Plagiarism — even unintentional — can result in failed assignments, academic probation, or expulsion. Understanding what counts as plagiarism is the first step to avoiding it.
What Counts as Plagiarism?
- Copying text from a source without quotation marks or citation
- Paraphrasing someone's idea without giving credit
- Submitting someone else's work as your own
- Self-plagiarism: resubmitting your own previous work for a new assignment
- Using AI-generated content without disclosure (where required by your university)
How to Paraphrase Correctly
Paraphrasing is not just changing a few words. To paraphrase properly: read the original, close the source, write the idea in your own words, then compare with the original to make sure the wording is different. Always add a citation even when paraphrasing.
Tools to Check Before You Submit
Turnitin is the most widely used plagiarism checker in Indian universities. It compares your paper against billions of web pages, academic papers, and previously submitted student work. DrillBit is another popular tool used by many Indian institutions. Running your paper through both before submission gives you the best protection.
What If Your Similarity Score Is High?
A high similarity score does not always mean plagiarism. Properly cited quotes, common phrases, and reference lists can inflate the score. However, if your similarity is above 15-20%, review the flagged sections carefully. Rewrite passages in your own words and ensure every borrowed idea has a proper citation.
If you need help reducing plagiarism or AI-detected content in your paper, professional services like plagiarism removal can bring your similarity score below safe limits.