Using Turnitin to Improve Assignments: A Complete Student Guide

Turnitin is widely known among university students as a plagiarism detection tool, but in reality, it does much more than simply flag copied content. When used correctly, Turnitin can help students improve assignment quality, enhance academic writing skills, and submit more original, well-structured work. Many Australian university students struggle with Turnitin reports because they misunderstand what the tool is actually rewarding.

At My Assignment Services, we regularly guide students on how to use Turnitin reports effectively to improve academic performance rather than fear similarity scores.

This guide explains what Turnitin is, why it matters, and how a Turnitin check helps you improve your assignments step by step. If you are looking to submit plagiarism-free, high-quality academic work, this article will help you use Turnitin in the right way.

What Is Turnitin?

Turnitin is an online plagiarism detection and academic integrity tool used by universities, colleges, and institutions worldwide. It compares submitted assignments against:

• Billions of web pages
• Academic journals and publications
• Student paper databases

Turnitin generates a similarity report that highlights matched content and provides a similarity percentage. However, this percentage alone does not determine whether your assignment is good or bad. What truly matters is how you interpret and improve your work based on the report.

What Is Turnitin Actually Rewarding You For?

Many students believe Turnitin rewards low similarity scores only. This is a common myth. Turnitin actually supports and rewards:

1. Original Thinking

Turnitin encourages students to present their own analysis, interpretation, and arguments instead of copying textbook definitions.

2. Proper Referencing and Citations

Assignments with correct in-text citations and reference lists are not penalised, even if sources match database content.

3. Paraphrasing Skills

Turnitin identifies poor paraphrasing. When students rewrite ideas in their own academic language, it improves writing quality.

4. Academic Writing Structure

Clear introductions, logical flow, and well-supported arguments help reduce unnecessary similarity and improve readability.

Why Turnitin Matters for University Students

Turnitin plays a critical role in academic assessment. Understanding its importance can help students avoid serious academic consequences.

Key Reasons Turnitin Is Important:

• Prevents plagiarism and academic misconduct
• Helps students learn ethical academic writing
• Improves research and citation practices
• Supports better grades through refined content

In Australia, many universities follow strict academic integrity policies. Even unintentional plagiarism can lead to penalties, making Turnitin checks essential before submission.

How to Use Turnitin Reports to Improve Your Assignment Quality

Step 1: Identify Plagiarism and Similarity Issues

The Turnitin similarity report highlights matched text using different colours. This helps students identify:

• Overused quotations
• Poor paraphrasing
• Missing citations

By reviewing these sections, students can revise their work to make it more original.

Step 2: Improve Paraphrasing and Writing Style

Turnitin exposes weak paraphrasing. Revising highlighted sections encourages students to:

• Use their own academic vocabulary
• Change sentence structure
• Demonstrate subject understanding

This step significantly enhances assignment quality and clarity.

Step 3: Strengthen Citations and Referencing

Many similarity issues arise due to incorrect referencing. Turnitin helps students fix:

• Missing in-text citations
• Incorrect reference formats (APA, Harvard, MLA)
• Incomplete reference lists

Correct citations improve both originality and academic credibility.

Step 4: Enhance Argument Development

When students focus less on copying and more on explaining concepts in their own words, arguments become stronger. Turnitin indirectly improves:

• Critical thinking
• Analytical depth
• Logical flow of ideas

Step 5: Reduce Risk of Academic Penalties

By revising assignments using Turnitin reports, students reduce the risk of:

• Assignment rejection
• Grade deductions
• Academic misconduct notices

Common Mistakes Students Make with Turnitin

1. Chasing a 0% Similarity Score

A 0% similarity score is unrealistic and unnecessary. Properly cited sources will always show some similarity.

2. Relying on Free Online Plagiarism Tools

Free tools are inaccurate and do not match university-level databases.

3. Ignoring Turnitin Feedback

Many students submit assignments without reviewing similarity reports carefully.

4. Poor Paraphrasing

Simply changing a few words does not count as paraphrasing and is easily detected.

How My Assignment Services Use Turnitin Ethically

Reputable academic support providers like My Assignment Services use Turnitin as a quality-check tool, not to manipulate results. Ethical use includes:

• Ensuring originality
• Improving structure and language
• Correct referencing
• Delivering plagiarism-free drafts

Professional guidance helps students understand Turnitin rather than fear it.

Tips to Score Better with Turnitin

• Start assignments early to avoid last-minute copying
• Use multiple academic sources
• Paraphrase after fully understanding the concept
• Maintain consistent referencing style
• Review Turnitin reports carefully before submission

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Turnitin checking plagiarism only?

No. Turnitin checks similarity and helps evaluate originality, writing quality, and citation accuracy.

Can Turnitin detect paraphrasing?

Yes. Poor or mechanical paraphrasing can still be flagged.

How should students interpret a Turnitin similarity report?

Students should review highlighted matches and source links instead of focusing only on the similarity percentage, as properly cited content can also increase similarity.

What is an acceptable Turnitin similarity percentage?

There is no fixed acceptable percentage, but most universities consider 10%–25% acceptable, depending on academic guidelines and assignment type.

What should I do if my Turnitin similarity score is too high?

If the similarity score is high, students should rewrite matched sections, improve paraphrasing, add correct in-text citations, and ensure proper referencing.

Can Turnitin detect AI-generated content?

Yes, Turnitin offers AI-writing detection features that can identify patterns commonly found in AI-generated content, helping institutions assess originality and authorship.

Does a low Turnitin score guarantee plagiarism-free content?

No. A low similarity score does not guarantee plagiarism-free work. Academic integrity also depends on proper citations, original analysis, and adherence to university guidelines.

Final Thoughts

Turnitin is not your enemy, it is a learning tool designed to improve academic writing standards. When used correctly, a Turnitin check helps you submit well-researched, properly referenced, and high-quality assignments with confidence.

If you are struggling to understand Turnitin reports or need help improving assignment quality, expert guidance from My Assignment Services can make the process easier and stress-free.