Your First Turnitin Submission: What You Need to Know
You've received your assignment. Your professor said, "Submit to Turnitin." Now what?
If you've never used Turnitin before, the process can seem confusing. This guide walks you through every step from account creation to understanding your originality report.
Part 1: Setting Up Your Turnitin Account
Method 1: If Your Instructor Created the Class (Most Common)
Step 1: Go to turnitin.com
Step 2: Click "Student Sign Up" or look for your institution's Turnitin entry point (may be through your learning management system like Canvas, Blackboard, or D2L)
Step 3: If joining an existing class, you'll need a class ID and enrollment password provided by your instructor
Step 4: Create an account with:
- Your email address
- Name (usually your legal name)
- Password (make it strong)
Step 5: Enter the class ID and password to join your instructor's Turnitin class
Method 2: Direct Integration Through Your LMS
Step 1: Log into your course on Canvas, Blackboard, D2L, or other platform
Step 2: Look for the assignment labeled with "Turnitin" or "Originality Check"
Step 3: Click to open the Turnitin submission area
Step 4: This usually creates your Turnitin account automatically—no separate signup needed
Method 3: Individual Student Account
If your instructor didn't set up a class:
Step 1: Go to turnitin.com
Step 2: Click "Student Sign Up"
Step 3: Create your account (no class ID needed)
Step 4: You can search for your class to join, or ask your instructor for the class ID
Part 2: Preparing Your Paper for Submission
File Format Support
Turnitin accepts:
- .doc and .docx (Microsoft Word)
- .txt (plain text)
- .pdf (may reduce formatting)
- .rtf (rich text format)
- .odt (OpenOffice)
Best practice: Use .doc, .docx, or .pdf for best results. Avoid .txt as it loses all formatting.
File Size Limits
Maximum file size: 100 MB (most papers are 1-5 MB, so this isn't usually an issue)
Pre-Submission Checklist
- ☑️ Paper is spell-checked
- ☑️ Formatting is clean (headers, spacing, etc.)
- ☑️ All sources are cited
- ☑️ Bibliography/references list is included
- ☑️ File is saved as .doc, .docx, or .pdf
- ☑️ You have a copy for your records
Part 3: Submitting Your Paper
Step-by-Step Submission
Step 1: Log into Turnitin (turnitin.com or through your LMS)
Step 2: Click your class name
Step 3: Find the assignment and click "Submit Paper"
Step 4: You'll see options:
- "Upload Paper" (most common) - upload from your computer
- "Paste in Text" - paste directly into Turnitin
- "Write New Paper" - write directly in Turnitin
Step 5: Click "Upload Paper"
Step 6: Browse your computer and select your paper file
Step 7: Add paper information:
- Paper title: Your assignment title (required)
- Submission notes: Optional comments for your instructor
- Work citation: Optional - cite your paper if needed
Step 8: Check "Agree to Turnitin's Terms of Service"
Step 9: Click "Submit Paper"
What Happens After Submission
Immediate: You'll see "Submission Received" message
Processing: Turnitin processes your paper (usually 2-5 minutes, sometimes up to 24 hours)
Originality Report: Once processed, you'll see a similarity percentage
Part 4: Viewing Your Originality Report
Accessing Your Report
Step 1: Log into Turnitin
Step 2: Click your class
Step 3: Find your submission (usually listed with your name)
Step 4: Click the submission to open it
Step 5: You'll see:
- Your similarity percentage (top)
- Your paper with color-coded matching text (main section)
- Source list (right panel)
Understanding Report Elements
Similarity Percentage: The percent of your paper matching sources in the database (not plagiarism percentage)
Color Coding: See the article "Understanding Turnitin Reports" for detailed color meanings
Source List: Shows all sources your paper matched, ranked by matching amount
Click on Sources: Click highlighted text to see which source it matched
Part 5: Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Issue 1: "Submission Failed" Error
Causes:
- File too large (>100 MB)
- Unsupported file format
- Internet connection interrupted
- Browser compatibility issue
Solutions:
- Check file size and reduce if needed
- Save file as .docx or .pdf
- Check internet connection
- Try a different browser (Chrome recommended)
- Clear browser cache and try again
Issue 2: "Originality Report Not Generated"
Cause: Turnitin is still processing (can take up to 24 hours, especially during peak times)
Solution: Wait and check back later. Refresh the page periodically.
Issue 3: Can't Find My Class
Causes:
- You entered wrong class ID
- You're on the wrong Turnitin portal (institution-specific vs. turnitin.com)
- Your instructor hasn't created the class yet
Solutions:
- Double-check class ID with instructor
- Ask instructor for direct class link
- Try accessing through your LMS (Canvas, Blackboard) if available
Issue 4: "Submit Button Not Showing"
Causes:
- Submission deadline has passed
- Maximum submissions reached
- You don't have permission
Solutions:
- Check assignment deadline with instructor
- Ask instructor if late submission is possible
- Contact your instructor if you believe there's an error
Issue 5: "File Doesn't Display Properly"
Causes:
- Complex formatting in Word document
- Images/tables not rendering
- PDF conversion issues
Solutions:
- Simplify formatting (remove columns, complex tables)
- Resubmit as .pdf instead of .docx
- Resubmit as .docx instead of .pdf
Part 6: Important Turnitin Privacy & Security Information
What Happens to Your Paper?
When you submit to Turnitin:
- Your paper is stored in Turnitin's database
- It's compared against other student papers in the database
- Your paper becomes part of the database for future comparisons (if enabled by your institution)
Can I Delete My Paper?
Usually not directly. But:
- You can request removal after course ends
- Contact your instructor or institution's Turnitin administrator
- Most institutions have policies allowing deletion upon request
Privacy Concerns
Your instructor sees:
- Your paper
- Your originality report
- Your similarity percentage
Your instructor does NOT see:
- Your password
- Other papers you've submitted to other instructors
- Your account information
Part 7: Resubmission and Revision
Can I Resubmit My Paper?
Usually yes, but depends on your instructor.
Most instructors allow 1-3 submissions before the deadline. After that, resubmissions may not be allowed.
How to Resubmit
Step 1: Click your previous submission
Step 2: Look for "Submit Another Version" or "Resubmit" button
Step 3: Upload your revised paper
Step 4: Add submission notes explaining changes (optional but helpful)
Multiple Submissions Impact
Important: Turnitin shows all submissions. Your instructor can see previous and current versions. Each generates its own originality report.
Part 8: After Submission - What Your Instructor Does
Timeline
Immediately after submission: Your instructor is notified of your submission
Within 24-48 hours: Your instructor typically reviews your originality report
Grading period: Your instructor assigns grades, often writing feedback directly on your paper in Turnitin
Your Instructor's View
Your instructor sees:
- The same originality report you see
- Additional analytics about matching sources
- Ability to add comments to specific parts of your paper
- All previous submissions if you resubmitted
FAQ: Turnitin Submission Questions
Q: Will my paper be public if I submit to Turnitin?
A: No. Your paper is private and visible only to you and your instructor. It's stored in a database for comparison purposes, but not publicly available.
Q: Can I use Turnitin as my research tool?
A: No. Turnitin is for similarity checking, not research. Use Google Scholar, your library database, or other research tools.
Q: What if Turnitin flags my paper but I know it's original?
A: Contact your instructor. They understand Turnitin's limitations and can review your paper personally.
Q: Is there a mobile app for Turnitin?
A: Yes, Turnitin has mobile apps for iOS and Android. You can submit and view reports on your phone, though the full interface works better on a computer.
Conclusion: Turnitin Is a Tool, Not a Threat
Turnitin can seem intimidating the first time you use it. But once you understand the process:
- Creating an account takes 5 minutes
- Submitting is as simple as uploading a file
- Viewing your report is straightforward
- Using it properly protects you from plagiarism accusations
Follow the steps in this guide, and you'll have no problems submitting to Turnitin for any assignment.
Your first submission might feel nervous. Your second will be routine. Your tenth will be muscle memory.