Is it plagiarism if you do not cite the professor?
You recently took a graduate class on leadership, and the professor said some interesting things in her lecture that really got you thinking. You were so intrigued by the lecture that you decide to write a white paper about these issues and post it on your website.

Fair enough, but ideas canot be copyrighted, only the expression of ideas. Now is an oral presentation of ideas "expression" of ideas to the extent that not one can reutter them unless that person gives credit to the speaker (Plagiarism)? It certainly is unseemly to present another's ideas as your own (Ethics). But if that is the case, think of all the lectures PR practiitoners attended in their lifetimes. And all the good ideas they came across. Are they expected to speak in footnotes every minute of their lives? "Honey, don't leave the ice cream on the counter too long because as my PR professor professsor said 15 years ago. 'Left unattended, even firm fidelity can melt into indistinguishable indifference.' " (I just made that up so if you intend to use it give me credit – or not.) Or if I say. "It is what it isn't," rather than "It is what it is" My statement is much more exact – focusing in the negative part of the loss. I told all my students to do that. Must they quote me every time they use it to look precise to others? So you might have two answers here – one about plagiarism and another about being unethical. One can get you fired. The other can get you a "tsk, tsk and don't do it again."

Yes

Answer: Yes, it is plagiarism to represent someone elses ideas as your own. You must acknowledge the source of these ideas in your white paper. Note that while ideas cannot be copyrighted, it is still unethical to use someone elses ideas without giving them credit. How do you fix the plagiarism problem? Take good notes, record the date, and cite the lecture in your paper. Talk with your professor to find other sources you can read and cite. See PRSA Professional Standards Advisory #16 for more information about plagiarism and copyright. Also see Professional Standards Advisory #14 on the Expropriation of the Intellectual Property of Others: https://www.prsa.org/AboutPRSA/Ethics/ProfessionalStandardsAdvisories/