When someone has a question about a book, someone always has the bright idea of sending them to SparkNotes. As a teacher, I think most students already know about all those sites, and they have already been told by their teachers to avoid them (yes, claiming someone else's ideas as your own - even SparksNotes - is plagiarism).
I think the people with questions just want help in understanding the novel, so they can form their own opinions. I’m not even going to address those people who suggest reading a notes service in lieu of reading a book, but I would like to know if the general public really thinks it's a good idea to let the authors of sites like SparkNotes form our understanding of great works of literature.
2006-07-30 14:44:55 · 5 answers · asked by adelinia 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I think it's because most people haven't read the books in question.
Lazy bums!!!!
2006-07-30 14:57:32 · answer #1 · answered by katzchen75 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As a former student, I don't think students should use Sparknotes IN PLACE of the book, but in conjunction with the book I feel it can be helpful. Teachers can usually tell if a student ONLY used sparknotes, but some (sparknotes) type sites break down themes etc. of the book which can be helpful in the overall understanding of a book.
2006-07-30 21:51:23 · answer #2 · answered by Diamonds_4Ever 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I would think asking questions on a site such as this is just as dubious. You've seen some of the answers here. They need to ask their teacher or use sparknotes or talk to their fellow students AFTER they've read the book to really learn it. If there's no avenue in the classroom to get a level of understanding of literature, then there's a problem.
2006-07-30 22:09:11 · answer #3 · answered by MEL T 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I do think it is important to read the piece of literature itself but when you have read it and don't understand it fully, that's when I use the SparkNotes. In my past English classes, we haven't gone over every part in class, I used them to fill the blanks in my mind.
Now, or course there have been times where I have been lazy, not read all of a reading assignment, and used SparkNotes to make sure that I don't fail. :P
2006-07-30 22:00:33 · answer #4 · answered by xgnr4everx 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How is letting a website form our understanding or opinions of a book any different from letting a teacher form our opinions?
2006-07-30 21:50:16 · answer #5 · answered by FireMedic 3 · 5⤊ 2⤋