Introduction
Are you getting an annoying similarity score every time you submit your work to Turnitin?
Sometimes, it’s because you copied someone’s work, but other times, it seems to come out of nowhere.
If you’re tired of seeing those high similarity percentages, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’re going to discuss how Turnitin checks similarity, what affects the similarity in Turnitin report, and most importantly, how to reduce similarity on Turnitin to 0%.
So, without further delay, let’s get started and make sure your work stands out as original!
What Is Turnitin?
Turnitin is a tool used by teachers and students to check for plagiarism in writing.
When you submit a paper to Turnitin, it compares your work to a huge database of other papers, websites, and articles to see if any parts match.
This helps teachers make sure that students are turning in their own original work and not copying from someone else.
Turnitin also provides feedback on writing, so students can learn and improve their skills.
It’s a helpful way to keep academic work honest and make sure everyone is doing their best, original work.
How Does Turnitin Check Similarity?
Before discussing “How to reduce similarity on Turnitin?” let’s first discuss how does it checks for plagiarism in your writing.
Turnitin compares submitted documents to a massive database of content. This includes:
- Internet content: Websites, articles, and other online sources.
- Academic databases: Journals, books, and other scholarly materials.
- Student papers: Previously submitted papers from various institutions.
The Similarity Check Process:
- Submission: A document is uploaded to Turnitin.
- Comparison: The software breaks down the document into smaller text segments and compares them against its database.
- Matching: If any text segments match existing content, they are flagged as potential similarities.
- Similarity Report: Turnitin generates a report highlighting the matched text and providing information about the source.
How To Reduce Similarity On Turnitin?
Now, let’s reveal all the methods to reduce similarity on Turnitin.
1. Use Double Quotation Marks ("")
Using double quotation marks is the best way to reduce similarity on Turnitin.
Sometimes, you might copy and paste quotes from other sources.
To let Turnitin know these are quotes and not copied content, you need to use double quotation marks around them.
This tells Turnitin that you are using someone else’s exact words correctly.
2. Use Citations Properly
Always give credit to the original author when you use their ideas or words.
This is called citing your sources.
When you use citations properly, Turnitin will see that you are not trying to pass someone else’s work off as your own.
Make sure to follow the right format for citations, like APA or MLA style.
3. Use a Paraphraser
A paraphraser can help you rewrite sentences in your own words.
If you find information that you want to use, try to rewrite it in a way that sounds like you.
This way, Turnitin will see that the work is original and not copied.
4. Write More Original Content
The more you write in your own words, the less similarity there will be.
Try to explain ideas in your own way and add your thoughts and opinions.
This makes your work unique and different from others.
5. Check Your Work Before Submitting
Before you submit your work to Turnitin, use a plagiarism checker to see if there are any parts that look too similar to other sources.
This gives you a chance to fix them before Turnitin checks it.
6. Use Synonyms
Try to use different words that mean the same thing.
This is called using synonyms.
For example, instead of saying “big,” you could say “large.”
This helps to make your writing look more original.
7. Break Up Long Quotes
If you need to use a long quote, try to break it up into smaller parts and explain each part in your own words.
This makes it clearer that you are using the quote to support your ideas and not just copying it.
8. Understand What Turnitin Checks
Know what Turnitin looks for when it checks for similarity.
It compares your work to other student papers, articles, and websites.
By understanding this, you can make sure to write in a way that shows your original thinking and effort.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding how to reduce similarity on Turnitin can help you make sure your work is original and free from plagiarism.
By using double quotation marks, citing your sources properly, using a paraphraser, writing more original content, checking your work before submitting, using synonyms, breaking up long quotes, and knowing what Turnitin checks for, you can lower your similarity score significantly.
Remember, the goal is to show your own thinking and effort in your writing.
So, follow these tips, and you’ll see those annoying similarity scores go down.
FAQs
Q1. How does Turnitin check for similarity?
Turnitin compares your work to a huge database of internet content, academic databases, and student papers. It breaks down your document into smaller segments and matches them with existing content to find similarities.
Q2. Why should I use double quotation marks in my paper?
Using double quotation marks around copied quotes tells Turnitin that these are exact words from another source. This helps to correctly identify them as quotes and not copied content, reducing the similarity score.
Q3. How can I properly cite my sources?
Properly citing your sources means giving credit to the original author for their ideas or words. Use the correct citation format, like APA or MLA, to show that you are not claiming someone else’s work as your own.
Q4. What is a paraphraser and how does it help?
A paraphraser is a tool that helps you rewrite sentences in your own words. By paraphrasing information, you make your work look original, which reduces the similarity score on Turnitin.
Q5. How can I check my work before submitting to Turnitin?
You can use a plagiarism checker to review your work before submitting it to Turnitin. This helps you identify and fix any parts that look too similar to other sources, ensuring your work is original and ready for submission.
