. First, the line of poetry, for instance, has to be unique. For example, there are many cliches or overused trite expressions that have been used in writing poetry. These do not have to be cited. Still, it is best to avoid cliches so that your work is original. Additionally, determining who was the first to write a particular line of poetry can be problematic. 

So, if you copy a line of poetry, it's not just a matter of avoiding plagiarism, but also a sign of respect and accountability to acknowledge the original source. 


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