What Is an Originality Report? (Turnitin and Canvas Explained)
An originality report is a document that shows how much of your paper matches existing sources, and which sources they are. "Originality report" is Turnitin's old name for what it now calls the similarity report, and Canvas still uses the term. Here is what an originality report contains, how to check one, and what "originality reports available" means on your assignment.
Originality report, similarity report: same thing
Turnitin renamed its "Originality Report" to the "Similarity Report" years ago, but the old name stuck. You will still see it in:
- Canvas, where the coloured icon beside your submission opens the "originality report".
- Moodle and Blackboard assignment settings and older guides.
- Turnitin Originality, the product name for the version with AI writing detection.
Whichever name you see, the report answers the same question: how much of this paper matches other text?
What an originality report contains
- The overall score, a percentage of matching text. See what the similarity score means.
- Match groups: Not Cited or Quoted, Missing Quotations, Missing Citation, and Cited and Quoted.
- Top sources, each with a number, colour and percentage.
- Your paper with highlights, colour-coded to the sources.
- Filters: whether the bibliography, quotes and small matches were excluded.
- Integrity flags for hidden text or replaced characters.
A real originality (similarity) report
Both screenshots below come from the same 24-page, 6,364-word paper. The similarity report found 1% overall similarity. The AI writing report flagged 51% of the qualifying text as likely AI-generated. Tap either one to see it full size.
Screenshots shown for illustration. Your own reports arrive as full PDFs in your dashboard.
Originality score vs similarity score
Be careful with the word "originality score". Turnitin reports similarity: a higher number means more matching text. Some other checkers report originality instead, which works the other way round: 90% original is roughly 10% similar. If a report says "originality score", check which way it counts before you panic or relax.
What "originality reports available" means
When an assignment says originality reports are available, or that students can view originality reports, your instructor has allowed you to see the report for your own submission. When you see it depends on the release setting:
| Setting | When you see the report |
|---|---|
| Immediately | As soon as it is generated, usually within minutes |
| After the due date | Once the deadline passes |
| After grading | When grades are released |
| Never | Not at all; only your instructor sees it |
If your assignment says "originality report enabled", see what Turnitin enabled means.
How to check an originality report
- Canvas: Grades, then the coloured icon beside the assignment. Full steps: Canvas originality report.
- Moodle: open the assignment and click the percentage beside your file. See Moodle steps.
- Blackboard: open your submission and select the similarity score. See Blackboard steps.
- Brightspace: see Brightspace steps.
- Before you submit: run a pre-check that returns the originality report and the AI writing report to you directly.
Is an originality report the same as an AI report?
No. The originality (similarity) report checks for matching text. The AI writing report is a separate report that estimates how much of the paper reads as AI-generated, and in most courses only instructors can see it. See the Turnitin AI detection report explained.
Frequently asked questions
What is an originality report?
A report showing how much of your paper matches existing sources and which sources they are. It is Turnitin's old name for the similarity report.
What does originality reports available mean?
Your instructor has allowed students to view the report for their own submission. When you see it depends on the release setting: immediately, after the due date, after grading or never.
Is an originality score the same as a similarity score?
Not always. Turnitin reports similarity, where higher means more matching text. Some other tools report originality, which counts the other way.
How do I check my originality report?
Open your submission in Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard or Brightspace and click the percentage or coloured icon beside your file.