In the article The Term Paper Artist by Nick Mamatas we learn about his career as a person who would write term papers for anyone who was willing to pay. Nick was a freelance writer and was looking for a job but was "told from an early age that such a dream was futile". This is when he found a job that was looking for people to write short pieces on various different topics.
Writing term papers is "above-board and perfectly legal" because of the first amendment. When Nick would receive requests for different types of papers, it became clear that there was 3 different types of clients that needed papers written. "DUMB CLIENTS" are the students who really should of never been accepted into any college.The next are "one-timers" who are the people stuck in a class that is just completely opposite of what they are in school for. The final type of customers are "well-educated professionals who simply lack English-language skills". Nick describes these types of people as the ones who are foreign but need to bring their thoughts through in English.
There were different perks to being a term paper author. The money wasn't exactly the best, but it was easy to come by. Also, writing the papers wasn't about actual research. Nick tells us that writing the papers is about knowing how long the paper needs to be and making the words fit the length. He also got many different laughs at the type of personal instructions he would receive from the customer.
I feel that this type of writing it perfectly acceptable. These writers are employed for this specific reason. When they write the paper, they are not saying that the paper belongs to them and that the customer can only look at it. These papers are being paid for and paper belongs to the person buying it. For example, people who are wealthy have someone they have hired to do their hair. The persons hair is still on that persons head, but there is just someone else styling it for them. This is the same type of thing with the papers. The person is still handing it in for the grade, they just maybe didn't write it themselves.
I agree. I think this type of writing is perfectly acceptable too. Since these papers are being paid for, it belongs to the person who bought it. I like the hair example. It is a good example to represent your opinion. The summary of the article is good. It sums up what is being said without dragging out.
ReplyDeleteI see where you're coming from, and while what he does may be legal, I still don't find it to be ethical. No, he's not clubbing baby seals, but I think it's a little different than having someone do your hair. These are important papers being turned in for grades. With that being said, I did enjoy your article.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Gina. Writing term papers is not only perfectly legal, it is a business. Josh is right. It isn't ethical, and the student is being cheated, but it is a business. And lots of times a business isn't run based upon "morals and ethics", but more of how much money they can profit. In this situation, Mamatas did just that. He made money legally, by helping college students cheat.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you say how this type of writing is perfectly acceptable. I think its 100 percent true. This is a business and every business needs employees. I also like how you compared it to how people hire other people to style their hair. Overall I enjoyed your explication.
ReplyDeleteYour hair-stylist analogy is a real conversation starter.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion: what Mamatas's clients do is less like having their hair done and more like a wearing a wig.