Saturday 13 February 2010

Accusing essay companies of cheating is sour grapes.

The most vociferous critics come from the very academic establishments who are failing students in the first place.
If it wasn’t for the failing of academic institutions in assisting students with fundamental instruction in how to write a good essay, then there would not be a market for essay writing companies.

Essay writing companies did not create the need; they merely fulfilled a demand that already existed.
In recent times, everyone is aware of the increased demands that are expected of higher academic staff.
These increasing demands mean less time for tutorials and one to one tuition.
Law is a complex subject and writing a competent essay is an art which has to be mastered.

When students are turned away by pressured teaching staff or only offered inadequate assistance in the short time available, then students seek help from essay writing companies. Academic institutions recognising their shortcomings launch into vicious attacks on the companies accusing them of unethical conduct and their student clients are branded cheaters.

The attitude of the academia is unfortunate and unnecessary. Essay companies should not be seen as competitors to higher education establishments.
I recognise that there is insufficient time in each day for lecturers and tutors to undertake all their tasks and have spare capacity for student’s queries on composing essays.
Without this coaching, the lecture and course notes amassed by each student are meaningless.

Students are often daunted when faced with an essay question.
There are different types of essay and coursework; from having to discuss and comment on obiter dicta of a judge to extracting the legal liabilities of several characters in a given scenario. There are severable variables on each of these types of question too. Each one requires a different approach and way of thinking.
Essay companies assist by composing a model answer so that the student can study it and then write their own essay using the same format and methodology. They will learn how to write their own essays with the information given.

The companies have no control over how the student uses the essay and can only point to the terms and conditions on their website. They are not unique in their lack of control.
Car manufacturers have no control over the manner and speed at which their cars are driven.
Sellers of knives have no control if a buyer uses it to stab someone rather than for peeling potatoes. Yet there is no clamour to ban knives or cars. Essay companies should be afforded the same treatment.

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