Paper Flagged by an AI Detector? What to Do Next

Start by Understanding the Report

An AI writing flag is a statistical signal. It is not the same thing as a plagiarism finding, and it is not automatically proof of misconduct. Read the report carefully and identify which sections were highlighted.

If You Wrote the Work Yourself

Gather your drafts, notes, outlines, source annotations, version history, and any assignment materials that show your process. False positives can happen, especially with formal, technical, or non-native English writing.

If You Used AI Assistance

Check your institution's policy. Some assignments allow AI for brainstorming or editing with disclosure. Others do not. If disclosure is required, be direct and specific about what you used and where.

How to Revise Highlighted Sections

Focus on writing quality. Add concrete evidence. Remove generic transitions. Make your reasoning visible. Preserve your actual claims. If you use ShadowText's Humanizer, review the output line by line before making it final.

How to Prevent Problems Later

Keep process records while you write. Save outlines, source notes, and drafts. Use AI tools responsibly and follow the rules of the class or organization. A good paper should be explainable by the person submitting it.