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. He’s 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.

What’s wrong with this type of activity? Besides being dishonest–it’s downright dangerous. Would you want to go to a doctor who didn’t 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 won’t 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 won’t show on some programs universities use to catch that activity. What does give away a paper penned by the “Ed’s” of the ghost writing world is that the student’s voice isn’t present. Professors can see a difference and this is what may trip up a cheat.

Yes or No?

Should you or shouldn’t you? Simple answer–you shouldn’t. No matter how you look at it, it’s still one thing–cheating. You won’t be proud of your work because it isn’t your work, it’s 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 finally–is it really worth it? 

Your answers to these questions are food for thought–the right answers taste sweet, the wrong ones are bitter.

 

If you found this blog interesting or helpful, re-tweets and sharing are appreciated!

 

 

©2010