In recent years, discussions on plagiarism and essay mills have led to debates about the legitimacy of proofreading. Some consider it cheating, while others think it is an essential tool for editing academic papers.

Starting with the legal foundation, while overt plagiarism can lead to expulsion, proofreading is allowed and encouraged. Most universities will have similar proofreading guidelines.

A high-quality proofreader can significantly impact a grade, particularly for post-graduate researchers. Their suggestions and notes can make a difference if carefully followed, and the writer should be willing to put in the extra work. It’s important to emphasize that an objective proofreader will not write the essay for you or make extensive revisions to improve it. Proofreading involves identifying errors in the text, such as spelling mistakes, repeated phrases, and unclear points, and returning the text to the writer for further improvements.

The overlap of proofreading and plagiarism can create a problematic situation. It’s easy to find companies on Google willing to write entire documents for a fee or to rewrite and develop content while claiming to be proofreading or editing. They might describe this as providing an “example” or “model piece,” but both parties understand that the transaction is unethical.

Organizations are still pursuing this strategy despite the outlawing of essay mills last year. Progress in tackling cheating has been limited, but changes are on the horizon.

As you prepare to tackle your upcoming dissertation or thesis, it’s essential to consider the best approach carefully. While the temptation to plagiarize may be strong, it’s necessary to remember that the risks are significant. Consequences for academic dishonesty can range from receiving a lower grade to expulsion in severe or repeated cases.

The concept of a conscience is a fascinating human emotional trait. While explaining the risks of plagiarism is simple, the moral implications are much more complex. Unfortunately, there’s been an increase in academic plagiarism despite the natural tendency to frown upon cheating. This rise can be attributed to various factors, none justifiable. For most of us, cheating always leaves an unpleasant feeling in our stomachs, no matter how hard we try to push it out of our minds.
What’s the alternative? Spending hours on painful, mind-numbing writing to produce something you can call your own? Enduring weeks of stress and sleepless nights as you go back and forth over various ideas and theories? Yes, to all of the above. Writing a thesis, dissertation, or PhD will never be a seamless process you look back upon with unfettered nostalgia. It’s a challenging, demanding, colossal task requiring your entire being. However, once completed and submitted, it’s an achievement you’ll never forget.

You’re not alone. Our editors can help with undergraduate work, thesis, dissertation, or PhD editing. We offer proofreading and editing services for grammatical structure, flow of ideas, and more. These services are accepted and encouraged by universities.