Is this plagiarism?

I'm writing a Military Science Fiction novel and I'm taking quite a bit of inspiration from the Halo universe. Is it plagiarism to have super-soldiers similar to the Spartan program provided that they aren't identical (i.e. instead of being kidnapped, they were already orphans; instead of being brought up to fight human rebellion, they were made in response to the alien fleet; instead of a Covenant of alien races, they're only fighting one race, etc.) There are quite a few differences (no Cortana, Forerunners or Flood for example) but I'm concerned that the central premise might be too similar and bordering plagiarism. The way that the super-soldiers were made is very similar to the way the Spartans were trained in Fall of Reach but with more emphasis on hormone therapy and other differences.

I'm thinking that at worst, my novel would be a kind of Alternate Universe to Halo but I want to know if anyone thinks I should change more before I get too into the story.

I think if you're close enough that you have to ask, then even if it isn't quite plagiarism, it's certainly going to read as derivative and unoriginal at the very least. I also think that in the long run, keeping your eyes on that line and trying to stay on the right side of it is going to be a lot more effort than running with your own original ideas. Your mind works in unique ways; use that.

It is plagiarism, but if it helps you to write what you like, or helps you to learn writing (painters do it all the time, first they spend many hours copying the old masters' paintngs) then it is a good thing to do. Best of luck.

I have used a line from another poet in a poem of mine two or three times but always make a note acknowledging that the line is not mine.

Example
I hear the wild wind crying shrill down the chimney piece
Run for comfort to the skirts of mother love
I see a caravan of pack horses laden with brandy barrels
Hear the jingle of harness, the call of the Night Riders
‘Watch the wall my darling while the gentlemen pass by’

Please note: ‘Watch the wall my darling while the gentlemen pass by’ is a direct quote from Rudyard Kipling’s A Smugglers Song.

Do this and I don’t think anyone could accuse you of plagiarism.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Carousel

I have used a line from another poet in a poem of mine two or three times but always make a note acknowledging that the line is not mine.

Example
I hear the wild wind crying shrill down the chimney piece
Run for comfort to the skirts of mother love
I see a caravan of pack horses laden with brandy barrels
Hear the jingle of harness, the call of the Night Riders
‘Watch the wall my darling while the gentlemen pass by’

Please note: ‘Watch the wall my darling while the gentlemen pass by’ is a direct quote from Rudyard Kipling’s A Smugglers Song.

Do this and I don’t think anyone could accuse you of plagiarism.

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But he is thinking of using actual plot and structural ideas, not just one line that can be cited.

I think if what you wrote has your own individual spin on it, then it shouldn't matter in theory. Stories are always being retold. But I do think you should try to think up your own ideas rather than relying on someone else's. In the end you will just make a second or third rate version of someone else's genuine creativity when you could have made your own unique creation.

Well if you are talking about plots its hard to think of any that haven’t been done at least in someway shape of form before, making plagiarism almost impossible to prove. To do the perpetrator would just change the characters names but keep everything else more or less identical to the original version. That has been done and the original writer sued for damages but even so plagiarism is difficult to prove in court.
I would think that many authors use techniques that have been used previously by others.
The talking pictures in the Harry Potter books for example are not a unique idea and probably H.K.Rowling was aware that they weren’t but is that plagiarism?

To find someone guilty of plagiarism you have to have very firm evidence of the intention to steal another writer’s work and pass it off as your own.

Carousel, that does makes sense. Ideas are constantly being re-used. Once an idea is out there the writer can't say they own it. I like your poem, especially the 'shrill wind,' and the image of the horses, do you have your poetry online anywhere?

I should make the point that as far as poetry forums go if you make sure you acknowledge anything that is not yours you will be ok.
Sospira I have posted the full poem here today, I hope you enjoy the full poem.

Regards Cari.

My favorite author wrote "a garden of the underworld, basking in eternal gloom" I'd like to write a poem about a dead garden, or a garden of hell, or something like that. I wouldn't use his words of course, but would this be me taking his idea? I know I can make this a beautiful poem, I love imagery. And something about a dead garden is haunting, and calling me. What do you think, am I safe to do it?