the writing services 

the writing services

The Ethics and Implications of Using Writing Services in Academic Settings

1. Introduction to Writing Services in Academic Contexts

But things change slightly in the world of scholastic and academic writing. We have remarkably built a taboo in pure academic writing across various intellectual areas, except in cases when the collaboration is on joint team projects that require the expertise of different team members (an elusive concept that ethical guidelines recognize). To be specific, a typical unbreakable iron curtain appears between a holder of knowledge certificate (a tightly controlled academic student body) and the general knowledge store of society used in academic output. The unwritten rule in academia expects a student or a knowledge scientist to utilize only their brains and nothing else, except in cases where indexed collaboration or limited assistance is expected and acknowledged in the outputs in the form of multiple authors providing the proper faculty-specific contribution letter with the associated work. The usage of writing services in academia has thus been tabooed and largely been erased, while the assignment without networks of these has been paradoxically highly priced.

In high-stake intellectual property transactions in the corporate world, it is not uncommon to employ the service of very highly paid legal consultants who are expected to assist in producing better quality output for their client organizations. And in the world of music production, some of the greatest hits are products of great collaborative writing from multiple well-paid musicians, where the maestro orchestrates to produce an output that garners a large market following. We do not typically judge these practices as unethical or against any moral standards. In general, individuals with expertise in multitaskable fields such as programming, finance, web designing, legal writing, music composition, etc., can use a variety of writing services to produce the highest quality output. Indeed, the use of services from corporations for custom writing, educational support, and tutoring to get an upper edge and to enhance one’s own individual and corporate outputs seems quite commonplace in contemporary society.

2. The Benefits and Risks of Using Writing Services

At first blush, the benefits of assistance with writing are very clear. The student is provided with a polished document that is likely to earn high marks, which encourages learning, provides support and reassurance, as well as assists in the process of managing work and life, especially when many demands are placed on the student at once. Significantly, each of these ‘benefits’ can be encapsulated in two helpful phrases: “no more anxiety” and “peace of mind.” Indeed, going this route can feel like a win-win situation. The temptation to outsource work is hard to resist, especially when the pressure of work exceeds the time available to invest in completing assignments. Additionally, the services are affordable and confidentiality rules the day.

So… what could be wrong with a little help in the writing process? Perhaps making use of a writing service is similar to getting a friend to take notes in class. This is something that is done and it doesn’t have to be wrong. However, it is worth thinking about the potential risks since hiring an academic writing agency is also different from doing the work oneself, just as having someone else take all of your notes and prepare your study guide for you leaves you at a disadvantage for quizzes, exams, and coursework. So, what are the benefits of using a writing service, and how do the risks created by such services compare to those of other outsourcing strategies, such as photocopying homework or getting help from a tutor, friend, family, and/or fellow student?

Given that academic writing can be difficult and at times overwhelming, it is understandable that students might turn to professional writers for help. It is also understandable that the opportunities for purchasing assignments are out there – academic writing is offered as a service, and market demand for the work will create a supply. Said differently, if such services did not exist, it’s likely that the businesses running them would find themselves in another line of work since their services are designed and offered in response to real and legitimate needs. Finally, beyond the scope of this ethics review, it is worth pointing out that some writing services are perfectly legitimate and provide valuable assistance to students who need support and guidance in their writing process. As Holly argues, it is important to remember that writing is part of a larger, multi-step, and iterative process that involves drafting, revision, expansion, and honing argumentation – all tasks that an editor who specializes in improving style and quality so that the student’s ideas and logic come alive can help with.

3. Ethical Considerations and Academic Integrity

It is a fact that there is no end to the creative forms that dishonor can take, and that skimming off material from internet websites is but one new dimension.

Statements on public policy recently promulgated by the American Association for Higher Education and by the education commission of the states and the national council of state legislatures read, “Academic dishonesty has become a critical issue in higher education. Cheating is on the rise, according to surveys of students and new data reflecting unethical behavior in high schools in general.”

The integrity of academic evaluation is vital because it signifies the value and quality of an academic degree which the evaluation implies. When an element of dishonesty invades the educational process, the value and quality of an academic degree get badly affected.

Academic integrity refutes any form of cheating, gaining unfair advantage, and winning maximum grades through fraudulent means. Effective learning through personal efforts forms the core of academic success. While academic assistance services may have merits, academic assignees procure an unfair advantage by transmitting these services as their own. Thus, academic assignment and assessment, requiring individual expertise, are pure forms of academic evaluation.

4. Strategies for Developing Academic Writing Skills

Fostering strong written communication skills: Students engage in several forms of writing, including the exchange of comments or postings in response to reading or experiences, email messages to instructors, the writing of synthesis essays, essays responding to reading assignments, and the use of digital portfolios to showcase their best, polished work. Each type of assigned writing should reflect an ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a command of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage. Assigning multiple low-stakes opportunities for practice in embodying good writing techniques can help students improve their written skills.

Various strategies can be used to help students develop their academic writing skills. They include fostering strong written communication skills, providing clear guidelines and rubrics, offering meaningful feedback, offering extra help, offering student choice in writing topics, promoting collaboration, offering reflective activities, and scaffolding. Most research on teaching writing has centered on writing at the elementary and middle school levels, but more research is beginning to appear about the most effective ways to teach academic writing in university education courses, particularly EFL rooms. Several examples of techniques to promote writing are provided in this section.

5. Conclusion: Navigating the Complexities of Writing Services in Education

Use of writing services by students in academic settings complicates the issue of finding authentic, original written products. The pervasive use of such services goes to the core of educational debates since time immemorial. The educative process is the development and nurturing of knowledge and skills, and eventual demonstration by students through assessments. The concepts of showing understanding and knowledge need, however, to be managed within the real concrete world in which educators and students live. Collaboration, consultation, access and use of resources, and completing assessment tasks is an educationally important aspect of student development and educator service provision. This study describes the various types of writing services offered to students and the ethical implications for educators, staff, students, and support services.

Educators must consider the complexities of the academic ecosystem when evaluating work and managing expectations, and in some instances, involving and engaging a student in the decision-making process regarding services and support. Making clear distinctions means that students are aware of the risks and support available. When invited or welcomed into current conversations, thrilling opportunities for creative and collaborative activities can be seeded and grown in academia, some of which could not have been contemplated before. By knowing and understanding the entire context, educators and students can build on the unique aspects of academic development, rather than relegating and submitting only the final expression of learning.