What universities and colleges can do about third-party
essay writing services
The Balancing Act: Enhancing Writing Skills in the Age of Essay Writing Services
The end of the semester is fast approaching, and students everywhere are feeling the pressure of
impending exams and the completion of final papers. In these high-stress moments, the temptation to
seek the assistance of essay writing services like the one offered by MyPerfectWords.com becomes all
too real. While these services can provide much-needed relief in a pinch, it's essential to remember
that, no matter how skilled the service, nothing can replace the development of robust writing
skills for your essay writer and future career.
In her thought-provoking article, "Why Johnnie can't write, and why employers are mad," Kelley
Holland explores the critical role of writing skills in the success of new Gen X and Gen Y
graduates. The ability to write effectively and professionally is a "threshold skill" that can
significantly impact one's prospects in both job acquisition and advancement.
At AssignmentMasters, a leading essay writing
service in the UK, it's observed that poor time management skills are a leading reason why
students are ill-prepared to tackle real-world challenges in their careers, often resorting to essay
writing services in moments of desperation. Writing isn't just another skill; it's a fundamental
requirement for hiring and promoting professional employees. If your aspirations include securing
your dream job and advancing in your chosen field, your college years are a crucial time to
strengthen your writing and time management skills. Consider those challenging writing assignments
as workouts for your mind – the more you practice, the better you become.
A close friend of mine, an assistant professor at a prominent Michigan university, shared his
struggle with grading student papers. Many students, he noted, lack the basic writing skills needed
to excel at the college level, let alone in the corporate world, which complicates his role as an
educator.
Surprisingly, companies spend billions annually on remedial writing training for their employees.
Despite the importance of writing skills, it's often perceived as a "soft" communication skill and
overshadowed by fields like math. Yet, based on my extensive experience as a corporate writer and
editor, I can attest that writing is anything but trivial. It's a skill that underpins business
success and is pervasive in the corporate culture. Individuals with subpar writing abilities may
glide through their university years, only to face difficulties once they enter the professional
world as employees or entrepreneurs.
To cope with challenges like time management and poor writing skills, some students turn to essay
writing services to outsource their academic tasks. As a
writer, I have mixed feelings about this approach. Developing strong writing skills is an
irreplaceable journey, and your assignments are designed not only to expand your knowledge but to
enhance your writing. Relying on essay writing services to fulfill
course requirements offers a quick fix but doesn't address writing and time management deficiencies.
After graduation, during job interviews, you might be required to complete a writing test. On the
job, you may need to craft documents like white papers, annual reports, or web content. Will you be
able to write with precision, clarity, thoughtfulness, persuasiveness, and organization? Will you
confidently communicate complex ideas to a lay audience? Will you excel in these tasks?
On the other hand, I understand the pressure of looming deadlines and the lack of time to complete
assignments. Full disclosure, I've occasionally assisted students facing these challenges by
ghostwriting their papers on various topics. Is this cheating? Some might argue it is. However,
companies routinely outsource writing, editing, and proofreading services, which is considered a
legitimate practice. But your educational institution may not take the same view.
I'm a strong advocate for building writing skills, but I can't blame students for resorting to
services when meeting a deadline can make the difference between passing or failing a class, or even
graduating. Instructors are aware that students occasionally turn to these services, making it an
open secret on college campuses in the US and UK. In truth, some professors might breathe a sigh of
relief when a student finally submits a well-crafted paper. If you ask any professor about the
writing skills of their students, they will likely express concerns. It's a considerable and complex
problem, and I can't fault students for finding a practical solution when they're under extreme
pressure.
To reiterate, there's no substitute for learning how to write well, but perhaps there's room for a
truce between academia and essay writing services. Here are some new perspectives on how these
services can help students develop their writing and time management skills:
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Optimize Your Campus Resource: Time Management
Utilize your most valuable resource effectively – your time. Hiring a writing service
serves as a lesson in understanding the true value of time and money. Balancing multiple
class deadlines, work commitments, family responsibilities, and more is a learning
experience, and there's no shame in seeking assistance when needed. Prevent last-minute
crises by scheduling your activities at the start of each semester and sticking to your
plan. Use an essay writing service sparingly, as a lifeline for achieving top grades, not as
a habit.
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Learn from Professional Edits
Write your paper, and then send it to a writing service for editing. Professional editing can
provide valuable insights and improvements to your work. If you internalize the corrections
and apply them to your future writing, you'll naturally become a more skilled writer.
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Study and Rewrite
Don't just submit the professionally written essay to your instructor. Read it thoroughly,
then rewrite it in your own voice. Analyze how the paper was structured and organized.
Premium writing services often employ skilled writers and editors, some with academic
backgrounds. You can glean valuable knowledge about the art of writing from these experts.
Since you're investing in the service, make the most of the experience and learn as much as
you can.
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International Students, Embrace the Challenge
International students, even if you are excellent writers in your native language, mastering
writing in English is essential if you're studying in the US, UK, Canada, or Australia.
Language differences may tempt you to use essay writing services, but I encourage you to
strive for mastery. Use the service to edit papers you've written yourself, as this will
help improve your skills.
As you look ahead to the next semester, set a goal to manage your time more efficiently. Avoid
procrastination and understand that quality writing involves rewriting, editing, and proofreading,
all of which take time. The promise is that when you consistently submit high-quality papers and
receive the grades you deserve, your confidence and self-esteem as a writer will soar. You'll also
gain a competitive edge over other recent graduates who haven't developed this crucial skill.
