Quick Check: Cliffnotes vs Sparknotes?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>It's simple, I'm one of those "Not-read-the-book-but-use-one-of-those-notes-websites-to-get-my-reading-done" people. This year I haven't actually read a book (other than 1984 because I had to purchase it with my own money so if I don't read it it'd be a waste) and used a mixture of spark/cliff notes.</p>

<p>I really don't see much big differences between the two; both have helped me but for knowing the plot I find cliffnotes to be a bit more helpful.</p>

<p>What are your opinions? Do you like cliffnotes better or sparknotes? Which is more helpful? What do you use? ...And the like.</p>

<p>Discuss.</p>

2

<p>I usually read the books, but I hear from friends that bookrags.com is a good alternative to sparknotes.com for some books.</p>

3

<p>I read the book, and then back it up with a summary on sparknotes.</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
I usually read the books, but I hear from friends that bookrags.com is a good alternative to sparknotes.com for some books.

[/quote]

Way to be totally relevant to the thread, Poseur. ;)</p>

<p>But honestly...I'll check "bookrages" out.</p>

5

<p>^^ Lol, I do the opposite. I read cliffnotes, then read the book, then read sparknotes to refresh. :)</p>

6

<p>I never use cliffnotes. I only use sparknotes after or during reading the book or unless it is something incredibly boring. Cliffnotes any good?</p>

7

<p>Sparknotes helped me get through AP Lit. I pretty much used it for all of the books we read (I used Sparknotes either during or after reading the actual book, though if the book were really difficult to read, I'd use it before to help guide me along the way.)</p>

<p>Sparknotes goes wayyyy more in depth than Cliff Notes. The only time I thought that Sparknotes did a really poor job with their notes was with The Metamorphosis (it's way too short.)</p>

8

<p>Yeah, I like SparkNotes way more than Cliff Notes.</p>

9

<p>It really depends on what I need. Usually, a critical essay on Cliffsnotes is exactly what I need. Also, the Cliffsnotes glossaries are great for vocabulary assignments. I don't have to reread the chapter and nitpick words.</p>

10

<p>rmadden15: Reading CliffsNotes before reading the actual book? How could you want to read an entire book after knowing exactly what will happen and how it will end? Wouldn't work out for me...</p>

11

<p>Unlike all of you, I actually read the book to learn how to read. :)</p>

<p>I use bookrags and sparknotes to clarify stuff and review before tests.</p>

12

<p>lol my strategy is a little bit different. i usually read the first chapter or two of the actual book, get angry at how boring it is then use sparknotes for the rest.</p>

13

<p>BrightRed: You read books to learn how to read? If you can read the book, then you must already know how to read. Now there's a paradox...</p>

14

<p>
[quote]
I use bookrags and sparknotes to clarify stuff and review before tests.

[/quote]

Apparently reading the books to learn how to read isn't working for you because I clearly said the exact same thing; thus, "all of you" isn't correct.</p>

<p>:D</p>

15

<p>I read the book and then sparknotes.</p>

16

<p>@zenythz
Ehhh shakespeare stuff are hard to read.</p>

17

<p>I might use sparknotes as I go along with a difficult book. Otherwise, I'd just read it at the end to refresh. In my experience, sparknotes > cliffsnotes.</p>