Writing for Plagiarists

So, I got this email today (I removed their website, ’cause I’m certainly not advertising for them.), and I’m … having to really have a think about what it means:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to introduce vacancies of “Freelance Writer” at the Student Research Ltd. We are a leading provider of customised essays, reports, dissertations and exam answers to students. Despite recession and ongoing financial crisis we have experienced enormous growth in the last two years and are currently expanding our team of writers to meet additional demand for this academic year.

Once you are selected as a writer, we shall offer you essay writing work from time to time in your areas of expertise. It will be completely up to you if you want to accept a piece of work offered by us or not, thus giving you complete flexibility to take work according to your schedule. However once you have accepted a piece, you would be responsible for the following:

• To complete the piece of work (i.e. an essay, report, dissertation etc.) undertaken by you on or before the agreed deadline and in accordance with the academic standard required (i.e. 1^st Class, 2.1, 2.2).
• To provide completely original work free of any form of plagiarism.
• To complete any reasonable amendments requested by the client on the piece of work you have completed.

At the end of every month, you will be paid for all the work you have completed for that month. Working for us as a writer has the following benefits:

• Earning potential of up to £2000 per month.
• Excellent rates of pay, we normally pay £30-£40 per thousand words. This is based on a standard 2.1 essay. For higher academic standard or other special requirements rates are altered to reflect the changes. Sometimes we may also ask you to provide us a quotation for a particular piece.
• Flexibility: You work from home, manage your own time and can take as much or as little work as you want.
• You get to learn a lot while researching and writing on different topics in you areas of interest, thus increasing your knowledge and actually getting paid for it…!!!
• All writer positions are Self-Employed and you will be responsible for your own tax.

We are a registered company and abide by the UK law and regulations. For more details about the services we provide, please visit our website:

XXXX.co.uk

 

Regards

Maria Thompson

HR

 

Student Research Limited

Registered in England and Wales No: 7013558.

Telephone: XXXX XXX XXX

Email: [email protected]

Web Address: XXXX.co.uk

 

STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY: This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company. Finally, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The company accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.

So, they’re asking me to work for them and to “provide completely original work free of any form of plagiarism.” For sale. To students. For them to submit as their own, original work. All at a rate of £0.03 – £0.04 per word, for writing a high-school essay.

Leaving aside the pay rate, I’m just wondering at the paradox in asking for a plagiarism-free essay which is written for the express purpose of, itself, being the victim of plagiarism. I understand that, yes, this company isn’t committing a crime. But, certainly, their clients intend to do so.