Transcript
SPEAKER:
Welcome to this short guide on how to use your Turnitin Similarity Report to improve your academic writing. When you open your report, you will see several key areas on your screen. At the top, you will find your overall similarity percentage. But don't worry, we will explain in a moment why that number doesn't tell the full story.
On the right hand side, you will see colour-coded matches that show where Turnitin has found text in your work that closely resembles other sources. You can click these matches to view the original sources and understand where the similarity comes from.
Now, let's start with the big myth, the overall percentage. It's easy to focus on this number, but it doesn't measure plagiarism, quality, or integrity. A high percentage doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong, and a low percentage doesn't automatically mean your work is perfect. What matters is where those matches occur and why. Think of the percentage as a summary of all the text Turnitin has found elsewhere. Your task is to interpret that information.
Let's explore how to use your report effectively. Look carefully at the highlighted sections within your work. You are looking for patterns, for example, large blocks of matching text that might suggest you have copied too closely from a source, or paragraphs where a few words have been changed, but the sentence structure is still the same.
These are signs of patchwriting-- when text has been altered slightly rather than properly paraphrased. If you notice these patterns, use them as learning opportunities. Ask yourself, have I fully understood and re-expressed the original idea? Have I included proper citations and quotation marks where needed. Could I rephrase this section in my own words to show deeper understanding? Turnitin helps you see where these issues might occur, so you can improve before submitting your final version.
Take action by paying particular attention to each of the highest matches, and have a look at your script to see if you have, one, included indication that you are using a direct quotation word for word, or you are paraphrasing writing in your own words from a source. An indication might be quotation marks or indented text. Two, you have included a correct citation that leads the reader to a reference. Three, included a reference at the end that matches the citation. Remember, Turnitin is not a test for plagiarism. It is a formative tool designed to help you strengthen your academic writing.
Always use your Turnitin draft submission link if it is available. Review your report carefully, make improvements, and resubmit where possible. The more you engage with your report, the more confident you'll become in paraphrasing, referencing, and expressing your ideas with academic integrity. Turnitin isn't there to catch you out. It's there to help you do better.