why does plagiarism have a red x next to my paper when trying to check it?

I bet the text in your paper has been found in another source document not written by you.

Are you clear on what plagiarism is and isn't? Let me know if you need explanation or ideas about how to make sure you are nowhere close to plagiarizing in your papers.

Also, do you know one of the easiest ways to find word-for-word sequences of words ... to double-check and make sure nothing that could be called plagiarism shows up in your work?

The red "x" next to your paper when trying to check for plagiarism typically indicates that your paper has a high level of similarity with other sources. Plagiarism checkers use various algorithms and databases to compare your paper against a vast amount of online content, including academic papers, publications, websites, and other student submissions.

To understand why your paper has a red "x," you should follow these steps:

1. Read the report: When using a plagiarism checker, it usually generates a report highlighting the problematic parts. It will indicate the sources that have similar content to your paper.

2. Analyze the similarities: Review the parts of your paper that are flagged as similar. Check if these similarities are accidental, such as common phrases or quotations, or if they indicate a more extensive issue with potential plagiarism.

3. Determine the originality: Compare your paper with the sources listed in the report. If your content matches or closely resembles existing material without proper citation or acknowledgment, then it may be considered plagiarism.

4. Revise and cite: If you find instances of plagiarism, revise those parts by rephrasing, paraphrasing, or quoting the sources correctly. Ensure you provide proper citations and references to acknowledge the original authors.

Remember, plagiarism is a serious academic offense that can have severe consequences. Always strive to produce original work while properly citing and acknowledging your sources.