Sparknotes: is this considered dishonorable?

Question

so im starting high school and going into english honors

we have to read a book and then do things like a character analysis

is it considered dishonorable if i use sparknotes.com just to get a list of the characters

Im NOT copying what it says but im using the character list they have on there

so would my teacher think im cheating?

Answer 1

Don't tell them,  when i was a freshman, i use a website just like spark notes,   just make sure to change the words around a little bit,  i have read only 1 book, out of 12 book reports due, and i never got lower than a 85 on one,  and thats because i am a bad paper writer.!!!  And no its not bad, its just making life easier.!!!

Best of Luck!!!

Answer 2

It's only dishonorable if you only use sparknotes and not actually read the book.  Not only is this going to frustrate a teacher, but it really won't help you out much either.   Also, teachers are getting much savvier with online notes like this.  If, say, you write an essay using ideas found on the website, most teachers will catch on and possibly charge you with academic dishonesty.

If all you're using it for is for characters, there is absolutely nothing dishonorable about it.  Just makes your life a little easier, is all.  In this day and age of such a vast amount of knowledge on the internet, it's almost crippling not to use it.

Answer 3

I don't think that it's dishonorable to use sparknotes because you need help. With notes like that for books, it's often used with a lot of students because it helps give you ideas and what not. While in high school, I feel that teachers are use to websites like these but just hope that you expand your creative side and ideas.

Just make sure that you source yourself if you are writing an essay.  

Answer 4

Absolutely not. I'm in English and Creative Writing at university and I've had profs encourage students to look for help in online sources like sparknotes.  

Answer 5

It's not dishonorable at all; I think it is very honest. It shows that you are unable to do the work on your own. If I were a teacher, that's how I'd view it.

Answer 6

not necessarily but you're smart enough to get into the honors english class so just do the work! if you really are just getting a character list than its fine, but why not just read the book and make your own character list? then you won't feel guilty. :)