It is hard to really define Sparknotes. Think of it as a website setup by Harvard "students" for students everywhere to allow them to understand what they should know. The site attempts to help students learn basic skills, study for exams and of course, achieve what they set out. Sparknotes offer numerous study guides on a variety of subjects for free. Students can download and print many of the guides. The guides contain summaries and analysis of the subjects in question. I would generally classify them as education aids which enhance and improve teaching and understanding.