A high OV score happens when much of your text appears to be copied from somewhere else. If your writing includes a lot of direct quotes and references, that can increase the score. Also, if you're using a template or copying the text of the assignment into the document, the score will increase. A high OV score is not necessarily a sign of a problem but it does mean your instructor may take a closer look at the OV Report to ensure there aren't any issues.
To lower your OV score, first ensure that all direct quotes have quotation marks and are cited correctly. If you have a lot of quotes, try removing them and paraphrasing instead. Paraphrasing is where you describe the point or data in your own words and phrases instead of using someone else's words. It is better to paraphrase in academic writing because it demonstrates you understand the content.
You can view the OV Report and see what it is marking as copied text. Look for big blocks of color in the text, like a whole sentence or paragraph. That indicates a lot of text has been copied. Small blocks that highlight just a phrase or a title are not of concern. Consider if there is a different way to say the copied text in your own way, or if that section is needed at all.
