Does what it suggests, giving a concise explanation of the text. The explanation of the text is in small type to the left of the larger play text on the right, all squeezed onto one page. The book is larger than your usual sized book, and would stick out by 4cm or so when put on your bookshelf, this helps fit all that useful information in. Some pencil drawings of the imagery and metaphors are included like for example an owl attacking an eagle, I don't know how useful this is but I have remembered it so perhaps it's doing its job. It would be great if some room was made for note taking.