Similarity Percentage Is Only the Starting Point
Many students focus on the overall similarity score in Turnitin or similar tools, but examiners are more concerned with where the similarity occurs and how serious it is. Proofreading high similarity sections after Turnitin report means going beyond the number to examine specific highlighted passages.
Your goal is to ensure that any similarity is either properly quoted and cited or rewritten in your own academic voice.
Identify Which Sections Need Attention
Begin by opening the detailed report and locating clusters of highlighted text with medium to high match percentages. When proofreading high similarity sections after Turnitin report, prioritise paragraphs in the literature review and discussion where long stretches match a single source.
Short matches involving technical terms or standard phrases are often unavoidable, but extended overlaps in sentence structure are a warning sign.
Decide When to Quote, When to Paraphrase, and When to Remove
For each high-similarity passage, ask whether the exact wording is necessary. As part of proofreading high similarity sections after Turnitin report, you may choose to convert some sections into properly formatted quotations, fully rewrite others in your own structure and vocabulary, or remove redundant material altogether.
Always keep or add citations so that the original source is clearly acknowledged.
Rewrite Paraphrases That Follow the Source Too Closely
If your sentence order and phrasing closely mirror the original, even with a few word changes, it may be considered patchwriting. During proofreading high similarity sections after Turnitin report, rewrite these passages by stepping away from the text, summarising the idea in your own words, and then checking that the new version is structurally different.
Use Turnitin again, if possible, to confirm that the similarity has been reduced to an acceptable level.
Document Changes for Your Supervisor or Examiners
Especially if your initial similarity score was high, keep a brief record of how you addressed problematic sections. Proofreading high similarity sections after Turnitin report becomes stronger when you can show that you have systematically reviewed and revised your writing.
This documentation can reassure supervisors and examiners that you take academic integrity seriously.
