Suspensory Pauses

I was teaching a Grade 5 Verse and Prose student on Monday, and he was struggling with suspensory pauses… as I was explaining what they are and how they work I found myself getting quite excited! They are my favourite pause, and do work magic in poetry.

I wanted to share my enthusiasm for these curious little creatures a bit more widely, and so I’ve created a video for you to watch yourselves, but also to share with your students if you think it would be helpful for them!

Other posts that are relevant that you may want to look at:

1. The Difference Between Verse and Prose: a teaching idea.

2. Verse and Prose Knowledge: Grade 4 and 5

   Please note: the syllabus has changed since I wrote this post - students will no longer fail the exam if they get ONE pause wrong, but the rest of the information is still accurate.

3. Shakespeare Level 2 knowledge: Caesural pauses and enjambment

4. Pauses and Phrases: Grade 5 Verse and Prose Knowledge

Below is the screen I shared in the video with a summary of suspensory pauses:

1. What they are?

2. How do do a suspensory pause?

3. Examples.

Feel free to print this out and share it with your students!