Tyler Austin Harper's The Real Harvard Scandal

In the article “The Real Harvard Scandal” Tyler Austin Harper uses the divisive reaction towards Claudine Gay’s resignation as a tool to discuss how politics have taken precedence over standards in academia. Harper is an environmental studies professor, which is why he is so passionate about the ethics and discourse of plagiarism. His stance on the matter is not accusatory in nature, it is more of an attempt to objectively connect the recent scandal to an overarching message. Harper starts by highlighting the political nature of how her accusations began. Then proceeds to show how her supporters are ignoring her guilt to maintain their political standing. Harper does this to expose the shallowness seen in elite academia, showing the reader that the facts are

Harper says, “resorted to Orwellian doublespeak.to insist that lifting entire paragraphs.isn’t plagiarism” (The Real” 2-3). The logical loops the defense of Gay goes through are intentionally displayed in the forefront by Harper. He does this to make the defense of Gay appear completely illogical and ridiculous to the reader. Also, his placement of this being on the second page prepares the reader for when he gives specific examples of Gay’s defense, to be expected of illogical stances. Towards the middle of the article he says, “it is perfectly possible to maintain that Gay shouldn’t have been fired while also conceding that she’s guilty of serial” (“The Real” 5). This shows the reader that Gay’s defense was so determined on not giving an inch, they lost a mile. If the Gay’s guilt had been conceded they could have progressed further, but denying only inflames the opposition on seeing the downfall of Gay. Harper does this to show the stubbornness and lack of foresight shown in the case of Gay’s defense. Towards the end of the article he says, “Using watery euphemisms to refer to blatant plagiarism debases our profession.” (“The Real”