Is it plagiarism to copy a large section of text, as long as I put it in quotation marks and say where it's from

No, it is not considered plagiarism if you properly quote and cite a large section of text from a source. Plagiarism is when you use someone else's work or ideas without giving them proper credit, essentially presenting it as your own.

Here are the steps to properly quote and cite a large section of text:

1. Introduce the quote: Before you insert the large section of text, you should introduce it in your own words. This could be as simple as saying, "According to [Author's Name] in [Source]..."

2. Use quotation marks: You should put the entire section of text that you are quoting in quotation marks. This clearly shows which words are yours and which words are from the source.

3. Include a citation: After the quote, you should include a citation. The format of this citation will depend on the citation style you are using (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.). At a minimum, it should include the author's name and the source of the information.

4. Include a reference: In addition to the citation, you should also include a full reference at the end of your work. This gives all the details of the source so that anyone who reads your work can find the original source of the information.

Remember, even when you quote and cite correctly, you should still use direct quotes sparingly. The majority of your work should be your own original thoughts and words.