One of a series of practitioner oriented texts designed to clarify important educational issues and improve classroom practice. This book examines difficulties in teaching Shakespearean language at the high school and undergraduate levels and provides practical exercises for students. The book begins with an overview of previous theory and research related to the study of William Shakespeare's dramatic language, and pinpoints the most confusing language practices, based on diagnostic exercises with college students and high school sophomores. The book is then divided into three sections of practice exercises (with worksheets for students, and an introduction for teachers). The first section--"Shakespeare's Unusual Arrangements of Words"--focuses on Shakespearean characters' unexpected word sequences. Section 2--"Shakespeare's Troublesome Omissions"--discusses how students can improve their understanding of syllable omissions, omissions of syllable parts, and word omission in the characters' speeches. Finally, the third section--"Words Not Quite Our Own"--presents groupings of 112 familiar words that appear with unexpected meanings, and four assignments which can be used in conjunction with the vocabulary materials. (MM)