Crazy Or Genius?: TurnItIn.com - Setting A Few Things Straight

TurnItIn.com - Setting A Few Things Straight

Sean — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 00:44:00 +0200

Over the last 2 days, my previous TurnItIn.com entry has gotten two comments that are somewhat worrisome. One asks for more details on one of the methods listed (I am assuming he is talking about one of Mike’s). The other is more blatant:


i need, help..?
how do i make a paper turned into turnitin.com 
come out to 0 plagiarized

Taking a quick look over my log files, I also turned up the following items in my Search Terms summary list (followed by the position this blog comes up in Google): “Please note that I do not endorse plagiarism or cheating in any way, shape, or form” turnitin (56) turnitin.com + tricks around it (1) trick turnitin.com (2) how to beat turnitin.com (6) beating turnitin.com (1) ways around turnitin.com (1)

Update: I forgot about domain specific search, and apparently some of the turnitin queries are for Dal specific domain searches. You can quickly see what happens here.

Please note that I do not endorse plagiarism or cheating in any way, shape, or form. Cheating and plagiarism is a serious offence. Any articles concerning TurnItIn.com are exploratory exercises regarding its effectiveness. I do not advocate the practical usage of any ways in which to defeat the system. In the case of the previous article, the intent was to point out deficiencies in the TurnItIn.com system, which do NOT catch plagiarism, thus failing any professor that uses it as an indicator of potential plagiarism.

"TurnItIn.com - Setting A Few Things Straight" by helen

Sun, 10 Dec 2006 09:29:33 +0100

Yeah I came here with the search term ‘beat turnitin’. The thing is I do write original essays, but you know, when you’ve read around 20 articles then you start writing, your words just flow straight out of your head onto the screen. There has been times in the past where I typed something in an essay, thinking it was original, then later when I was putting together my bibliography I realised it’s actually the exact same sentence that appeared in one of my sources. Sometimes your brain just remembers whole phrases or sentences without you knowing. I don’t want my lecturer thinking I’m cheating on purpose, so I want to see how my essay will come out on turnitin.

"TurnItIn.com - Setting A Few Things Straight" by Sean

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 23:43:14 +0200

Hey Dan

Funny you should mention that. Mike Smit mentioned it on his site recently (and was heavily referenced in it), as well as someone else I know, Marc Comeau.

"TurnItIn.com - Setting A Few Things Straight" by Dan

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 10:02:37 +0200

I just came across an absolutely eye-opening article with tons of proof. I had no idea how much Turnitin violates students’ rights.

Secrets about Turnitin.com

"TurnItIn.com - Setting A Few Things Straight" by demexii

Thu, 25 May 2006 19:04:07 +0200

I found your site the same way those people did. I was looking for how to defeat Turnitin’s program. Not because I want to plagiarize but because I wanted to know how it worked and how it didn’t work. I agree with Mike Smit that I don’t like the fact they save my essays in their database, but that is because I actually do use my own original content.

As well, I found your website and then went to Mike’s so I am guessing it is how you worded your posting that you are getting so many hits like those since Mike has the same content but I didn’t see his on the Google page.

"TurnItIn.com - Setting A Few Things Straight" by Sean

Sun, 02 Apr 2006 15:06:26 +0200

Shane: While it can (and does) catch plagiarism, it does not catch it all. TurnItIn.com can be tricked into thinking plagiarised work is not plagiarised. See one of my past entries as well as http://www.miksmit.com for more information.

"TurnItIn.com - Setting A Few Things Straight" by Shane

Sat, 01 Apr 2006 23:51:17 +0200

I’m unclear about your final sentence. Are you declaring that the TurnItIn.com system does not catch plagiarism, or are you saying that it does not catch ALL plagiarism?

"TurnItIn.com - Setting A Few Things Straight" by Corey

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 09:34:38 +0200

Sean, did you consider leaving ethics in the dust and charging these people for your expertise in defeating the turnitin.com system? :P

Note: I don’t endore cheating cheating, just thought I’d point out to Sean a good way to make some cash.