EduBirdie is an online essay writing service that connects students requiring writing assistance with qualified writers who can complete their projects. While essay writing services can offer a helpful solution, there are also legitimate concerns about their use. As with any service, it is important to consider both the positives and potential issues.
One of the main draws of essay writing services is convenience. Students with tight deadlines or heavy workloads can find relief by outsourcing writing tasks. This allows focusing time and energy on other important areas of study. Services also provide access to assistance at any time of day. With internet-connected devices now ubiquitous, help is only a click away.
Some argue this convenience may undermine the learning process. By completing assignments, writing services deprive students of opportunities to improve their own research, analytical and composition skills. While drafting assistance can be beneficial, outright doing the work denies students valuable lessons. It also removes accountability, as there is no guarantee the student has truly understood the material when they did not author the work themselves.
From an ethics perspective, using writing services raises issues around academic integrity and originality. When a third party writes an entire paper and it is submitted under a student’s name, it constitutes academic dishonesty, as the work is not truly their own. Even when rewriting or heavily editing provided content, questions remain around how much of the final product can be attributed to the student. Plagiarism checks help address this, but legitimate concerns persist.
Practical concerns also exist. While reputable services should produce original content, essays purchased may still be detected as uncannily similar to others in databases. This could lead to accusations of plagiarism against innocent students. Services are also not infallible – errors or poor quality work may pass initial checks, only to be questioned later. This jeopardizes a student’s academic standing. Reliance on outsourcing also prevents gaining skills that will serve students in their future careers.
From the perspective of services, proponents argue they fill a legitimate need and operate legally. By focusing only on outlines and structure, some ensure originality while still providing helpful guidance. With transparent policies and quality assurances, such as revision options, the risk of issues can be mitigated. It is also unreasonable to expect students to be entirely self-sufficient in their studies. Limited assistance on assignments is comparable to using tutoring or study resources.
Services that write full papers undermine academic integrity. While commercial enterprises, their role needs considering from an ethical viewpoint. Over-reliance risks “gaming” the education system and depriving students of learning through their own effort, negatively impacting the value of their qualifications. A balanced perspective understands both student demands and institutional standards are at play.
Overall, whether outsourcing writing is acceptable depends on specific situations and the nature of services involved. Limited guidance that keeps students involved in researching and drafting can be legitimate support. Any third party completion of assessable work breaks conduct codes and risks compromising learning. A responsible perspective considers not only business aspects but the purpose and integrity of post-secondary education overall.
For students, it is always best if outsourcing is an occasional supplement, not replacement for one’s own work. The aim should be self-sufficiency through developing skills with support, not outsourcing entire tasks. Institutions also have a role to balance student needs with academic standards, through sensible policies and managing workload pressures that drive unethical workaround options. With open communication and balanced policy, all sides can fulfill their roles in upholding education.
While writing services are a reality responding to demands, their use needs overseeing to avoid issues. With moderation and an emphasis on developing one’s own abilities, limited outsourcing for assistance can be acceptable. Any third party completion of assessable work undermines standards. A responsible, holistic perspective considers learning goals as well as business aspects to ensure academic integrity remains the priority of post-secondary education. Through cooperation between all stakeholders, a balanced solution can be found.