Some freelance writers do academic writing. In some quarters, academic writing has become synonymous with helping students with their exams or assignments. But is academic writing about cheating in exams or assignments?
There is a
difference between academic writing and academic cheating. Let’s dig in to
find out the difference.
Academic Writing
What is academic writing?
Academic
writing is a structured and systematic approach to presenting research, ideas,
and arguments in a way that is clear, well-organized, and supported by
evidence. It is a means of contributing to the body of knowledge in various
fields of study.
Is academic writing a crime or unethical?
Academic
writing is not inherently a crime or immoral. In fact, it is an essential part
of the educational process and the dissemination of knowledge.
Academic
writing is typically subject to ethical and academic integrity standards, which
require authors to acknowledge the sources of their information and ideas through
proper citation and referencing. Plagiarism, which involves presenting someone
else’s work as one’s own, is considered unethical and a breach of academic
integrity.
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| Is academic writing bad? |
The perception
of academic writing as a “crime” or “immoral” may be due to
misunderstandings or misconceptions, or it could be a result of negative
experiences with plagiarism or academic misconduct. It’s important to
distinguish between unethical actions related to academic writing (such as
plagiarism or cheating) and the legitimate practice of scholarly research and
writing, which is the foundation of the academic community.
In summary,
academic writing itself is not a crime or immoral; it is a valuable and
respected part of the theoretical and intellectual world. However, unethical
practices related to academic writing can be considered wrong or immoral, and
institutions have mechanisms in place to address such issues to maintain the
integrity of the educational process.
Therefore, it
is okay for freelance writers to do academic writing. It depends on whom the essay, report, script, etc., is for. A
lecturer, doctor, lawyer, or some similar client can ask a freelance writer to
write an academic paper on a given topic. I have done such writing.
Academic Cheating
What is academic cheating?
Academic
cheating is doing assignments and exams for students. It’s generally considered
immoral and illegal for several reasons:
1.
Academic Integrity
Education is
built on the principles of honesty, integrity, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Cheating undermines these principles by misrepresenting a student’s abilities
and achievements.
2.
Unfair Advantage
When some
students cheat, they gain an unfair advantage over their peers who have worked
hard to complete assignments and exams honestly. This can create an uneven
playing field and undermine the value of education.
3.
Devaluation of Credentials
If students
can easily cheat their way through their academic studies, it can devalue the
credibility of the educational institution and the qualifications of its
graduates. Employers and society at large rely on the assumption that academic
degrees reflect a certain level of knowledge and skills.
4.
Loss of Learning Opportunities
Cheating
prevents students from acquiring the knowledge and skills they need to succeed
in their future careers. It robs them of the opportunity to learn and develop
critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Why would a student concentrate
in class knowing fully well they will still pass the exams even if they sleep
through the lessons?
There’s no motivation to work hard in class.
5.
Ethical Development
Education is
not only about acquiring knowledge but also about developing ethical values and
a strong moral compass. Cheating undermines a student’s moral and ethical
development. They take it for granted that it is Okay to cheat your way to
success.
6.
Legal Consequences
In many cases,
assisting students in cheating or fraudulently obtaining academic
qualifications can be illegal. Laws and regulations differ from place to place,
but there can be legal consequences for both the students and those who aid
them in cheating.
7.
Undermining Trust
Cheating can
erode trust between students, educators, and educational institutions. It can
create an atmosphere of suspicion and cynicism, making it harder for honest
students to thrive.
8.
Long-Term Consequences
Students who
cheat might face long-term consequences when they enter the workforce. They may
lack the skills and knowledge necessary to perform well in their chosen
professions. A doctor who cheated in exams is
essentially incompetent.
It’s important
to note that specific laws and regulations related to cheating and fraud in
education may vary depending on the country or educational institution.
However, cheating is widely regarded as unethical and detrimental to both the
individual and society as a whole. It is encouraged for educators, parents, and
students to promote academic integrity and discourage cheating in all its
forms.
So, what’s the difference between academic writing and academic cheating?
Academic writing is a structured and systematic approach to presenting research, ideas, and arguments in a way that is clear, well-organized, and supported by evidence. On the other hand, academic cheating is a form of academic writing involving doing an exam or assignment for students.
Freelance
writers must never be part of academic cheating, no matter the financial
benefits. I know it’s tempting, but life shouldn’t be all about making money.
Freelance writers must never be the reason the world has incompetent surgeons
or pilots who put other people’s lives at risk.