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Re: Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai Send a noteboard - 06/10/2010 01:40:38 AM
Are you missing something? Yes. What makes it literature. The reason why it is good. Cliff's Notes are like ... powder soup. It is not soup. It is just a powdery, boring extract of soup and it lacks the soupness of it.

I agree 100%

Let me state that I did not rely on Cliff for every single reading project. Just the few that I found unappealing. I'm a slacker, but I do like to read certain things! I meant more about missing something that might make Austen / Bronte more appealing to me.

Oh, sorry if I sounded judgmental. I just meant that Cliff's notes gives you the highlights and someone's interpretation of the meaning, but you don't see how it actually makes you feel. And I've not read Austen or Bronte, so I can't tell you specifically what you miss there.

For some inexplicable reason in my AP English class my teacher said we were going to study Paradise Lost by the Cliff's notes. It was supposed to prepare us for college, but from reading the notes you completely miss the beauty of the piece you are studying.

This is weird. That it was mandated by the teacher. My AP teacher knew I was doing it on a few (and definitely did not approve). I very much enjoyed Paradise Lost, sans Cliff's notes.

I thought it was weird too, but then again that teacher and I never really saw eye to eye on much.

Now, I appreciate the sidebars in works like Shakespeare that let you know how a word may be used differently in the play than it is now, but that's all the help I want with my literature.

This is a helpful aspect of Cliff on more difficult reading. I never used him in this capacity. Outside of avoiding certain assignments, I left Cliff on the shelf.

Edit: Apparently I'm not reading very carefully today, this response actually addresses what you said, not what I thought I read.
This message last edited by Seriana Sedai on 06/10/2010 at 02:16:51 AM
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The Classics - general discussion / survey StormCrow - 30/09/2010 03:52:53 PM 1773 Views
My own answers. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 04:38:33 PM 1377 Views
I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment Lordling - 30/09/2010 07:20:02 PM 1277 Views
Re: I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:14:23 PM 1283 Views
Get a copy with annotations! Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:56:12 PM 1212 Views
Re: My own answers. Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:02:08 PM 1412 Views
Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:23:51 PM 1393 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:06 PM 1627 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 10:07:20 PM 1335 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:10:32 PM 1464 Views
Well, have you seen any of the Austen TV/movie adaptations, then? Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:25:58 PM 1312 Views
Oh yes. I even made the mistake of purchasing the new Pride and Prejudice for her. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:10:05 AM 1365 Views
They are much, much worse than powder soup. Legolas - 30/09/2010 09:50:07 PM 1206 Views
Well, since they're made of paper... StormCrow - 30/09/2010 10:09:41 PM 1287 Views
Re: My own answers. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:35:36 PM 1350 Views
Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 05/10/2010 08:05:56 PM 1405 Views
Re: Cliff's notes StormCrow - 05/10/2010 09:21:06 PM 1571 Views
Re: Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 06/10/2010 01:40:38 AM 1406 Views
It's cool. StormCrow - 06/10/2010 04:42:13 PM 1462 Views
A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 05:33:35 PM 1337 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 06:46:02 PM 1352 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 10:57:23 PM 1429 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:39:16 PM 1196 Views
Camilla, that's just because you're an atheist. Tom - 01/10/2010 09:37:34 PM 1227 Views
Yes. Camilla - 01/10/2010 09:51:32 PM 1218 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:20:51 AM 1416 Views
I really need to read Kundera. I've heard nothing but praise for Unbearable Lightness. *NM* Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 08:46:18 PM 730 Views
I could post you over a copy to borrow. Rebekah - 30/09/2010 08:58:08 PM 1154 Views
That is very kind, but I have far too much to do to read non-school books, unfortunately. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:53:23 PM 1219 Views
It is good. *NM* Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:47 PM 563 Views
Haven't read any other Kundera, but yes, that one is very enjoyable. *NM* Legolas - 30/09/2010 09:50:30 PM 706 Views
I found his other books to be pale copies of The Unbearable Lightness of Being. *NM* Tom - 30/09/2010 10:51:55 PM 748 Views
totally problematic classics temeraire - 30/09/2010 08:07:22 PM 1347 Views
Re: totally problematic classics StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:26:46 PM 1233 Views
I study them, apparently. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 08:44:40 PM 1420 Views
I wish I could do that. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:49:57 PM 1350 Views
Less fun than you'd think. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM 1188 Views
More admiration of your discipline than assuming you were having fun with it. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM 1328 Views
Re: The Classics - general discussion / survey .. edited. Camilla - 30/09/2010 08:58:14 PM 1440 Views
I knew you would have a rather lengthy list. I was worried until the edit came through. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:26:34 AM 1428 Views
Good survey. Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM 1429 Views
Agreed. edited Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:37:48 PM 1367 Views
But but but Milton is beautiful Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM 1272 Views
Sometimes. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:47:28 PM 1372 Views
Maybe I was unclear. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:55:22 PM 1307 Views
Re: Maybe I was unclear. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:57:41 PM 1178 Views
I'm glad you approve on the whole. Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM 1391 Views
I generally do. Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:19:05 PM 1308 Views
Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM 1469 Views
Re: Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM 1366 Views
Dickens StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:42:42 PM 1293 Views
Re: I generally do. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:54:11 PM 1366 Views
Oh, and link to the Flecker poem: Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:42:30 PM 1198 Views
Re: Good survey. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:52:27 AM 1499 Views
My classics nossy - 30/09/2010 10:54:56 PM 1278 Views
Re: My classics StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:01:24 AM 1359 Views
Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:30:41 PM 1444 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:18:58 AM 1294 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 01/10/2010 05:20:10 AM 1359 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:05:35 PM 1338 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 02/10/2010 04:07:10 AM 1316 Views
Ha, we weren't that far off after all. StormCrow - 04/10/2010 08:11:39 PM 1222 Views
I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Larry - 01/10/2010 12:36:17 AM 1442 Views
O'Connor is wonderful. But I am not sure many can appreciate her. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 02:50:54 AM 1118 Views
I agree, thus the "confound" part in there Larry - 01/10/2010 02:53:26 AM 1164 Views
I figured as much. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 03:08:26 AM 1186 Views
I expected you to have quite a few as well. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:25:06 AM 1281 Views
Re: I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Novo - 02/10/2010 11:23:37 AM 1344 Views
Criminy, I thought I was done with essay questions years ago. Mndrew - 01/10/2010 01:39:56 AM 1324 Views
Glad to bring back the school days. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 01:49:48 PM 1354 Views
Re: Glad to bring back the school days. Mndrew - 02/10/2010 05:32:47 AM 1149 Views
not sure but I don't believe in instant classics random thoughts - 02/10/2010 05:22:07 AM 1354 Views
the bf and I are going to do a "Paradise Lost" book club... ajah - 02/10/2010 08:29:38 AM 1464 Views
Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. Rebekah - 02/10/2010 11:40:48 AM 1353 Views
Re: Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. ajah - 02/10/2010 09:42:37 PM 1313 Views
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