Body
Description
Turnitin Draft Coach is a writing support tool available to OHIO users as an add-in in Microsoft Word Online (part of Microsoft 365). Draft Coach delivers feedback on grammar and mechanics and supports similarity checks to facilitate appropriate citations and attribution. Similarity checks run through Draft Coach does not save your document to Turnitin’s database, so using the tool won’t trigger future similarity flags.
Environment
Microsoft Word Online only using your Ohio University account. Turnitin Draft Coach is not compatible with the desktop version of Microsoft Word.
Solution
How to access Turnitin Draft Coach in Microsoft Word Online the first time:
- Sign in to your Microsoft 365 account with your OHIO credentials.
- Navigate to Word via the waffle menu (nine dots in a square at the top left of the screen)
- Open a document in Word Online.
- Follow the steps in Adding Turnitin Draft Coach to Microsoft Word Online to add Draft Coach as an Add-In within Microsoft Word.
How to access Turnitin Draft Coach after initial set-up:
- Sign in to your Microsoft 365 account with your OHIO credentials
- Open a document in Word Online.
- Select the Turnitin tab from the toolbar.
- Click Draft Coach.
- A panel will open on the right side of the window. Click Get Feedback Now to begin using:
- Similarity Check (up to 3 per document)
- Citation Check
- Grammar Guide
Accessibility Considerations
Turnitin Draft Coach underwent a Technology Review, in October 2025, which included an accessibility evaluation. Accessibility reviews are limited in scope and reflect testing results at the time of review. Some barriers may not be listed, and user experiences may vary depending on assistive technology and browser settings.
As part of the review, accessibility issues were identified that may create barriers for users who rely on assistive technology. Users who navigate with a keyboard, use a screen reader, or have low vision or limited mobility may experience difficulty using certain features in Turnitin Draft Coach.
- Buttons and links may not be clearly labeled, and the order of navigation may feel inconsistent.
- Visual cues that show where the cursor or focus is located may be missing, which can make it harder to move through the tool efficiently.
- Content may not resize or reflow properly when zoomed in, requiring horizontal scrolling or making parts of the page difficult to see.
For Students
If you have difficulty using Turnitin Draft Coach or cannot complete an assignment because of accessibility barriers:
- Report the issue to our team by detailing the concern to the servicedesk@ohio.edu. The issue will then be escalated for further investigation by our team, which could involve follow up with the vendor.
- For an assignment required by your instructor: Contact your instructor first to explain what part of the tool is not working for you. Your instructor will provide an equivalent alternative or another way to complete your assignment.
For Faculty
- If the student has not done so, report the issue to our team by detailing the concern to the servicedesk@ohio.edu. The issue will then be escalated for further investigation by our team, which could involve follow up with the vendor.
- For required assignments: Offer an equivalent alternative or work around for students who report an accessibility issue for this or any tool to support student success.
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