This is an online community and information site, offering study guides and discussion forums on various academic subjects. Literature section includes brief analyses of characters, themes and plots. You can sign up for a free account to get complete access to the site. When signing up, you can choose to receive newsletters and information about SparkNotes sponsors.

A popular feature is “no-fear Shakespeare,” which offers a modern-day translation alongside the original text of about 20 of Shakespeare’s more popular comedies and tragedies. You can choose to buy “Spark Charts,” which are condensed summaries on hundreds of topics that are good for quickly establishing an understanding of basic facts. A popular feature is “Test Prep,” which is a free service that offers diagnostic tests, practice testes, and advice on what to study for the SATs, SATs, and AP tests.

The “Spark Life” page provides tips for all aspects of high school life, from having a good vacation to having a good first kiss. You can take a variety of quizzes, from I.Q. quizzes to the “Vice Principal” test.

The “Spark College” page contains resources for up-and-coming college students, which include condensed basic summaries of popular first-year topics, such as psychology or biology. There is a “Getting In” resource for high school students, which assesses your fit with a number of universities, and offers financial advice, tips on academic success, and video walkthroughs of popular colleges.

SparkNotes attracts a mainly teenaged, relatively affluent audience. College graduates, and post-graduates, also enjoy this site.