While plagiarism is often associated with copy-paste behavior and easily caught by software, contract cheating—the practice of outsourcing academic work to others—is much harder to detect and much more dangerous.
When students submit work written by someone else, they bypass the entire process of thinking, learning, and applying knowledge. This doesn’t just undermine their academic development—it also calls into question the validity of grades, degrees, and the education system itself.
Yet despite the seriousness of the issue, many educators feel unprepared to recognize contract cheating. This form of dishonesty is subtle. The work often passes plagiarism detection. It looks clean. Original. Well-written. And that’s exactly the point.
So, how do we detect ghostwriting without suspicion or unfair accusations? The answer lies in contextual awareness, assessment design, student relationships, and knowing what to look for.
What Is Contract Cheating, and Why Is It So Prevalent?
Contract cheating is not new. For years, students have paid others to complete essays, take exams, or even write entire theses. But in recent years, this practice has exploded — thanks to:
- Online “essay mills” and content farms that operate openly or via encrypted platforms.
- Freelance marketplaces where academic ghostwriters advertise services affordably.
- AI writing tools, like ChatGPT, provide free or low-cost essay generation.
- Social media channels, like Reddit or Telegram, where cheating services directly target students.
The anonymity of online learning environments, especially during and after the COVID-19 shift, has only worsened this trend. Students often feel disconnected, unsupported, and pressured, leading them to believe that outsourcing is the only solution.
Why Ghostwriting Is Harder to Detect Than Plagiarism
Unlike plagiarism, which involves copying someone else’s published text, ghostwritten work is original in form but not in authorship. That means plagiarism detection software, like Turnitin or PlagScan, often shows 0% similarity.
But that doesn’t mean the work is honest. It just means it wasn’t copy-pasted.
Because of this, educators must rely on other indicators — often subtle, sometimes subjective — to spot the discrepancy between a student’s voice and their submitted work.
But detection doesn’t mean guesswork. Over time, educators learn to recognize patterns, inconsistencies, and behaviors that raise reasonable concern — and this is where the real work begins.
Red Flags That Suggest Ghostwriting
Spotting contract cheating is never about one clue — it’s about a pattern of inconsistencies. A student who suddenly produces high-level writing after submitting weak drafts. A paper that includes sources or terminology far beyond the scope of the course. An essay that’s beautifully written, but curiously disconnected from any personal engagement.
Let’s take a closer look at the most common signs.
Sudden Improvement Without Explanation
We all want students to improve, but academic development usually happens gradually. If a student consistently struggles with clarity, structure, or English grammar and then suddenly submits a near-publishable essay, it may not be their work.
This is especially true when the change happens without process evidence: no drafts, no requests for help, no class participation.
A Voice That Doesn’t Match
Writing is like a fingerprint. Students have patterns in expressing themselves — vocabulary, sentence rhythm, and phrasing. When that voice suddenly changes — becomes overly formal, abstract, or mechanical — it often signals external authorship.
This is particularly clear when the student has submitted informal writing in emails, forums, or past assignments—the difference is stark.
Lack of Process or Engagement
Ghostwriting often skips the messiness of real student work. There are no comments, edits, or peer reviews. When asked to explain their sources or thinking, the students hesitate or give vague answers.
This isn’t proof — but it’s a sign. Real students can usually tell you why they wrote something, even if imperfectly.
Going Beyond the Red Flags: Investigative Approaches
While a red flag might spark suspicion, fair and constructive detection requires more.
Educators need methods that respect due process, support student dignity, and lead to truth, not assumption.
Writing Sample Comparison
If you’ve taught a student before or collected earlier drafts, compare them directly. Look for consistency in tone, grammar, and logic flow. Is this writing plausibly theirs?
Ask for Process Materials
When students submit polished work without context, ask for outlines, notes, drafts, or a quick breakdown of how they approached the task. Many contract cheaters can’t fake the process — they can only provide the product.
Oral Reflection or Follow-Up
A short recorded video or meeting where the student explains their argument, defends their source choices, or reflects on what they learned can be revealing. You’re not looking for perfect answers — signs that they wrote the paper.
Use Technology (with Caution)
While no tool can prove ghostwriting, AI-detection tools or stylometry analysis (e.g., Turnitin’s authorship metrics, GPTZero, WriteCheck) can highlight irregularities that prompt further inquiry.
Why Assignment Design Matters
The best way to detect ghostwriting is to prevent it from being viable in the first place. Good pedagogy is the strongest antidote to contract cheating.
Design assignments that:
- Are personalized, requiring self-reflection or local context.
- Are scaffolded, with mandatory drafts, feedback loops, and checkpoints.
- Include oral or visual components, such as video summaries or screen-recorded presentations.
- Focus on process and learning, not just end products.
When students know their professor is following their thinking, not just grading the final paper, they are far less likely to outsource their work.
Institutional Support Is Essential
Educators can’t fight ghostwriting alone. Institutions must:
- Provide training on detection, documentation, and response procedures.
- Develop academic integrity policies that address contract cheating specifically.
- Ensure students can access support services (writing centers, tutoring, counseling).
- Foster a culture that prioritizes learning over performance.
| Institutional Strategy | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Academic Integrity Office | Centralizes investigation, provides fairness and consistency in cases |
| Prevention-focused education | Empowers students to avoid ghostwriting by building skills and awareness |
| Clear, accessible reporting channels | Encourages faculty to report concerns with confidence and support |
| Policy on use of AI tools | Clarifies gray areas and promotes transparency about authorship expectations |
Fairness, Not Fear
Detecting contract cheating is about more than spotting dishonesty — it’s about upholding the integrity of learning. It’s not a witch hunt. It’s an act of care.
When we investigate thoughtfully, communicate clearly, and design courses with engagement in mind, we send students a powerful message:
“Your voice matters. Your growth matters. And we are here to support you — not replace you.”
Ultimately, the goal isn’t to catch cheaters. It’s to build a system in which no one feels the need to cheat.