How to Check Plagiarism in an English Literature Research Paper Before Submission | JCRELC

How to Check Plagiarism in an English Literature Research Paper Before Submission

Originality is a fundamental requirement of academic research, particularly in English literature, where scholars closely examine literary texts, critical interpretations, historical contexts, and theoretical perspectives. A research paper may include quotations from novels, poems, plays, essays, and scholarly publications. Although these sources are essential to literary analysis, they must be acknowledged and incorporated appropriately.

Plagiarism occurs when a researcher presents another person's words, ideas, interpretations, or intellectual contributions as their own without adequate acknowledgment. It can be intentional, such as copying paragraphs without citation, or unintentional, such as paraphrasing a critic's argument too closely or forgetting to provide a reference.

Before submitting a research paper to a journal, researchers should conduct a systematic plagiarism check. This process helps identify unattributed similarities, incomplete citations, overly close paraphrasing, and problems with quotations. It also provides an opportunity to strengthen the paper's academic integrity and improve the presentation of original literary arguments. For a broader overview of pre-submission preparations, see our guide on Common Mistakes to Avoid Before Submitting a Research Paper to a Journal.

However, plagiarism checking is not simply about achieving a low similarity percentage. In English literature, certain similarities are inevitable because researchers frequently discuss the same literary works, quote established texts, and use standard critical terminology. The purpose is to evaluate the context of each match and determine whether the source has been acknowledged correctly.

Understand the Difference Between Plagiarism and Similarity

Before using any plagiarism detection tool, it is important to distinguish between textual similarity and plagiarism.

A similarity report identifies passages that resemble material in the databases searched by the software. It does not independently determine whether plagiarism has occurred.

For example, a research paper examining William Shakespeare's Hamlet may contain quotations from the play, references to character names, and commonly used critical terms. These elements may generate matches even when the researcher has followed appropriate citation practices. Conversely, a paper may have a relatively low similarity score but still contain plagiarism if it reproduces a scholar's original interpretation without acknowledgment.

Example Plagiarism Concern? Explanation
A correctly cited quotation from a poem Generally no The source is acknowledged and the quotation is clearly identified.
A critic's argument reproduced without citation Yes The intellectual contribution is presented without attribution.
A paraphrase that closely follows the source's wording Potentially yes Changing a few words does not necessarily make borrowed writing original.
Common literary terminology Usually no Standard disciplinary language is not automatically plagiarism.
A bibliography entry without an in-text citation where one is needed Potentially yes Listing a source does not automatically attribute every borrowed idea to it.

The central question is not simply how many words match another publication. Researchers must determine whether the matching material is properly quoted, cited, and integrated into their own analysis.

Choose a Suitable Plagiarism Detection Tool

The next step is to select a plagiarism detection tool that can identify similarities across academic publications, websites, and other relevant sources. Different tools use different databases and matching methods. Therefore, no single tool can guarantee that every instance of plagiarism will be identified.

Turnitin is widely used by educational institutions and academic organizations to examine textual similarity. Its reports can help researchers identify matching passages, locate potential source material, and review citation practices. Access may depend on institutional arrangements. Researchers should check whether their university, research supervisor, or affiliated institution provides access and whether the tool can be used for pre-submission checking. A Turnitin similarity report should be interpreted carefully. A high score does not automatically establish plagiarism, and a low score does not guarantee that a paper is free from attribution problems.

iThenticate is designed for scholarly and professional document screening. It is particularly relevant to researchers preparing manuscripts for journal publication because it compares submitted text against available scholarly and online content. Researchers should check whether their target journal provides screening or recommends a particular process. Some publishers use similarity screening as part of editorial assessment, but practices differ by journal.

Grammarly's plagiarism checker offers plagiarism-checking functionality in eligible plans. It may help identify text that resembles material available in its comparison sources. Researchers should review the tool's coverage and features before relying on it for a scholarly manuscript. A general writing assistant may be useful for preliminary checks, but it should not automatically be treated as a substitute for specialized academic screening.

Other services, including Quetext and Scribbr's plagiarism-checking service, may offer useful options depending on availability, access conditions, and the type of material being examined. Before uploading a manuscript, review the service's privacy policy, document-retention practices, and terms of use. Unpublished research may contain original interpretations, sensitive research material, or work intended for future publication.

If your institution or target journal provides access to a recognized academic similarity-checking service, start there. If you use another tool, understand its database limitations and treat the report as a screening aid rather than a final judgment.

Prepare the Manuscript Before Checking It

A well-organized document makes the similarity report easier to interpret.

Before uploading your English literature research paper, confirm that the manuscript contains the correct version of the title, abstract, main text, footnotes, quotations, and references.

Check whether the tool allows you to exclude or separately analyze bibliographies, quoted material, and standard phrases. These settings can affect the reported similarity percentage. For example, a paper that includes an extensive bibliography may generate numerous matches because publication titles, author names, journal names, and reference details are repeated across academic databases.

However, exclusions should not be used to conceal problematic borrowing. If a matching passage is improperly paraphrased or lacks attribution, excluding it from the report does not resolve the underlying issue.

It is also important to review the journal's submission guidelines. Some journals request the complete manuscript, while others have particular requirements for supplementary files, notes, or references.

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Generate and Read the Similarity Report

After uploading the manuscript, allow the software to generate its report. Depending on the service, the report may display an overall similarity score, highlighted passages, matched sources, and links to comparable content.

Do not focus exclusively on the overall percentage. Examine the individual matches and assess their significance.

For an English literature paper, pay particular attention to the literature review, checking whether the arguments of literary critics and previous researchers are attributed correctly. Verify the attribution of concepts associated with literary theorists, philosophers, and critical schools in the theoretical framework. Review quotations from primary literary texts and ensure they are reproduced accurately and cited according to the required style during close textual analysis. Check whether paraphrased criticism follows the source's wording and sentence structure too closely. Confirm that borrowed ideas and quotations are properly acknowledged in footnotes and endnotes. Ensure that wording from other publications has not been copied without attribution in the abstract and conclusion. Finally, confirm that sources are accurately listed and that the required in-text citations are present in the references.

A match should be investigated in context. A short phrase shared with several sources may be less concerning than a long passage that reproduces a scholar's distinctive argument.

Examine Quotations From Literary Texts Carefully

English literature research often requires direct quotations from primary sources. These may include poems, plays, novels, short stories, letters, autobiographies, and other literary works.

Such quotations are not automatically plagiarism. Their acceptability depends on accurate reproduction, appropriate acknowledgment, the conventions of the discipline, and applicable copyright requirements.

For example, a paper discussing Pride and Prejudice may quote a sentence from Jane Austen's novel. The quotation should be clearly marked and accompanied by the appropriate citation, including a page number or other locator where required and available.

Researchers should also verify which edition or translation they have used. Page numbers and wording can differ between editions, and modern editions may contain editorial material that requires separate acknowledgment.

When quoting poetry, preserve the original wording and line breaks where relevant. When quoting drama, follow the journal's preferred method for identifying acts, scenes, and lines. When discussing translated literature, acknowledge the translation used and distinguish the translator's contribution where appropriate. For a deeper exploration of translation issues, see our article on Translation Studies Today: Cultural Exchange and Global Literatures.

If the quoted material is lengthy, researchers should also review the journal's quotation policies and any applicable copyright requirements. Proper citation does not automatically resolve every copyright issue.

Check Paraphrasing and Summarizing

Paraphrasing is particularly important in literary criticism because research papers often synthesize interpretations from multiple scholars. A proper paraphrase communicates a source's idea in the researcher's own language and sentence structure while acknowledging the original author. Merely replacing a few words with synonyms or rearranging a sentence is not sufficient.

Consider a hypothetical example. A critic argues that a novel's fragmented chronology reflects the protagonist's unstable understanding of personal identity. A weak paraphrase might state that the critic argues the fragmented chronology of the novel reflects the protagonist's unstable perception of personal identity. This version changes very little about the original expression. Even if a similarity tool does not flag the sentence, the paraphrase may remain too close to the source.

A stronger approach explains the critic's argument independently, identifies the particular aspect of the novel being discussed, and cites the critic whose interpretation informs the analysis. For example, a researcher might explain how the novel's shifts in chronology complicate the protagonist's attempts to construct a coherent personal history, then cite the relevant critical source. This approach does more than reduce textual similarity. It also creates space for the researcher's own interpretation and critical engagement.

When paraphrasing, ask yourself whether you have understood the original argument rather than simply rewritten its wording, whether you have expressed the idea using your own sentence structure, whether you have acknowledged the scholar whose interpretation you are using, and whether you have distinguished the scholar's position from your own analysis. If the original wording is especially significant, use a properly attributed direct quotation instead of forcing a paraphrase.

Verify In-Text Citations and the Reference List

A similarity check should be accompanied by a complete citation audit.

English literature journals commonly follow styles such as MLA, APA, or Chicago, although requirements vary. MLA is frequently associated with literary studies, but researchers must follow the style specified by their target journal rather than assuming that one format is universally required.

Review whether every borrowed argument, interpretation, quotation, and specific piece of information has appropriate attribution. Confirm that direct quotations are clearly distinguished from the researcher's own words. Check that in-text citations contain the information required by the chosen style. Ensure that page numbers, line numbers, chapter details, or other locators are included where appropriate. Verify that every cited work appears in the Works Cited list or reference list as required, that every listed source is relevant and accurately recorded, and that quotations and paraphrases are traceable to the correct edition or publication.

Pay special attention to sources mentioned in the literature review. A researcher may correctly list a critical book in the bibliography but still fail to cite it when using a particular argument from that book. Similarly, citations should not be added mechanically to every paragraph without establishing which claim or passage they support. Attribution should be clear enough for readers to identify the source of the borrowed material.

Investigate Repeated Language and Common Phrases

Some similarities arise from conventional academic expressions, methodological descriptions, or frequently used terminology. Phrases such as "the purpose of this study," "postcolonial literary criticism," or "the representation of gender" may appear in many publications. Their occurrence does not automatically indicate plagiarism.

However, researchers should examine longer or distinctive sequences of matching text. A paragraph that reproduces another scholar's phrasing, reasoning, or organizational structure deserves closer attention than a short, commonplace expression.

Also review passages that appear in multiple publications by the same author. Reusing material from one's own previously published work without appropriate acknowledgment may raise concerns about text recycling or redundant publication, depending on the circumstances and journal policies.

If a match comes from a previous dissertation, conference paper, preprint, or article written by the researcher, determine whether disclosure or citation is needed and whether the target journal permits the reuse. The objective is to distinguish acceptable disciplinary language from borrowed expression that requires revision or acknowledgment.

Revise Problematic Passages Without Hiding Similarity

When the report identifies a concern, revise the manuscript according to the nature of the problem.

Problem Identified Appropriate Response
A direct quotation lacks quotation marks Mark the quotation clearly and add the correct citation.
A quotation has no source attribution Identify the original source and provide the required citation.
A paraphrase follows the source too closely Rework the explanation in your own language and cite the source.
A critic's interpretation is presented as your own Attribute the interpretation and distinguish it from your argument.
A quotation is inaccurate Check the original edition and correct the wording and locator.
A bibliography entry is incomplete Verify the publication details and correct the reference.
Previously published text has been reused Review disclosure requirements, cite the earlier work where appropriate, and follow the journal's policy.

Do not simply replace words with synonyms to lower a similarity score. Do not remove citations merely because they increase the percentage, and do not use text-spinning tools to disguise copied material.

Instead, strengthen the paper's original contribution. Explain why a critical interpretation matters, compare competing scholarly positions, and demonstrate how your reading of the literary text supports or challenges an existing argument. A revised passage should be academically sound even if the similarity percentage does not change substantially.

Strengthen the Originality of Your Literary Analysis

An English literature research paper should do more than summarize existing criticism. It should develop a clear argument supported by close reading, relevant scholarship, and a coherent theoretical framework.

To strengthen originality, develop a focused research question. A precise question helps prevent the paper from becoming a collection of summaries of previous scholarship. For guidance on choosing a topic, see our article on How to Choose a Research Topic in English Literature.

Engage critically with existing research. Identify agreements, disagreements, limitations, and unanswered questions in the scholarship rather than reproducing critics' conclusions without analysis.

Support interpretations with textual evidence. Explain how a literary device, narrative structure, image, metaphor, or characterization supports your argument.

Distinguish your position from other scholars' positions. Signal when you are summarizing an existing interpretation and when you are offering your own reading.

Use theory purposefully. If applying feminist, postcolonial, Marxist, psychoanalytic, ecocritical, or narratological approaches, explain how the framework illuminates the specific text rather than relying on generic theoretical descriptions. For a comprehensive overview, explore Key Theories in Cultural Research: From Marxism and Structuralism to Postmodernism and AI.

Avoid unnecessary quotations. Quote when the precise language matters; paraphrase and summarize when the argument can be communicated more effectively in your own words.

Originality does not require inventing an entirely new interpretation of every literary work. It can emerge through a fresh research question, a carefully justified comparison, a new application of theory, a reassessment of an established interpretation, or a nuanced synthesis of existing scholarship.

Protect Your Unpublished Research Before Uploading It

Plagiarism-checking services differ in how they store submitted documents and whether those documents may become part of a comparison database.

Before uploading a manuscript, review the service's privacy policy, retention terms, and institutional arrangements. This is especially important when submitting unpublished research, a thesis chapter, or an article that is being prepared for a journal.

Check whether the service retains the document, whether submission to a repository is optional, and whether your institution has an approved procedure for checking unpublished work.

Avoid uploading confidential manuscripts to unfamiliar websites simply because they advertise free plagiarism checking. Do not assume that every service offers the same level of privacy or document control.

Researchers should also keep a dated copy of the manuscript and retain their notes, source records, and relevant drafts. These materials can help demonstrate the development of the research if questions arise about originality or authorship.

Conduct a Final Check Before Journal Submission

After revising the manuscript, conduct a final review rather than relying solely on the software report. Use the following checklist before submission:

  • The latest manuscript version has been checked.
  • All direct quotations are accurate and appropriately marked.
  • Quotations from primary literary texts have the required citations.
  • Paraphrased arguments from secondary sources are properly attributed.
  • The literature review distinguishes existing scholarship from the researcher's analysis.
  • Footnotes and endnotes have been reviewed.
  • In-text citations and the reference list are consistent.
  • Any reused material has been assessed against the relevant journal policy.
  • Similarity matches have been examined in context.
  • Any revisions have improved attribution, clarity, or originality rather than merely changing words.
  • The journal's author guidelines and publication ethics policies have been reviewed.
  • The final manuscript has been proofread after all revisions.

If the journal provides its own similarity screening, follow its submission procedure and respond honestly to any editorial queries. For additional guidance on preparing your manuscript, explore AD Publications' guide on editing your research paper.

What Similarity Percentage Is Acceptable for an English Literature Paper?

There is no single similarity percentage that guarantees acceptance by every journal. Editorial policies, database coverage, manuscript type, quotation practices, and the nature of the matched text all affect interpretation.

A paper with a higher score may contain legitimate quotations and references, while a paper with a low score may still contain unattributed ideas.

Researchers should therefore avoid treating any percentage as a universal pass mark. If the target journal publishes a specific similarity policy, follow it. If the policy is unclear, contact the editorial office for guidance rather than relying on a generic threshold.

Checking plagiarism in an English literature research paper requires more than uploading a document and reading its similarity score. Researchers need to investigate matching passages, verify quotations, improve paraphrasing, check citations, and distinguish their own critical interpretations from those of other scholars.

A careful review before submission can identify preventable attribution errors and strengthen the manuscript's scholarly credibility. The most reliable approach combines a suitable similarity-checking tool with responsible academic writing, accurate referencing, and a clear original argument.

The ultimate goal is not merely to obtain a low similarity percentage. It is to submit a paper that acknowledges existing scholarship honestly while making a meaningful contribution to literary studies. For additional guidance on academic writing and research, explore AD Publications' guide on writing a complete research paper.

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