In the article,The Term Paper Artist, a writer named Nick Mamatas talks about what it is like to be a term paper writer. He has had all types of experiences with writing these papers because he has different types of clients and topics to write papers on everyday. Clients come to him through brokers and he says that " most of my clients are not very bright". Nick also goes on to label some of his customers "DUMB CLIENTS" which seems harsh at first but as he explains why he calls him this, it becomes more understandable. There is another group of clients that Nick talks about which are the "well-educated professionals who simply lack English-language skills". He says that these clients are "perhaps the most tragic" because they are intelligent enough to write their own papers but most of the time are just people from different countries that need a better translator.
Nick Mamatas takes what most people hate doing and makes it entertaining for himself. He loves to write and says that writing term papers is also "extremely easy, once you get the hang of it. It's like an old dance routine buried in one's muscle memory." Although some people would find what Nick does to be wrong, he says that he has never felt too bad about it becuase "The students aren't only cheating themselves. They are being cheated by the schools that take tuition and give nothing in exchange." He merely looks at this job as a way to make fast cash and help the less fortunate.
Nick Mamatas does make a few good points about his reasons for writing term papers but he fails to have any sympathy for the people seeking him for help. Don't get me wrong, these students should be writing their own papers for school but some of them just lack the skills to do so. Maybe instead of writing the papers for people, Nick should come up with a way to just guide them through it. He needs to understand that not everyone has a passion for writing like he does and he should just go back to writing his own papers and short stories.
You didn't even ask me to comment, but HERE I AM. BECAUSE I'M A NICE PERSON. Your summary of the article is well done, but probably not as good as mine ( LOL JUST KIDDING ERIN). I agree with you on the point that Nick doesn't have sympathy for the people he's writing for. He doesn't know what their situation in life is. Also, in your last sentence, you totally tell him off LIKE A BOSS. "YEAH NICK, GO BACK TO WRITING YOUR OWN STUFF THAT WON'T EVER GET FAMOUS." Anyway, this is really long. Sooo...how's your day been? Good? Great. Me too. I'll see you in English tomorrow. I'm overjoyed at the thought.
ReplyDeleteWhile we disagree about the validity of his work, I appreciate the direction you took and the way you approached it. It is certainly a talent that takes mastering (writing term papers that is). You make Nick seem like a merciful person when you say he helps "the less fortunate." I would disagree with that and say that he actually hurts those you say he is trying to "help." You do make a good point though where on the comment you left on my page you say how he helps struggling students to get through college, and that is certainly true. At the end of the day though, they are no smarter and they are anywhere from 100-1000+ dollars poorer.
ReplyDeleteI like your suggestion that he tried to help students in other ways, and I completely agree. If he really wanted to help students, there are different ways to go about it.
Good post.