Proper way to assert type of variable in Python

The isinstance built-in is the preferred way if you really must, but even better is to remember Python's motto: "it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission"!-) (It was actually Grace Murray Hopper's favorite motto;-). I.e.:

def my_print(text, begin, end):
    "Print 'text' in UPPER between 'begin' and 'end' in lower"
    try:
      print begin.lower() + text.upper() + end.lower()
    except (AttributeError, TypeError):
      raise AssertionError('Input variables should be strings')

This, BTW, lets the function work just fine on Unicode strings -- without any extra effort!-)

You might want to try this example for version 2.6 of Python.

def my_print(text, begin, end):
    "Print text in UPPER between 'begin' and 'end' in lower."
    for obj in (text, begin, end):
        assert isinstance(obj, str), 'Argument of wrong type!'
    print begin.lower() + text.upper() + end.lower()

However, have you considered letting the function fail naturally instead?