How to use Similarity Checker in Microsoft Word

The video tutorial demonstrates how to use the Similarity Checker feature in Microsoft Word, which is particularly useful for students to ensure their work is original and properly cited. The feature is part of the A3 or A5 Microsoft 365 subscriptions and not available in the A1 subscription. The process involves creating a new Word document, writing a paper with content from sources like encyclopedia Britannica and Wikipedia, and then using the Similarity Checker to identify and correct potential plagiarism. The editor provides scoring and suggestions for refinements. The Similarity Checker searches the web for matches to the document's content and allows users to add in-text citations in various styles, such as MLA or Chicago. It also enables copying full citations for inclusion in a bibliography. The video encourages students to use this tool to check their documents before submission to practice academic integrity.

Takeaways

• 📝 Use the Similarity Checker in Microsoft Word to prevent accidental plagiarism or missing citations.
• 💡 This feature is available in Word for the web and is part of the A3 or A5 Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
• 🚀 Start by creating a new Word document and writing your content, including pasting text from sources like encyclopedia Britannica or Wikipedia.
• 🔍 Turn on the Similarity Checker from the Home tab on the right side of the Word interface.
• 🌟 The Similarity Checker uses Bing to search the web for exact matches of your content.
• ✅ Easily add in-text citations with default MLA style or switch to other styles like Chicago.
• 📑 The checker highlights the checked content in green to indicate it has been similarity checked.
• 🔗 Copy the full citation to include in your bibliography for a properly sourced document.
• 🎓 This tool is particularly useful for students to check their documents before submission.
• 📚 It encourages independent practice in checking for plagiarism and proper citation.
• ⚠️ Note that the Similarity Checker is not available in A1 subscriptions.
• 🔔 Stay updated with the latest tips by subscribing to the channel and enabling notifications.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the similarity checker in Microsoft Word?

The similarity checker in Microsoft Word is designed to help students independently verify their sources and citations to prevent inadvertent plagiarism and ensure proper attribution.

Is the similarity checker feature available in all Microsoft 365 subscriptions?

No, the similarity checker is only available in A3 or A5 Microsoft 365 subscriptions. It is not available in the A1 subscription.

How does the similarity checker search for content matches?

The similarity checker uses Bing to search the web for exact matches of the content within the document to ensure there are no duplicates of the text online.

What citation styles does the similarity checker support?

The similarity checker supports various citation styles, including MLA and Chicago, which can be selected by the user as needed.

How does the similarity checker indicate that a section of text has been checked?

After a section of text has been similarity checked, it is highlighted in green within the document.

What happens when the similarity checker finds a match to online sources?

When a match is found, the user has the option to add an in-text citation. The checker also provides the ability to copy the full citation for inclusion in a bibliography.

Where can the similarity checker be accessed within Microsoft Word?

The similarity checker can be found on the Home tab, to the right under 'Editor' in Word for the web, and it is also available on the Review tab.

What is the default citation style used by the similarity checker when adding citations?

The default citation style used by the similarity checker is MLA, but this can be changed by the user to another style such as Chicago.

Is there a limit to the number of sources the similarity checker can detect?

The script does not specify a limit to the number of sources the similarity checker can detect, but it does show the ability to find and address multiple instances of similar content.

How does the similarity checker benefit students in their writing process?

The similarity checker benefits students by providing an independent practice tool to ensure their work is original and properly cited, which is crucial before submitting their documents.

What is the name of the feature that has replaced the spellchecking button in Word for the web?

The feature that has replaced the spellchecking button in Word for the web is called 'Editor'.

What action can a user take if they find the video explaining the similarity checker useful?

If a user finds the video useful, they can give it a like, subscribe to the channel, and click the bell to get notified for all new videos posted.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introducing Word Similarity Checker

The video script introduces a feature in Word for the web called the Word Similarity Checker, which is part of the editor tool. This feature is designed to assist students in checking their written work for potential plagiarism by comparing it against online sources. The video provides a step-by-step guide on how to use this tool, starting with creating a new Word document and proceeding to paste content from sources like Encyclopedia Britannica and Wikipedia. The similarity checker is accessed through the Home tab and can identify matches to web content using Bing's search capabilities. It also allows users to add in-text citations in various styles, such as MLA and Chicago, and to copy full citations for bibliography purposes. The video emphasizes that this tool is an independent practice for students and is only available with A3 or A5 M365 subscriptions, not with A1.

Keywords

Similarity Checker

The Similarity Checker is a tool within Microsoft Word that helps identify content which may be similar to existing online sources, thus preventing accidental plagiarism. It is a feature that scans the text for matches and suggests citations when similarities are found. In the video, the user demonstrates how to use this tool to check a paper on the Amazon rainforest, ensuring that the copied content from encyclopedia Britannica and Wikipedia is properly cited.

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is a widely used word processing software that allows users to create, edit, and format documents. It is part of the Microsoft Office suite and is used for a variety of tasks from writing essays to creating professional reports. In the context of the video, Word is used to write a paper and the Similarity Checker is a feature within this software that helps maintain academic integrity.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's work or ideas without giving proper credit to the original source, which is considered a serious academic offense. The video emphasizes the importance of avoiding plagiarism by using the Similarity Checker to ensure that any borrowed content is properly cited. It is a key concern for students and professionals who need to ensure the originality of their work.

Citations

Citations are formal references to the sources from which ideas or information are taken. They are essential for academic writing to acknowledge the work of others and to prevent plagiarism. In the video, the Similarity Checker not only identifies similar content but also assists in adding in-text citations in various styles, such as MLA and Chicago, to the paper.

MLA Style

MLA (Modern Language Association) style is a system used for documenting sources in academic writing, particularly in the humanities. It provides a set of guidelines for formatting papers and citing sources. In the video, the user changes the default citation style to MLA when adding an in-text citation for the content from encyclopedia Britannica.

Chicago Style

Chicago Style is another widely used citation style, often preferred in history and other social sciences. It offers two formats: the notes and bibliography system and the author-date system. In the video, the user chooses the Chicago style for citing content from Wikipedia, demonstrating the tool's flexibility in accommodating different citation preferences.

Bing

Bing is a search engine owned and operated by Microsoft. In the context of the Similarity Checker, Bing is utilized to search the web for exact matches of the content within the Word document. This helps ensure that the content is unique and not directly copied from existing online sources.

Editor

In the video, 'Editor' refers to a feature within Microsoft Word that provides suggestions for spelling corrections, grammar, and style enhancements. It is also the section where the Similarity Checker is found. The Editor feature is part of the next generation of spellchecking and is a tool that aids in refining the quality of the written content.

A3 or A5 M 365 Subscriptions

A3 or A5 M 365 Subscriptions refer to specific Microsoft 365 subscription plans that include advanced features such as the Similarity Checker. The video script notes that this feature is not available in the basic A1 subscription plan, indicating that it is a premium feature reserved for higher-tier subscribers.

Web for the Web

Word for the web is a browser-based version of Microsoft Word that allows users to create and edit documents online without the need for a desktop application. The video demonstrates the use of the Similarity Checker in Word for the web, highlighting its accessibility for users who prefer or require a cloud-based solution.

Bibliography

A bibliography is a detailed listing of the books, articles, and other sources used in a research paper or project. It provides readers with the means to locate and verify the sources themselves. In the video, the user copies the full citation from the Similarity Checker to paste into the bibliography section of the paper, showing how the tool aids in compiling a list of sources.

Highlights

Demonstrates how to use the word similarity checker in Microsoft Word for the web and Word editor.

The feature helps students check their work for inadvertent plagiarism or missing citations.

Similarity checker is part of A3 or A5 Microsoft 365 subscriptions.

Creating a new Word document to write a paper on the Amazon rainforest.

Pasting content from Encyclopedia Britannica and Wikipedia into the document.

Formatting the text and preparing the paper for similarity check.

Accessing the similarity checker from the 'Home' tab in Word.

Editor provides a scoring system and suggestions for text corrections.

Similarity check searches the web using Bing to find matches to the document's content.

Ability to add in-text citations with default MLA style or other styles like Chicago.

Citations are added automatically and highlighted in green to indicate they've been checked.

Option to copy the full citation for use in a bibliography.

Similarity checking is an independent practice encouraged for students before submission.

The feature is not available in A1 subscriptions.

A reminder that similarity checking is only available in A3 or A5 subscriptions.

Encouragement for students to use this feature as a practice run before turning in their documents.

Invitation to like the video and subscribe to the channel for more quick tip videos.