Introduction:
Essay writing websites have become quite popular in recent years as more students look for help completing their written assignments. While some see essay writing services as an easy way out, others view them as a necessary tool to complete all of their required coursework while also balancing jobs, families or other priorities. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at essay writing websites, exploring both their benefits and drawbacks while aiming to separate fact from fiction.
What are Essay Writing Websites?
Essay writing websites, also sometimes called essay mills, are online platforms that allow students to submit essays, research papers, thesis papers, dissertations and other written assignments to be completed by third-party writers in exchange for monetary compensation. Generally, the process works as follows:
Students visit an essay writing website, create an account and provide details about the paper they need assistance with including word count, topic, citations required, deadline and sometimes formatting instructions or a sample of their preferred writing style.
The order is then assigned to a pool of freelance writers who bid on completed the work. Writers have profiles listing qualifications, subjects of expertise and ratings from previous clients.
Once a writer is selected, they research and draft the paper, meeting all specifications provided. Some services allow communication between the client and writer for clarification or additional details.
Upon completion, the finished paper is submitted to the client on the agreed upon deadline. Most essay writing sites offer an opportunity for revision if the client is unhappy with aspects of the initial draft.
Payment is collected at the time of order placement or upon confirmation that the client is satisfied with the completed paper. Most sites accept payment through major credit/debit cards or payment processors like PayPal.
The completed paper is then downloaded and submitted by the student as their own work to their school or university.
Benefits of Using Essay Writing Websites
While essay writing services do raise ethical questions, they do offer some potential benefits worth considering:
Convenience – Students can access help from essay writing experts 24/7 from any internet-connected device without needing to physically meet. This is especially useful for those balancing demanding schedules or living overseas from their university.
Variety of Subject-Matter Experts – Companies employ writers with education or professional experience in many different fields. This allows them to assist with papers on a wide range of topics across all academic levels from high school to PhD dissertations.
Relief from Stress/Pressure – Getting assistance from an essay writing service can help alleviate academic pressure, freeing up valuable time for other responsibilities or pursuits. This can improve well-being and focus.
Formatting Expertise – Professional writers are attuned to the various academic formatting styles like APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian and will ensure papers conform to these standards which students sometimes struggle with.
Quality Assurance – Reputable services employ rigorous quality control procedures like qualifications verification of writers, plagiarism checks on completed papers and revision policies to address any concerns with initial drafts.
Potential Drawbacks of Using Essay Writing Websites
While essay writing services aim to provide quality assistance, there are still some issues to be aware of:
Plagiarism Risk – Even with safeguards, there is always a chance a paper submitted could contain some plagiarized content potentially leading to academic penalty if uncovered. Services cannot fully guarantee originality.
Hastiness & Grammar Errors – To turn projects around quickly, some less reputable writers may take shortcuts that result in minor grammatical errors or lacking cohesion and flow at times. Quality can vary.
Lack of Understanding – It can be challenging for writers without direct contact with the client to fully comprehend assignment instructions and gain an in-depth understanding of a professor’s expectations compared to working directly with the student.
Expense – While essay services offer various packages, deadlines and word counts, their help is not a budget-friendly option for many students. Premium quality assistance can be quite costly.
Unethical & Against Policy – Many academics and educational institutions consider using essay writing websites as unethical and a form of academic dishonesty that violates their policies which can result in penalties, even expulsion if caught doing so.
How to Choose a Reputable Essay Writing Service
If a student does decide to take advantage of these services, it’s important to do thorough research to find a reputable company. Here are some key factors experts recommend considering:
Check Reviews & Ratings – Reputable essay writing sites will be transparent, allowing reviews on third-party sites. Look for consistently positive feedback and high ratings.
Confirm Writer Credentials – All writers should have their qualifications, experience and identity verified through official documentation. Degrees/certificates help confirm skills.
Consider Sample Papers – Review example works completed by writers covering a range of subjects and levels to gauge quality standards.
Pricing Transparency – Avoid sites that don’t clearly disclose all potential fees upfront or charge expensive last minute premiums. Estimates help set expectations.
Customer Service Standards – Reputable companies offer responsive, 24/7 assistant through various channels like phone, email, live chats to address any issues.
Turnaround Times – Set realistic deadlines that won’t lead to rushing and request samples completed within standard intervals quoted.
Plagiarism Scans – Choose providers that institutional level plagiarism-detection software on every order before submission to protect students.
Refund Policy – A fair, transparent refund or rewrite process provides an extra layer of protection if issues do arise with completed works.
Website Design/Security – Safe, professional looking sites using SSL encryption and secure payment protocols indicate legitimacy and protection of sensitive user info.
Local Presence – Some top rated sites have physical addresses and local specialists available which confers greater accountability than anonymous overseas operations.
Conclusions
With proper diligence and discernment, using essay writing services can offer students valuable assistance during times of academic pressures or personal circumstances that may inhibit full focus on assignments. It does remain an ethically gray area given policies against plagiarism at most colleges. Ultimately, careful selection of reputable providers and limiting reliance to only unavoidable occasions can help students maximize benefits while minimizing risks if ultimately choosing to utilize this avenue of help. Open communication and honesty with professors is also recommended in borderline situations.
Andrew Stroud