STUDY GUIDE TESTIMONIALS

Here are some comments we've received from teachers who have put our guides to work in their classrooms:

• "While attending workshops the past few years, Dr. Cohen and the staff have been emphasizing the value of analyzing Shakespeare’s use of rhetorical devices. This area of study has helped me to see the connection to some of the 'non-Shakespeare' classes that I teach; for example, my AP Literature and Composition class. The knowledge of these rhetorical devices not only helps students in their analysis of Hamlet, which I teach in the course, but is also extremely enlightening in the study of the novels and poetry we read, as well. Imagine my delight when I am reading student poetry analysis essays and find them intelligently discussing the author’s use of 'antanaclasis', 'epistrophe', and 'polysyndeton' (just to name a few). Imagine the reaction of an AP reader when they come across student essays that analyze these devices! AP readers are looking for evidence that essays they are evaluating were written by mature readers and mature writers. A mastery knowledge of these rhetorical devices helps my students arrive not only at fuller appreciation of the tools used by great writers in their craft, but it also enables them to come a deeper understanding of the author’s purpose. I am extremely grateful to the ASC for opening up a whole new world of analysis to me and my students." - Tom Delise, Century High School, Sykesville, MD  
• "An excellent resource; full of practice exercises and other useful goodies!" – Rick Tyler, Winter 2011
• "I just assigned the Othello epilogue assignment today out of our guide. I tell you, those guides have been incredible this year." -- attendee, Fall 2010 Teachers Seminar
• "All of the additions are fantastic." -- attendee, Fall 2010 Teachers Seminar
• "They are wonderfully heady, practical, applicable, and so on. Thank you!" -- attendee, Fall 2010 Teachers Seminar
• "This is going to be the biggest thing I bring into my class from this weekend.  They are so teacher-friendly, I am going to be distributing them at my school." -- attendee, Fall 2010 Teachers Seminar
• "I love the way that y'all manage to put together all of these individual takeaway lessons that still fit together into an overall context; everything can work in isolation or as a whole unit, and it can all be translated to the other plays very easily." -- public school teacher, Alexandria, Virginia
• "I had begun Othello with my dual credit class just days before attending the seminar.  Upon returning to class on Monday, I told everyone to put away their texts and we then followed all the advice from the workshop.  For almost two weeks now, we have been doing the Asides work and the students LOVE it!  They can't wait to get to class, they can't wait to explore how 'many different meanings a 3 word line can have' -- they have more passion for this play than I could have ever transferred to them sans a magic wand!  It is an amazing transformation and I am so thankful.  Please extend my appreciation, admiration, and gratitude for all the hard work poured into the workshops, the Study Guides, and even the day-to-day operation of ASC.  You have truly made a difference in these young'uns lives.  As word of our trip to Taming in November has spread, once again, I am deluged with requests. Sorry to be so effusive, but what's happening in my classroom is the good stuff -- the really, really good stuff." -- public high school teacher, Courtland, VA
• "I think I have used every piece of the Othello study guide. I just assigned the epilogues today... The kids are so pumped up to see how the ASC does the scenes we did in class - particularly, of course, any involving Ben's Iago. We've had amazing discussions about metatextuality and the idea of actors standing on stage and saying I am not what I am. It's been super." -- Kerry Kisa, Cape Henry Collegiate School, Virginia Beach, VA

Have you used one of our study guides? We'd love to hear from you! Contact cass@americanshakespearecenter.com.

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