Help your students break through the barriers of Shakespeare’s language with this engaging informational text! This article introduces students to the phrasing, vocabulary, and colloquialisms of Shakespeare’s works, helping them gain confidence before reading any of his plays. Perfect as a pre-reading activity or a supplement to your Shakespeare unit, this resource builds essential background knowledge and sparks discussion about how language evolves. Students can respond using the comprehension questions or choose a task from the Reading Response Choice Board — great for differentiation and engagement.

Why Teachers Love It

• Makes Shakespeare’s language accessible and less intimidating
• Builds background knowledge for any play study (Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Hamlet, and more)
• Flexible for class discussion, independent reading, or homework
• Works in both print and digital classrooms

What’s Included

• Informational Text Article: Appreciating Shakespeare’s Language
• Comprehension/Discussion Questions to guide student thinking
• Reading Response Choice Board
• Answer Key included
• Formats: Printable PDF + Digital

Why It Works
By breaking down Shakespeare’s phrasing and vocabulary, this resource helps students approach his works with greater confidence. It encourages comprehension, sparks curiosity, and builds readiness for reading and analyzing Shakespeare’s plays.