You may like
Creating a Turnitin Account
To begin using Turnitin for plagiarism checking, you first need to create an account. Go to the Turnitin website and click on the 'Create Account' option. You will need a class enrollment key, which is usually provided by your instructor or institution. Enter your email address, create a password, and fill in any other required details. Once you submit your information, check your email for a verification link to complete the registration.
Logging into Turnitin
After creating your account, log into Turnitin using your email and password. If you encounter issues logging in, check the password and ensure that your account is activated. Once logged in, you will see options for submitting assignments, checking the status of submissions, and accessing your past reports.
Submitting Your Paper
To submit a paper for plagiarism checking, navigate to the specific class section where your assignment is located. Click the 'Submit' button for the relevant assignment. You will be prompted to upload your paper. Turnitin accepts various file types, including DOC, DOCX, PDF, and TXT. Choose your file and confirm the submission. It’s important to ensure that your document adheres to the file size restrictions outlined by Turnitin.
Understanding the Similarity Report
After submitting your paper, Turnitin will generate a similarity report. This report indicates the percentage of your paper that matches other sources in the Turnitin database. To view the report, return to your assignment page and click on the report icon. Pay attention to the highlighted sections, which indicate potential matches. Use the report to revise and improve your paper before final submission, ensuring all sources are properly cited.
Interpreting the Similarity Index
The similarity index is a percentage that represents how much of your text matches existing sources. A high percentage does not automatically mean plagiarism but indicates areas to review. Typically, a similarity index below 25% is acceptable for most academic papers, though this can vary by institution. Review the matched sources and consider whether citations are necessary or if paraphrasing is required to reduce similarity.
Revising Your Submission
Use the feedback obtained from the similarity report to revise your paper accordingly. Focus on areas highlighted as similar and adjust them to meet academic standards. Ensure that all sources are accurately cited and avoid overly relying on quoted material. After making necessary revisions, you may choose to resubmit your paper for a fresh similarity check.