stress and intonation

1. STRESS AND INTONATION

2. STRESS AND INTONATION
• Correct intonation and stress are the KEYS to
SPEAKING English fluently with good
pronunciation.
• Words that are stressed are keys to
understanding and using the correct
pronunciation brings out the meaning.

3. STRESS AND INTONATION
• Stress CONTENT words such as:
▫ Nouns – ex: kingdom, Luna
▫ principal verbs – ex: visit, construct
▫ Adjectives – ex: beautiful, interesting
▫ Adverbs – ex: often, carefully
• DO NOT Stress FUNCTION words like:
▫ Determiners – ex: the, a, some, a few
▫ Auxiliary verbs – ex: don’t, am, can, were
▫ Prepositions – ex” before, next to, opposite
▫ Conjunctions – ex: but, while, as
▫ Pronouns – ex: they, she, us

4. STRESS AND INTONATION
• INTONATION – the rising and lowering of the
voice when speaking.
▫ RISING-FALLING Intonation is used in
 Declarative sentences
 Commands (very strong)
 WH questions
Example:
1. We love to listen to our elder’s words of wisdom.
2. Follow your elder’s advice.
3. What’s the importance of following your parent’s
advice?

5. STRESS AND INTONATION
• RISING Intonation
▫ – the pitch rises and stays high at the end of the
sentence.
▫ - indicates that the speaker is waiting for a reply
▫ - is found in yes/no questions or when
expressing doubt or surprise
▫ Example:
▫ 1. Do you follow your mother’s advice?
▫ 2. Are you really following your parents’ rules?

8. ORAL ACTIVITY:
• Divide the class into groups of 7-9 members.
• Read and study the oral piece given to you.
• Read the piece with the proper stress and
intonation.
• Present your piece in class.