Paying the Ghost for a Grade
Posted by Judy Anne Cavey on Oct 19, 2011 in Cheating, Ghost Papers, Theisis Papers | No Comments
It’s a dishonest practice with far-reaching consequences…
Diane Sawyer (World News) spotlighted a growing trend in America: college students paying someone else to write their papers.
Interviewed anonymously, a writer going by the name of Ed told of his business writing papers for cash. Hes had his lucrative business for 10 years, writing for doctors, lawyers, pharmacologists and others. Basically, “Ed” does research for thesis papers off of Google, he does not have degrees or training in any of these fields.
Whats wrong with this type of activity? Besides being dishonest–its downright dangerous. Would you want to go to a doctor who didnt do his or her own work? Or how about getting medicines from a pharmacologist who paid for a grade?
Ghost Writers Profiting
It seems there are many other ghost writers from which to choose, besides good old “Ed”, who have no conscience about writing papers for students. I actually met one of them on LinkedIn last year while discussing this subject. He saw nothing wrong with what he was doing–money being his motivation.
To make matters worse, some parents (who won’t be receiving the “Parent of the Year” award) have been behind paying for those papers too. They’re teaching their own flesh and blood how to cheat in academia. That type of parental guidance wont produce honest citizens in the future. In addition, it’s sending people out into professions who haven’t earned their degrees honestly.
Academic Disadvantage
Professors and T. A.’s are at a bit of a disadvantage with these ghost written papers. If there has been no plagiarism committed, it wont show on some programs universities use to catch that activity. What does give away a paper penned by the Eds of the ghost writing world is that the students voice isnt present. Professors can see a difference and this is what may trip up a cheat.
Yes or No?
Should you or shouldnt you? Simple answer–you shouldnt. No matter how you look at it, its still one thingcheating. You wont be proud of your work because it isnt your work, its the ghost writers! And you’ll be cheating everyone you come in contact with professionally once you graduate.
Questions for the Answer
Are you considering a ghost writer to do your paper? If so, ask yourself these questions: At what point will you stop cheating? Will you continue to cheat at everything you do? How much cheating is too much cheating? How would you feel if someone cheated you? And finallyis it really worth it?
Your answers to these questions are food for thought–the right answers taste sweet, the wrong ones are bitter.
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