With vigorous coursework and numerous extracurricular activities, many students in high school and college find that when it comes to novels and plays assigned in English class, there is little time or energy left to read through them completely.

Many find it easier to simply look up websites such as Sparknotes, Cliffnotes, Gradesaver and overall, to read a quick summary of the novel to get the gist of what the story is about and get a decent grade on a test without much effort.

Though perusing through a summary of a work may seem to be the most beneficial way of tackling homework in English class, it proves to be detrimental to the student’s overall literacy in reading and writing. Many who choose to use sites such as Sparknotes often do not stop to question the purpose behind the assigning of novels.

Reading classical novels is used as a tool to expand one's vocabulary and critical thinking while improving writing skills. By reading assigned literature, students are exposed to works and writing styles that, if studied carefully, can be used to shape one’s communication skills in speech. Classical novels and plays prove to be great sources through which one can increase vocabulary and increase expression if different and interesting ways.

Simply reading summaries does not give one the opportunity to be exposed to different situations, lifestyles and cultures outside of one’s own life. Reading literature allows one to grow a sense of imagination and communication with the rest of the world.

By not making the effort to take hold of this great opportunity, one misses out on the chance to be transported from ordinary life to a world much more interesting that not only cultivates one’s ability to communicate through writing, but opens one’s mind to the outside world as well.