Submitting an assignment without knowing your Turnitin similarity score can be a nerve-wracking experience. Knowing your score beforehand allows you to make necessary revisions and avoid potential academic penalties. This guide will walk you through the process of checking your Turnitin score before you hit that submit button.
Understanding Turnitin and Similarity Scores
Turnitin is a plagiarism detection software widely used by educational institutions. It compares your submitted work against a massive database of academic papers, websites, and publications. The resulting similarity score represents the percentage of your work that matches existing sources. A high similarity score doesn't automatically mean plagiarism, but it indicates areas that need further review. Understanding this is crucial before we delve into how to check your score.
What constitutes a high similarity score?
There's no universally accepted threshold for a "high" similarity score. Different institutions and instructors may have varying expectations. However, a score above 20-25% often warrants a closer look. This doesn't necessarily mean your work is plagiarized, but it flags sections that might require proper citation or paraphrasing.
Checking Your Turnitin Score: A Step-by-Step Guide
The exact method for checking your Turnitin score before submission varies depending on the specific platform your institution uses. However, the general principles remain the same. Most platforms offer a "preview" or "submission preview" option. Let's explore a common approach:
1. Access the Turnitin Submission Portal
Log in to your learning management system (LMS) – this could be Moodle, Blackboard, Canvas, or a similar platform. Locate the assignment for which you want to check your Turnitin score.
2. Locate the "Submit" or "Preview" Option
Before officially submitting, most platforms offer a preview option. Look for buttons or links labeled "Submit," "Preview Submission," or similar terms. Clicking this will usually initiate the Turnitin process without finalizing the submission.
3. Review the Similarity Report
Once the Turnitin process is complete (this might take a few minutes), you'll be presented with a similarity report. This report shows:
- Overall Similarity Percentage: This is the main number you'll be looking at – the percentage of your work that matches existing sources.
- Color-Coded Highlighted Sections: The report typically highlights sections of your paper that match sources in the database. The color intensity usually reflects the degree of similarity.
- Source Details: For each highlighted section, Turnitin provides links to the matching sources. This allows you to verify the sources and ensure proper citation.
4. Analyze and Revise (If Necessary)
Carefully review the highlighted sections and the suggested sources. If the similarity score is high, determine whether the matches are due to:
- Properly cited sources: If you've correctly cited your sources, don't worry; this is expected.
- Uncited sources: This requires immediate attention. You'll need to properly cite these sources or paraphrase them to avoid plagiarism.
- Common phrases or terms: Turnitin may flag common phrases or terms, which usually don't constitute plagiarism. However, an excessive amount of these could still indicate a need for stronger original writing.
5. Resubmit (Only If Necessary)
After making necessary revisions, you can resubmit your work through the same platform. Many systems allow for multiple submissions before the final deadline, giving you time to improve your score.
Avoiding a High Turnitin Score
Prevention is better than cure! Here are some proactive steps to minimize the chances of a high similarity score:
- Proper Citation: Always cite your sources correctly using a consistent citation style (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.).
- Paraphrasing and Summarizing: Learn how to effectively paraphrase and summarize information from sources, expressing ideas in your own words.
- Original Thought and Analysis: Focus on presenting your own unique insights and analysis.
- Proofreading and Editing: Thorough proofreading helps identify potential areas of unintentional plagiarism.
By following these steps, you can effectively check your Turnitin score before submitting your assignments and submit your work with confidence. Remember to always prioritize academic integrity.
