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Turnitin can be integrated into your Canvas course in two ways. Each option slightly different features depending on your needs. If you're not sure which you want, review the comparison chart of both options. 

Option 1: Canvas Turnitin Integration (via Assignment Settings):

This method allows instructors to enable Turnitin similarity checking directly within a Canvas assignment. You’ll have access to Similarity Reports, flags for potential plagiarism, AI detection, and basic annotation tools via SpeedGrader in Canvas. This is a quick and straightforward option if you only need similarity reports and inline comments.

Option 2: Turnitin Feedback Studio (Full Tool via LTI 1.3):

This method launches Turnitin as a separate tool from within Canvas using the Turnitin LTI 1.3. It provides all the features available in Turnitin’s Feedback Studio, including Similarity Reports, AI detection, QuickMarks, rubrics, and full annotation tools. Feedback Studio assignments are accessed by clicking on the assignment name from either the Assignments page or a Module page. This option is ideal if you want full Turnitin grading capabilities and advanced feedback tools.

Note: Once Turnitin is enabled, review our Turnitin Instructor View resource for your version to learn how to interpret the similarity report.

Option 1: Enable Turnitin through the Canvas Assignment

1.Navigate to the Assignments tab of your courseand click on the specific assignment you would like to enable turnitin. 

Assignments on Canvas with several assignments listed

 

2. Once you've clicked onthe Assignment Name, you will be taken into the preview window. Click on the Edit button.

Edit button in the top right-hand corner for an assignment

 

3. In your Canvas assignment settings, ensure the Submission Type is set to Online with either Text Entry or File Uploads, then scroll down to the criteria under the Rich Content Editor window and locate the Plagiarism Review section. From the dropdown menu, select Turnitin Plagiarism Review.

Submission type and the plagiarism option turned on

4. Once you have selected Plagiarism Review, you will get a pop up on extra options for your assignment. Make your selections for each option. 

Turnitin options for the assignment

5. Finally, once you've chosen all the other options for the assignment, save the assignment. 

Save button for an assignment in the bottom right-hand corner

Note: For assignments set up this way, instructors can grade, view, and annotate submissions directly in Canvas SpeedGrader. Once Turnitin is enabled, review our Turnitin Instructor View resource for your version to learn how to interpret the similarity report.

Option 2: Enable Turnitin via the LTI 1.3 (Feedback Studio)

  1. From your course Assignments tab, click the three dots next to the +Assignments button and select Turnitin from the dropdown.

Assignment window of Canvas with the 3 dots clicked and a dropdown menu with turnitin selected

       2. The Turnitin LTI interface will open within Canvas.

Create assignment window of Turnitin in Canvas

       3. Fill in the assignment details and click Create Assignment.

Turnitin window of Canvas with Create Assignment selected 

       4. After selecting Create Assignment, the new assignment will appear in your course’s Assignments area and a corresponding column will be added to the Gradebook. Locate the assignment title, click on it, and publish when you’re ready.Assignment page of Canvas with Turnitin assignment selected

       5. In this view, you will see student submissions and can get a quick view of their similiarty report. 

Turnitin assignment with submissions

       6. Click the pencil icon to open a student’s full paper, where you can add QuickMarks and grade with or without a Turnitin rubric.

NOTE: You will see the Turnitin's new version of a similarity report. You can learn more about this version by reviewing Turnitin's resource Overview of the New Similarity Report. 

Turnitin full paper submission with ability to annotate

NOTE: For assignments created through the Turnitin LTI, all submissions and grading take place in Feedback Studio. Both instructors and students access the assignment by clicking its title on the Assignments or Modules page.

Once Turnitin is enabled, review our Turnitin Instructor View resource for your version to learn how to interpret the similarity report.

While grades are recorded in Feedback Studio, they do not automatically transfer to the assignment column created in the Canvas gradebook. Instructors will need to either enter scores manually or export a CSV from Turnitin (at the top of the student submission page) and import it into Canvas.