<p>Sometimes I just read the SparkNotes instead of the actual book. I actually get better grades on essays and tests on books that I only read the SparkNotes for rather than times where I struggle through a long and boring novel. Is it wrong to only read the SparkNotes for a book? I mean I know it's important to read literature, but if I have high A's in English, and low B's in other classes, shouldn't I spend more time on those classes than English?</p>
<p>Um, what's wrong? I personally am a big fan of reading the books...but if you're stuck ("We have a test 9th period on the whole ___??? I THOUGHT THAT WAS DUE in june!!! AHHH!") what can you do...I'd suggest reading the literature when you have time. There are actually some classics that are great, not boring, and not written in olde english, so give some a try :)</p>
<p>I feel real cheap if I only use Cliff/Sparknotes than reading a novel. I always read the novel and check these sites to ensure I absorbed everything. Two of the books that influenced my mind most were assigned by the school. You might be missing out :)</p>
<p>Then there's the fact that almost all of our literature and English teachers usually require students to provide "textual evidence" in almost every quiz and tests, always in essays. Cliff/Sparknotes can't really save you there >_></p>
<p>You should read the book. It was assigned. So what if you're getting a good grade? That just means you have the ability to swallow someone else's insight and project it as your own. You shouldn't take the easy way out here. Your own thoughts and critical analysis skills that you gain from trying to understand the novel on your own are much more valuable. Use sparknotes as a supplement, sure, or as a last resort in a sticky situation, but not all the time.</p>
<p>bre has a lot of reason behind that statement... It's important to read the book, and maybe use Sparknotes as a study guide, but not as a total replacement for reading the book. Besides, reading classics helps you on standardized tests, reading sparknotes does not. ;)</p>
<p>last quarter all i did was read spark notes and ended up failing 3 pop quizzes and got a C on the book test so reading spark notes didn't help me very much</p>
<p>I usually sparknotes occasionally, but I always read the book. I mainly use sparknotes to reinforce basic concepts and then I build off of that with my own thoughts.</p>
<p>Well, we're reading Othello in class; and my teacher actually told us to get on Sparknotes.com so that we could get a better understanding about what was going on in the play.</p>
<p>You need to read. Period. Sparknotes is ONLY a supplement and was never meant to be anything more. The beauty in literature is not in the plot-based summary that Sparknotes gives you, but rather in the writing, language, and style of the author's original piece. You're slighting the author by reading only Sparknotes, and you're slighting yourself as well. Grades aren't the most important thing in the world...but being able to think for yourself is.</p>
<p>about the spark: I used it all the time. See actually, for Dostoyevsky, it's pretty useful...that man writes confusing books (like "Brothers...")it's extremely dfificult to follow his characters because everybody has 100 names and share names. Also, sometimes there are entire chapters on nothing, it feels like he was just trying to fill space...so read parts of book, but sometimes spark will give you the gist of the chapter.</p>
<p>Other than that: don't read the analysis...it's bull, it's just someobdy else's opinon come up with your own.</p>
<p>My English teacher actually recommends sparknotes/cliff notes, but only when they are used in conjunction with reading a book....not standalone.</p>