To fully understand the construction of assonance, a device Shakespeare often used in his works, ask students to read a selected passage aloud, enunciating only the vowels.
Such reading really demonstrates the effect assonance has and allows students to see it more naturally before returning to the text. It’s also great fun to bring the text off the page to life!
This teaching idea came from Donna King, Head of English at The Thomas Hardye School, who led on a New Teacher Subject Days course on Shakespeare's histories for English teachers.
Schools Programme members and those who attended the NTSD course in 2015/16 can download the resources from the event in the PTI Staffroom.
Want to discover more inspiring subject knowledge? See our upcoming events and courses, including our CPD Subject Day: Why Shakespeare? Teaching the Bard at Key Stage 3.
Image: Portrait of Shakespeare © Deirdre O’Neill (licenced under Creative Commons)