How do I check for plagiarism without publishing to site?

Discussion in 'Copywriting' started by Filmwonk, Jul 18, 2007.

  1. #1
    If someone supplies me with written content for my website, is there a way to check to see that it's not plagiarized without first putting it on my site?
     
    Filmwonk, Jul 18, 2007 IP
  2. michellesabre

    michellesabre Peon

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    #2
    take a couple of lines.. and plop em into google... at least you ll know if its fresh content or not :p
     
    michellesabre, Jul 19, 2007 IP
  3. smartinvestor

    smartinvestor Peon

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    #3
    Yes, and use quotation marks. "what you want to check"

    Success Tips
    http://SucceedWithThis.com
     
    smartinvestor, Jul 19, 2007 IP
  4. Filmwonk

    Filmwonk Peon

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    #4
    Thanks, guys. Don't know why I didn't think of that...
     
    Filmwonk, Jul 19, 2007 IP
  5. Kontent.solutions

    Kontent.solutions Peon

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    #5
    Payed version of Copyscape has a text box area where you can post and check if the content is copied.

    Using the free version, you can post it into a .html file, upload it and then can test it.

    Regards,
    ~G
     
    Kontent.solutions, Jul 19, 2007 IP
  6. BlindCat

    BlindCat Banned

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    #6
    I use copyscape. Previously there was another tool called dustball...but now its gone
     
    BlindCat, Jul 19, 2007 IP
  7. shimon33

    shimon33 Peon

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    #7
    I thought universities are using some new software to check students who write papers. Get that software i guess.
     
    shimon33, Jul 19, 2007 IP
  8. KeywordsandCopy

    KeywordsandCopy Peon

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    #8
    Obviously copyscape is the most common. But as mentioned, you may also be able to simply put some content into Google to see what comes back.
     
    KeywordsandCopy, Jul 19, 2007 IP
  9. jyoti-vats

    jyoti-vats Peon

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    #9
    I tried google for sometimes, but it is time consuming, moreover you are not sure for the results. I m using the paid version of copyscape and I am happy with that.. saving lots of time.. and it is cost effective
     
    jyoti-vats, Jul 22, 2007 IP
  10. tomcatuk

    tomcatuk Peon

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    #10
    Universities have plagiarism software - my wife finished her degree this year at UCL (University College London). They just brought it into force this year. From the way she described it, it's expensive but does the job.
     
    tomcatuk, Jul 22, 2007 IP
  11. Tiggi

    Tiggi Active Member

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    #11
    you don't have to buy anything. Copyscape or Plagiarism Finder will do the job at no expense for you
     
    Tiggi, Jul 23, 2007 IP
  12. internetauthor

    internetauthor Peon

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    #12
    Quite honestly it's a shame you have to worry about that at all, but I guess it's necessary. One would hope that you'd find someone professional enough and be able to put a bit of trust in them for future projects after the first few check out.

    That being said, Copyscape and Google are the easiest ways to check, with Copyscape being better but possibly more expensive (if you go with the paid version.)

    Rebecca
     
    internetauthor, Jul 23, 2007 IP
  13. webmasterlabor.com

    webmasterlabor.com Peon

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    #13
    Use blogger then compare the url to copyscape. After you're done testing for originality, delete the blogger entry.
     
    webmasterlabor.com, Jul 25, 2007 IP
  14. jyoti-vats

    jyoti-vats Peon

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    #14
    Hey Nice Idea, I will definitely try once. it will save my money :D
     
    jyoti-vats, Jul 26, 2007 IP
  15. gr8liverpoolfan

    gr8liverpoolfan Notable Member

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    #15
    Not always good. Especially if you are somekind of middleman between buyer and writer
    What happens if Google 'accidentally' indexes it while it is online, and when you submit it to the new owner, the entry comes up in Google, and the buyer thinks that you are taking him for a ride.
     
    gr8liverpoolfan, Jul 26, 2007 IP
  16. KingofKings

    KingofKings Banned

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    #16
    Do these programs like copyscape really work? And how do they work.. What's the science behind it?
     
    KingofKings, Jul 26, 2007 IP
  17. Nectarine

    Nectarine Peon

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    #17
    It's just keywords for the most part. If I'm posting an article from ezinearticles (for example): the articles would be a 100% match for keywords. If I change half the keywords to similar keywords and adjust the syntax, it might pop up as being 30% similar or something like that and flag as genuine.

    For most articles, keywords are nouns and objects: Prince William, housecoast, tea set, hotel -- these are all keywords.

    I've heard that some systems actually count all of the words and compare them. So if your article has 47 "The," 42 "Spleen," and 37 "windows" -- and mine has the same, there's a good chance that portions may be plagiarized. With english there are so many different ways to say the same thing that for two people to say exactly the same thing is really pretty rare.

    Not that I would actually do it, but finding splogs and listening to their owners on a regular basis has actually made it quite tempting to cheat sometimes. When I post content that's not original I'm always very transparent about it and it's always within the term of the originating sites.
     
    Nectarine, Jul 26, 2007 IP
  18. jackweb2020

    jackweb2020 Active Member

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    #18
    does ezinearticles allow you to change keywords and syntax?
     
    jackweb2020, Jul 26, 2007 IP
  19. vertigoflow

    vertigoflow Well-Known Member

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    #19
    I've used this tool:
    http://www.articlechecker.com/

    Not sure how reliable it is.


    No, read the TOS. You must use them 'as-is'
     
    vertigoflow, Jul 26, 2007 IP
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  20. Nectarine

    Nectarine Peon

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    #20
    You're right, it doesn't -- they also require a full disclosure. I never change them (the few times I do use them), and it's fully disclosed.

    I was only illustrating the science (math?) behind plagiarism checkers.
     
    Nectarine, Jul 27, 2007 IP