Resource Guides
In addition to our comprehensive Study Guides and Teaching Guides, SuperSummary offers an ever-expanding library of Resource Guides on an array of reading- and literature-related topics. Designed to support students, teachers, and readers of all interests, these curated resources dive into topics ranging from grammar, vocabulary, and essay writing to book clubs, authors, and literary genres. Each Resource Guide is packed with insights and recommendations from our team of literary experts, making it easy to find the support you need for your assignment, lesson plan, book discussion, or solo reading experience. Explore our full collection of Resource Guides below to discover new ways to deepen your literary journey.
Book Club Resources
Book Club Snacks & Menu Planning – From easy finger foods to literary themed cocktails, the right menu can turn your next book club meeting into an immersive experience. Learn how!
Guide to Reading Group and Book Club Resources – Starting or joining a reading group or book club is a great way to carve out time to read and discuss everything from the latest paperback thrillers to timeless literary classics. And this guide is packed with dozens of resources related to reading groups and book clubs – from how to start or find a local book club to suggestions for your reading list and book discussion tips.
How to Have a Great Book Club Meeting – What makes a book club meeting memorable? Explore ideas for creative discussion-starters, fun games, and new locations to keep things exciting and make for more meaningful discussions.
How to Pick A Book Club Book – Want a great book club meeting with meaningful, engaged discussions? It all starts with picking the best book for your unique group. Learn our tips for choosing book club books that everyone is excited to read.
How to Start a Book Club (That Lasts) – Book clubs are a great way to connect with people who share your love for reading, but many book clubs struggle to get off the ground. Learn how to organize your book club for success and find ideas to keep book club interesting.
SuperSummary Deep Dives
Are Readers More Successful? – Can reading regularly improve your life? With that question in mind, we surveyed more than 1,000 people, finding that readers rank higher in a variety of areas, including general life satisfaction, personal development, and many more. Looking for a justification to carve out some “me-time” with a good book? Look no further – you’ll find it here.
Best Modern Retellings of Classic Literature – Books inspired by classics have surged in popularity, offering fresh perspectives on stories that have stood the test of time. From books based on Greek mythology and Shakespeare adaptations to feminist fairy tales and modern retellings of classic novels, these reimagined narratives breathe new life into familiar plots, making them accessible and relevant to contemporary readers. Uncover why adaptations captivate readers and find your next read!
From Fiction to Film – Written works of fiction have proven to be a great source of material for moviemakers. We polled more than 1,000 people to discover which book-to-screen adaptations were most popular (we’re looking at you, Forest Gump), which movie adaptations that people think would have been better as television series, and much more.
Read-Stricted: A Deep Dive into Banned Books in America – Banning books may seem like something from a different time or place, but the practice is still alive and well right here in the U.S. Every year, parents and others seek to have books excluded from public school libraries for a variety of reasons, ranging from explicit material to themes of magic and witchcraft. In this comprehensive report, we take a deep dive into banned books in America, looking at specific titles that have been challenged, parents’ views on banning books, and much more.
Shelf Awareness – Books can open doors to complex universes, give diverse voices a platform to share life-changing perspectives, and bring to life characters who will shape your worldview forever. No wonder books get readers talking! And more and more readers these days are talking in online communities. We took a deep dive into the popular /r/books subreddit to learn which authors, books, and series get the most airtime, which ones stir up controversy, and which ones are well-loved.
Strong Man; Beautiful Woman – Recent headlines point to sexism in the workplace, at home, and in the world at large. But does sexism also exist in works of literature? To better understand gender bias in the literary world, we analyzed nearly 200 bestselling fiction books. Then, we examined the Corpus of Historical American English and asked: How do these works describe men and women? Which books written by male authors pass the Bechdel Test? And more.
The Couple Who Reads Together, Stays Together – It’s no secret that reading can enrich our lives in a variety of ways. One of those, according to our survey of some 1,000 people, is better romantic relationships. Couples who read report higher relationship satisfaction than their non-reading counterparts, saying that a shared love of reading keeps their relationships exciting and fresh, among other benefits.
The “Best” Best Sellers – There’s nothing quite like the stamp of approval from The New York Times for a book. The New York Times Best Sellers seal denotes more than weekly unit sales success: A book that makes the list has also earned a high number of “diverse sales.” In other words, best sellers garner sales from a variety of sellers, as opposed to a single venue, such as an influencer’s social media account. But does this diversity of sales translate to reader satisfaction? And which best sellers are the best reads? We wanted to find out.
True Crime Obsession – Television shows, films, podcasts, books: No matter the medium, true crime is a popular genre – and it has been for hundreds of years (back in the 15th century, people devoured so-called “murder pamphlets”). To delve deeper into this fascination with true crime, we surveyed 1,000 people and discovered consumers’ favored true crime formats, how they feel about the genre, how they feel about the criminals it covers (more than 10 percent confess being attracted to a criminal), and much more.
Homework and Learning Resources
8 Types of Plagiarism (and How to Avoid Them) – Plagiarism can happen accidentally, intentionally, or somewhere in between. In this article, learn about the different types of plagiarism and how to avoid them in your own writing, as well as how to borrow thoughts from other writers ethically and responsibly.
Academic Citation Resource Guide – In academic writing – any writing, really – properly crediting your sources is crucial to maintaining the integrity of your writing and avoiding plagiarism. And that’s why we put together this Academic Citation Resource Guide. Inside, you’ll find a multitude of citation resources for all of the major academic style manuals, including citation guides, citation generators, citation quizzes, and more.
Antiracist Reads for Everyone – There has been a surge of interest in books on antiracism in the United States. If this is a topic you've been meaning to explore, this reading list is for you. This collection includes gut-wrenching personal memoirs, poetry, classic literature, middle-grade and YA reads, history texts, and nonfiction books that examine how and why racism continues to endure in America. We hope you'll find just the right gateway to broadening your knowledge of this critical issue.
Beginner's Guide to Literary Analysis – Literary analysis is the foundation of high-level English classes—but what, exactly, is literary analysis, and how do you do it? In this article, we'll share how to perform literary analysis on any text, as well as how to write a literary analysis essay (including worksheets for writing your thesis statement and body paragraphs).
Common Themes in Literature – In literature, themes convey a deeper meaning to readers and position the work within a larger context, allowing us to better understand a culture, genre, or the very human experience. Throughout history, poets, authors, and playwrights have leaned on recurring themes to communicate larger messages to their audience. This article identifies these common themes and explores what makes them so popular.
English Homework Help Guide – Looking for a little help with your English homework? We have you covered with this guide. Find information and additional resources for vocabulary, composition, literature and poetry and more for junior high and high school students.
Essay Writing Resource Guide – Need help writing an essay? This guide, with links to more than 40 individual resources, is for you. Look inside for general essay writing resources, essay exam tips, and even essay publishing resources, among others. There also is a section full of essay writing resources for teachers.
Free eBook Download Guide – Inside this guide you’ll find 40 resources for finding free eBooks online. Sections include free eBook download resources, cool eBook apps for your smartphone or tablet, eBook resources for teachers, and many more – including study guide resources to help you analyze and better understand the eBooks you read.
Grammar Education Resource Guide – Looking to improve your grammar skills? If so, you’ve come to the right place. This guide is packed with some 40 resources for strengthening grammar skills, including links to grammar reference materials, grammar study aides, and more. Also included are grammar teaching resources that provide lesson plan ideas and classroom activities for all grades.
Guide to Braille Resources – This guide is full of 40 individual resources for users of Braille, including parents, teachers, and anyone else interested in this tactile reading system developed in the 19th century. Sections include Braille teaching resources, technology resources for people with visual impairments, Braille resources for kids, and more.
Guide to Feminist Literary Theory – According to recent bestseller lists, unreliable female narrators are having a heyday -- such as in popular titles like A.J. Finn’s The Woman in the Window and Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl. Learn how to use established principles of feminist theory (it's easier than you think) to unearth critical power dynamics and real-world issues of gender discrimination, abuse, and harassment in any work of literature.
Guide to Literary Theory and Criticism – Literature is meant to convey meaning, but understanding the message of a novel, play, or poem can take some digging. If you have the right tools, you can gain a deep understanding of the texts you read — and approach literature’s most intimidating topics with confidence. This article presents a host of background information and useful resources.
Guide to Overcoming Dyslexia Resources – Check out 40 helpful resources for people with dyslexia and teachers, parents, and anyone looking to find out more about this common learning disorder. Inside you’ll find sections with resources for understanding dyslexia, dyslexia resources for students, dyslexia resources for teachers, and more.
How to Ask for an Extension – Whether a product of personal circumstances or your own procrastination, there will inevitably come a time in your academic career when you just can't make a deadline. When that happens, asking for an extension is often the best possible solution—but the asking itself can be tricky. This step-by-step guide helps you navigate this kind of communication (including email templates).
How to Improve Your Writing Skills – Good writing skills and grammar help you communicate more effectively with others, inspire creativity in all areas of your life, and help you learn thoroughly and efficiently. If you’re a student (or professional) looking for some easy tips on how to improve writing skills and grammar, look no further. We’ll offer tricks, resources, and exercises to improve any writing skill to help you become a better writer.
How to Not Stress About School – Student stress is on the rise, but developing skillsets for preventing and alleviating stress can help you avoid the repercussions of anxiety—and even get better grades. A licensed clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist provides tips for reducing student stress at home, school, in the halls, and on the playing field.
How to Read Classic Books (and Learn to Love Them) – The best classic books are more than just stories; they are reflections of the societies from which they emerged, providing insight into historical contexts and societal norms while also reflecting universal themes. Many people find classic books intimidating, but overcoming this initial hesitation can lead to profound personal growth. Learn strategies for engaging with classic literature and discover new –to-you and familiar titles to love.
How to Use Block Quotes – Quotations are a great way to capture valuable ideas presented in outside sources—but what about when it's a really big idea? Block quotes allow academic writers to include longer source quotations in their work, but the rules around their length, formatting, and implementation are complicated. This article breaks down the what, when, and how of block quotes so you can easily incorporate them into any paper.
How to Use a Study Guide – Whether you're a student, teacher, or book club member, a study guide can help you make the most of whatever you're reading. Our article breaks down the different elements of each study guide in order to help you develop a rich understanding of every text and apply that knowledge in the classroom or your next book club.
How to Write a Summary – Learning how to write a summary is one of the basics of literary analysis, but it's also a valuable study tool and a common testing mechanism every student and teacher should have in their arsenal. Writing a great summary requires thorough preparation, a specific structure, and tactful polishing—all of which you'll find here.
Linguistics Education Resource Guide – Check out this guide for more than 40 resources for students and teachers of linguists, and anyone else captivated by the study of language. Find links to psycholinguistics resources, computational linguistics resources, historical linguistics resources, and a whole lot more, including links to relevant blogs and podcasts.
Mindfulness Resources for Mental Health – This guide features more than 30 resources that will help you learn more about mindfulness—including why reading is good for you and how mindfulness can promote student well-being and empathy in the classroom and beyond.
Religious Studies Resource Guide – This guide is packed with more than 50 individual resources for anyone studying or teaching religious studies. Find resources about the study of major Western religions and major Eastern religions, as well as religious studies teaching resources and resources for reading and analyzing major religious texts.
The Ultimate Teacher Resource Guide – Teaching is a rewarding career. It’s also a challenging one. This guide aims to support the important work teachers do by providing a wealth of helpful resources, including ideas for lessons, ready-made handouts, tests and quizzes across a range of subjects, such as art, English, science, and math, among others.
Ultimate Fiction Writing Guide – Writing fiction is a craft. As such, getting good at it takes plenty of hard work. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get some help along the way. And that’s why we created this guide to fiction writing resources. Inside, you’ll find all kinds of resources for short story writing, novel writing, writing prompts and exercises, and much more.
Ultimate Guide to Reading Comprehension – Strong reading comprehension skills are crucial to learning and critical thinking. This guide has more than 20 resources aimed at helping students of all ages and stages strengthen their reading comprehension, including resources for ESL students, SAT prep resources, and resources for teachers and parents.
Ultimate Guide to Spelling Resources – There are plenty of rules for spelling English words. At the same time, there are plenty of exceptions to those rules, making spelling mastery difficult. This guide is aimed at anyone seeking to improve his or her spelling skills. It’s packed with spelling strategies, memory aids and explanations, among many other resources.
Ultimate Vocabulary Resource Guide – How many words are there in the English language? Estimates range from more than a quarter million to just about a million. And the more of those words you know, the better you’re able to express yourself. This guide is full of vocabulary resources for students, parents, and teachers – and anyone else looking to bolster their vocabulary.
What to Do the Night Before a Test – As test day approaches, nerves can strike, making it difficult to study, sleep, or best prepare yourself for your exam. Our article will help you set aside your worries, implement effective, last-minute study strategies, and get a great night of rest so you're ready for the big exam.
Author and Genre Resources
A Reader's Guide to Booktok – BookTok has transformed reading communities, catapulting books from obscurity to bestseller status overnight. Explore how a once niche community on TikTok became a pivotal space for book lovers and learn how to become active on Booktok with guidance on everything from decoding BookTok hashtags to popular BookTok books. In addition to uncovering BookTok meaning, this guide covers the major online literary trends that make BookTok a cultural phenomenon.
A Reader's Guide to Magical Realism – Discover the Latin American origins of the term "magical realism," learn key characteristics of the modern magical realist genre, and find the best magical realism books to steep yourself in everyday wonder.
Children’s Literature Resource Guide – Reading opens kids up to new worlds, ideas, and points of view. And this guide is all about fostering a lifelong love of reading in young people. It’s full of 40 resources for parents, teachers, and kids themselves, including literature-based games, reading guides, study resources, and a whole lot more.
Drama and Theater Resource Guide – The study of drama and theater includes many elements, such as storytelling, performance, and design. All of those things – and more – are covered in this guide, which includes more than 50 resources for students and teachers alike. Find resources pertaining to the history of drama, the study and teaching of drama, and theater production, among others.
Folklore and Mythology Resource Guide – Folklore and mythology offer a glimpse into the cultures and beliefs of the past. And many elements and traditions of folklore and mythology are still with us today. Learn more about folklore and mythology with the more than 40 resources in this guide, including individual sections on Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology.
Genre Resource Guide: Crime and Mystery – Since their inception in the 19th century, the crime and mystery genres become some of the most popular with readers (as well as TV and movie watchers). This guide is packed with some 50 individual resources that celebrate the genres of crime and mystery, including resources for readers, writers, teachers, and kids. Find links to crime libraries, reading lists, blogs, podcasts, and much more.
Genre Resource Guide: Science Fiction and Fantasy – Whether you’ve been enjoying works of science fiction and fantasy for decades or you’re just getting into to the genres, this guide is for you. Inside you’ll find a wealth of resources about science fiction and fantasy, including links to relevant articles, blogs, and podcasts, as well as science fiction and fantasy writing resources.
Genre Resource Guide: Women Writers of Science Fiction and Fantasy – For readers who want to experience the fantastical and the impossible, speculative fiction is the way to go. And while most genre fiction (or popular fiction) outside of romance is considered a boys club, there are countless women making a name in speculative fiction—including science fiction and fantasy writing. In this resource guide, you will learn about speculative fiction, the women who write it, and the popular works that are defining — or redefining — the category.
Guide to African American Literature – Since before the Revolutionary War, Black writers have shaped American literature and culture, redefining existing genres and inventing new ones. The history of African American literature is rich and varied, encompassing spirituals, memoirs, journalism, poetry, theater, science fiction, and every other literary category on the planet. To help you track the evolution and importance of African American literature, we created this resource guide charting its major movements, defining techniques, essential works, and impact on today's literature conversations.
Guide to Asian American Literature – In 1968, the term “Asian Americans” was coined to express a shared cultural heritage among Americans of Asian descent. Yet Asian Americans’ contributions to US culture and industry far predate this label. While Asian American history is vast and varied, we think one of the best ways to learn about any culture’s heritage is through its literature. This resource guide features books that explore the Asian American experience, as well as links to over 40 educational resources that will help deepen your understanding of Asian American literature and history.
Learning About Shakespeare: A Resource Guide – Some 400 years after his death, the works of William Shakespeare continue to influence our culture and language. This guide is packed with information about the life, times, and writings of the Bard of Avon. Also included are links to a variety of helpful resources for anyone studying Shakespeare.
Poetry Writing and Analysis Guide – Including everything from Shakespearean sonnets to greeting card rhymes, poetry is a broad category. If you’re a student or teacher of poetry – or an aspiring poet – this guide is for you. Find poetry reading, comprehension, and analysis resources, along with information about major movements in poetry, writing resources, and much more.
Romance Genre Guide – Whether you’re a long-term romance bookworm or just starting with the genre, you may know that romance is very popular. To understand what keeps this genre so engaging, it helps to know what makes a romance a romance. This guide covers the major elements of the romance genre, introduces some of romance’s many subgenres, and tracks trends of classic romance novels and contemporary works.
Understanding Transcendentalism – The literary and philosophical term Transcendentalism comes from the Latin "transcendere" meaning "to go beyond." Learn about this 19th-century movement’s American roots in transcending the limitations of the physical world and societal norms, or use our transcendentalist reading list to explore further.
Understanding the Historical Fiction Genre – Historical fiction transports readers to different times and places, blending factual events with imaginative storytelling. Through historical fiction books, readers can experience the past in a way that is both educational and entertaining. Understanding this genre’s delicate balance of accuracy and creativity is crucial for both readers and writers.
What is Dystopian Literature? – From George Orwell to Suzanne Collins and innumerable writers in between, authors have captured readers' attention with stories that examine human nature in times of social, political, and environmental upheaval. Why is reading about worlds we would never want to live in so fascinating? This guide covers the historical events and literary traditions that have shaped contemporary stories about how people preserve their humanity in the face of oppression, whether at the personal or civilizational scale. Plus, find recommendations for the best classic dystopian novels and modern dystopian fiction.
What is a Graphic Novel? – Comic are just the beginning! The graphic novel genre blends visual art and narrative to appeal to a wide variety of readers. For those wondering how to read a graphic novel or why graphic novels are becoming more popular, this genre guide explores the genre’s history, examines the key elements of its structure, and considers the genre’s impact and future. Pick your next read from some of the best graphic novels, from dark and intriguing plots for adult readers to adventurous tales suited for young adults.
Who Was Truman Capote? – Truman Capote was the American writer and socialite whose books left a lasting impression on 20th-century literature. His ability to blend fact and fiction, his sharp, often lyrical prose, and his intricate portrayal of human emotions have cemented him as one of the most influential authors of his time. Although best known for his groundbreaking nonfiction novel, In Cold Blood (1966), Capote also wrote fiction, plays, and articles and was a cultural figure whose larger-than-life personality and complex relationships influenced the social and artistic circles of his era. Learn about his enduring impact on literature, film, theater, and the nature of celebrity.
Who was William Faulkner? – William Faulkner was an American author awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1949. Faulkner is known for his use of stream-of-consciousness narration, unreliable narrators, and nonlinear chronologies. He is also renowned for his world-building skills, and many of his writings feature interconnected and recurring characters. Learn why Faulkner is central to the development of Southern Gothic literature and build a reading list to engage with his themes of history and memory, regional identity, and destitution and decay.