by Jered Slusher

Created on: August 20, 2008

Even though the majority of online college term papers are marketed for plagiarism and are obvious scams, some online term papers are useful. For instance, access to example papers for commonly assigned college essays can be helpful for students to learn about what makes effective writing. As long as the papers are being used to study from, the papers can be very beneficial.

When I was first starting out as a college student, I took an introductory English composition course. Because I wasn't prepared for the rigorous demands of college writing, I turned to the internet to help clarify certain assignments. Many writing sites offer tips for success in college writing and provide helpful examples for those willing to learn. Some of my professors have even posted example papers online, and they can be very useful for students unsure of what the professor is looking for.

The problem comes when students buy online college term papers and then turn them in as their own work. This is known as plagiarism, and is a serious violation that gets college students failing grades and even expulsion. In the western world, the concept of "intellectual property" reigns supreme, and it is essential that the proper sources are credited for their intellectual work.

College is about expanding as an individual, thinking about the world differently, and growing to achieve goals and fulfill dreams. Buying a college term paper online goes against what college is about because it does not encourage individual growth, rather a shortcut to "making the grade." Some students get so caught up in trying to save their GPA that they are willing to make the grade at any cost. Some students are so stressed and down to the last minute that they need something to turn in, and one of their options is purchasing someone else's term paper.

In fact, Plagiarism.org claims that "75% of college students admitted cheating" and that "almost 85% of college students said cheating was necessary to get ahead." Professors and administrators should heed these numbers closely and ask themselves "Are the majority of students academically dishonest or is something in the educational system's structure encouraging this kind of behavior?"

Of course, the argument of a failed educational system is no excuse for plagiarism, but it's important to discuss the reasoning behind why the online college term paper business is so popular.

My advice to any college student who is thinking about buying an online term paper: don't. For one, many of the online college term papers for sale are scams. The majority of the essays a poorly written and do not fit the assignment anyways. Plus, students should be proud of academic honesty and that they can overcome challenges without taking shortcuts. Professors are employed to educate, and should be utilized by students to help the student's writing skills. Many colleges and universities offer writing centers where students can come and receive help from qualified individuals at all steps of the writing process. And if the professors are inapproachable and the college doesn't offer a useful writing center, perhaps it's time to re-examine if this college has the tools to help the students better themselves to accomplish their dreams.

I agree that the majority of the paid sites are a scam and that buying term papers with the intent to plagiarize is very wrong, but to say all online college term papers are a scam is ignorant and false. Some online term papers are very good models for students to learn from and emulate. Those students that are truly interested in learning about writing and improving their skills as a writer will find that studying free term papers available online can be useful.

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