2008 Woodie Awards
Rent-a-Writer "Ghosts" for Students
Students don't have to lift a finger with this service, but some consider it unethical.
Susan Maltby
Issue date: 11/17/04 Section: News
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If you're not afraid of ghosts but just afraid of failing English class, help is available.There are a variety of flyers posted around campus advertising Rent-a-Writer ghostwriting service for students who are willing to hand over cold, hard cashto buy a custom made grade A term paper, essay or thesis.
"I'll offer services above and beyond what students need for basic class assignments," said Jim Barmeier of Rent-a-Writer.
Barmeier, 50, is a private, professional writer who isn't affiliated with Valley College. He markets himself as a master's graduate from Stanford University and member of the Writer's Guild.
"I can offer services that may be missing from campus tutoring or the classroom," Barmeier said. Rates vary, starting at $25 per hour for his services, depending on the clients' needs.
"There are two kinds of students who call me," said Barmeier. "Those who plan ahead and those who wait until the last minute. In the past I've been willing to pull all-nighters, but if you call me too late, you'll probably get my answering machine."Barmeier encourages students to do their own research and thinking for their assignment. If a student wants to buy a complete, pre-written essay, they'll have to buy one on the Internet, according to Barmeier.
"There's a dividing line between helping and actually writing," said Barmeier. "That's where I draw the line."The downside to Barmeier's service and others like it is that students may be breaking district and college rules and regulations that prohibit plagiarism and fraud."Hiring someone else to write your paper for you is called 'ghostwriting' or 'plagiarism,' said Writing Center Tutor Coordinator Scott Weigand. "If you get caught, you could fail the assignment, fail the class and face academic probation."
Valley's writing center offers students a legal way to better grades. According to Valley's office of research and planning, students who attend tutoring sessions in the writing lab manage to raise their grades by an average of 10 percent. That can mean the difference between an A and a B.
"I'll offer services above and beyond what students need for basic class assignments," said Jim Barmeier of Rent-a-Writer.
Barmeier, 50, is a private, professional writer who isn't affiliated with Valley College. He markets himself as a master's graduate from Stanford University and member of the Writer's Guild.
"I can offer services that may be missing from campus tutoring or the classroom," Barmeier said. Rates vary, starting at $25 per hour for his services, depending on the clients' needs.
"There are two kinds of students who call me," said Barmeier. "Those who plan ahead and those who wait until the last minute. In the past I've been willing to pull all-nighters, but if you call me too late, you'll probably get my answering machine."Barmeier encourages students to do their own research and thinking for their assignment. If a student wants to buy a complete, pre-written essay, they'll have to buy one on the Internet, according to Barmeier.
"There's a dividing line between helping and actually writing," said Barmeier. "That's where I draw the line."The downside to Barmeier's service and others like it is that students may be breaking district and college rules and regulations that prohibit plagiarism and fraud."Hiring someone else to write your paper for you is called 'ghostwriting' or 'plagiarism,' said Writing Center Tutor Coordinator Scott Weigand. "If you get caught, you could fail the assignment, fail the class and face academic probation."
Valley's writing center offers students a legal way to better grades. According to Valley's office of research and planning, students who attend tutoring sessions in the writing lab manage to raise their grades by an average of 10 percent. That can mean the difference between an A and a B.
