SparkNotes, originally part of a website called The Spark, is a company started by Sam Yagan, Max Krohn, and Chris Coyne in 1999 that provides free in-depth commentary, analysis and study guides for literature, poetry, history, film and philosophy. SparkNotes also offers content and services related to the SAT, ACT, and AP tests, paraphrases of Shakespeare into modern English, exercises for high school teachers, and a message board. Its current owner, Barnes & Noble, sells printed versions of the study guides in the United States in a format similar to that of CliffsNotes. Image File history File links Sparknotes1. ... The Spark (or TheSpark. ... Chris Coyne is an Australian footballer currently playing for Luton Town football club. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... The SAT is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States. ... The ACT, formerly the ACT Assessment, is a college-entrance achievement test produced by ACT, Inc. ... The Advanced Placement Program, commonly known as Advanced Placement, or AP, is a United States and Canada-based program that offers high school students the opportunity to receive university credit for their work during high school, as well as a standard measure of achievement in a particular course. ... Shakespeare redirects here. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A typical Barnes & Noble bookstore. ... CliffsNotes for Romeo and Juliet CliffsNotes (often, incorrectly, CliffNotes) are a series of student study guides available primarily in the United States. ...

Sparknotes webpage screenshot

SparkNotes has moved into educational publishing with books like Poetry Classics and FlashKids, a series of educational books for K-8 students. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 601 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (1001 × 998 pixel, file size: 267 KB, MIME type: image/png)Image of sparknotes. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 601 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (1001 × 998 pixel, file size: 267 KB, MIME type: image/png)Image of sparknotes. ...

Controversy

Teachers often accuse students using SparkNotes of cheating. They feel that the website indirectly encourages students not to read the class material, making essential information easily accessible.^{[citation needed]} SparkNotes itself does not condone using its guides without reading the material. The guides are comprehensive enough that students can write essays or take tests without having read the books. This website and others like it, such as CliffsNotes, have been banned in many schools where they are considered a form of cheating. CliffsNotes for Romeo and Juliet CliffsNotes (often, incorrectly, CliffNotes) are a series of student study guides available primarily in the United States. ...

See also

• CliffsNotes

CliffsNotes for Romeo and Juliet CliffsNotes (often, incorrectly, CliffNotes) are a series of student study guides available primarily in the United States. ...

External links

• SparkNotes.com
• A Brief History of SparkNotes
• FlashKids imprint