Contents
- Professional essay writing services - avoid at all costs!
- What is a professional essay writing service?
- What is wrong with professional essay writing services?
- Sample essays or ‘free’ examples of work
- Directly translating an essay from a website which is in another language into English
- How do essay writing companies target students?
- Where can I get help with my writing?
- Students who are approached or invited to write essays for a fee
Professional essay writing services – avoid at all costs!
Students who are struggling with their course, or with the English language, may be tempted to make use of essay writing services for their coursework.
However, the reality is that these sites are offering nothing more than ‘contract plagiarism’. Plagiarism is a student conduct offence, which the University of Glasgow takes very seriously. Students who submit plagiarised work can be investigated by the Student Conduct Team, have their grade reduced and could even be prevented from completing their degree.
What is a professional essay writing service?
A professional essay writing service, or ‘essay mill’, is any service which offers to write your essays or assignments for you. They may be pretty straight-forward and openly offer to write your essay for you in exchange for a fee, or they may provide what they call ‘model’ example essays for you to use.
Some other websites are less clear about what they are offering and may claim to be offering proofreading services in exchange for a fee. But sometimes what is described as ‘proofreading’ can itself easily become an essay writing service.
What is wrong with professional essay writing services?
Essay writing websites may look professional, safe and perfectly legitimate. They may make statements like ‘100% plagiarism free’, confidential and quality guaranteed. They may claim to help you ‘eradicate plagiarism’ in a way that is ‘not cheating’.
These sites often seem glossy and very attractive to students. They may claim to advertise their services as cheap and simple to order, using phrases such as ‘clear and transparent’, ‘fair use policy’ and ‘consultation service’.
But don’t be fooled. Buying, using, copying, commissioning, or in any way passing off anybody else’s work as your own is plagiarism, and against the University’s Code of Student Conduct. If you get caught, then the Student Conduct Committee can impose severe sanctions, including expulsion.
Sample essays or ‘free’ examples of work
Some of the professional essay writing service website will show you samples of work under different subject categories. They may include these as a ‘taster’ in order to tempt you to buy. You should be aware that, even if you haven't paid for a copy of an essay, you still can't use this as part of your work. If any part of an essay or exam is not your own work, and you pass it off as your own, that constitutes plagiarism.
Directly translating an essay from a website which is in another language into English
You might find that some sites will offer tailor-made essays in many different languages, but don’t be tempted to take an essay and translate it into English. This is still not your own work, and therefore plagiarism
Be wary of any sites which offers to correct spelling or grammar. Some of these websites are legitimate, and it may be fine to use them to check an occasional word or phrase. But be on the look out for anything suspicious, especially if you feel you are being hooked indirectly into paying for a service.
If you have problems with your writing, you should consult the services already offered by Glasgow University, so speak with your tutor, adviser of studies or consult the University's Student Learning Development team.
How do essay writing companies target students?
Students are targeted directly on social media, by spam emails to their student addresses, and in some instances by being given flyers on and around campus by individuals working for these companies. These companies are never authorised to give out these materials on campus.
The University is aware of a long list of companies offering these services, so if you buy their services you are likely to be caught. It is not worth the risk.
Where can I get help with my writing?
If you are struggling to meet deadlines, the University has a number of support services to help you. You can get subject-specific help, or help with your writing, from teaching staff, your Adviser of Studies, and Student Learning Development Service.
If you are experiencing health or personal challenges outside of University, and are struggling to meet deadlines as a result, then you should check the University’s guidance on submitting Good Cause. Checking your course handbook to find out how you can ask for an extension of time to complete the work is also useful. You may also wish to reiew the University's absence policy.
You are also welcome to speak to an adviser at the SRC Advice Centre to discuss your situation.
Other support services include Disability Service, or Counselling and Psychological Services.
Students who are approached or invited to write essays for a fee
Lastly, there is the other side. Who does all the writing of these essays and assignments for the online companies? The essay mill companies use or exploit professional essay-writers from all around the globe to get them to do the writing.
If you are a senior student, particularly a PhD or Masters level student, you might be approached by professional sites to write essays for other students in return for a fee. No matter how tempting or flattering this is, you should avoid becoming involved. Writing essays for others either for a fee or for free is against the Code of Student Conduct.
In addition, there have been many reports of students who were never paid for work they have done for essay mill companies.
Remember – The University strongly discourages the use of proofreading and essay-writing companies by students.
If you see any publicity for commercial essay writing services on University premises, you are encouraged to report it to the Student Conduct Team at the University. You should be extra vigilant when asking for assistance from anyone other than a member of University staff.