Staircase Intonation CD 1 Track 6
So what is intonation in American English? What do Americans do? We go up and down staircases. We start high and end low.
Every time we want to stress a word or an idea, we just start a new staircase. That sounds simple enough, but when and where do you start a new staircase?
Statement Intonation with Nouns
Intonation or pitch change is primarily used to introduce new information. This means that when you are making a statement for the first time, you will stress the nouns.
Practice the noun stress pattern after me, using pitch change. Add your own examples.
1 Dogs eatbones. 11. Jerry makes music.
2 Mike likesbikes. 12. Jean sells some apples.
3 Elsa wantsa book. 13. Carol paints thecar.
4 Adam plays pool. 14. Bill and I fix the bikes.
5 Bobby needs some money. 15. Ann and Ed call the kids.
6 Susie combsher hair. 16. The kids like the candy.
7 John lives inFrance. 17. The girls have a choice.
8 Nelly teachesFrench. 18. Theboys need some help.
9 Ben writesarticles. 19. ____________________
10 Keys openlocks. 20. ____________________
+ Pause the CD.VPractice the patterns five more times on your own, using your rubber band.
