Submitting a paper

To submit a paper to a Turnitin assignment in Blackboard, the user must log in and upload a file to an existing assignment. Turnitin assignments cannot accept student submissions until the assignment start date and time has passed. Assignments may also reject submissions after the due date and time set by the instructor. 

  1. To check the start date and due date information, click on the view/complete link for the Turnitin assignment in the assignments page. This action opens the assignment inbox showing assignment information, including start and due dates/times as well as other assignment information or special instructions.


  2. Click on the “i” icon to the right of the assignment to view the assignment details containing information about whether resubmissions and late submissions are allowed.

There are two options for a student to submit a paper: file upload or cut and paste.

File upload

The file upload submission type allows you to submit to an assignment through directly loading the file from your computer.

Make sure that the file type you are submitting can be accepted by Turnitin.

Users whose files are saved in a file type that is not accepted by Turnitin will need to use a word processing program to save the file as one of the accepted types. Rich Text Format and Plain Text file types are nearly universally available in word processing software. Neither file type will support images or non-text data within the file. Plain text format does not support any formatting, and rich text format supports only limited formatting options.

  1. Click the Submit tab to open the assignment submission page.
  2. If you are given a choice of which submission type to use to submit your assignment, you will need to select File Upload under Submission Method.

    If the assignment requires you to submit by File Upload, please go to the next step.

  3. Enter the submission title.
  4. If there is more than one part to your assignment, you must select which part you are submitting from the Submission Part. Click the drop-down menu and select the relevant part.
  5. Click on the Choose File... button to select the file that you would like to submit. This will open a dialog box, allowing your to locate your assignment in your computer.
  6. If your instructor has enabled this option, before submitting the assignment, you must check the box next to Notice.
  7. Click the Submit Paper button to submit your paper. This button is located at both the top and bottom of the Submissions Inbox page.
  8. Upon submission, a green box advising you that the paper has been successfully submitted will appear above the assignment title. Alternatively, if any issues have occurred, you must correct these before attempting to submit again.

Cut and Paste

The cut and paste submission option allows users to submit information from non-supported word processors or file types, or to only submit specific parts or areas of a document that may need an Similarity Report generated.

Only text can be submitted via the cut and paste method - any graphics, graphs, images, and formatting will be lost when pasting into the text submission box.

  1. Enter the submission title.
  2. If there is more than one part to your assignment, you must select which part you are submitting from the Submission Part. Click the drop-down menu and select the relevant part.
  3. Copy the text you want to submit and paste it within the text box.

    To cut and paste text, highlight the text of your assignment in a word processing or text editing program, and select copy from the edit menu. To transfer the text into your browser, place your mouse cursor in the text box of the submission page and select paste from your browser’s edit menu.

  4. If your instructor has enabled this option, before submitting the assignment, you must check the box next to Notice.
  5. Click the Submit paper button to submit your paper. This button is located at both the top and bottom of the Submissions Inbox page.
  6. Upon submission, a green box advising you that the paper has been successfully submitted will appear above the assignment title. Alternatively, if any issues have occurred, you must correct these before attempting to submit again.