21.10. Intonation

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The basic rules to intonation in English are rather straightforward:

With statements you use a falling intonation.

With questions you generally use a rising intonation.

With wh-questions you use a falling intonation.

NB! A question like "Would you like milk or cream?" when you've been offered coffee is tricky. With a rising intonation it is a yes/no question and they want to know if you want either or neither. If it ends with a falling intonation, then they are giving you a list to choose from.

With question tags you must decide whether an actual answer is required or if the question tag is more rhetorical, i.e. they are just hoping for confirmation.

If an answer is required, use a rising intonation.
If a simple confirmation is enough, use a falling intonation.

Natural rhythm of a sentence

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The main verb is usually stressed.
In case of a predicate adjective, the adjective or adverb is stressed, not the linking verb. (Example: My new FRIENDS are GENerous.)
The subject and object of the sentence are stressed, including the object of the preposition.
Pronouns are generally not stressed.

There are always exceptions, especially as you wish to emphasise different words for meaning, but this is a basic way to find rhythm in speaking.

Wednesday 21 October

2020-10-20T20:06:53+03:00

Feedback from Monday's reading

Intonation:
* extra material (below)
* 2.2 ex 18 Question tags

Natural rhythm:
* extra material (below)

Practise reading (in pairs/small groups)
* 2.1 ex 18 The Globe

Vocabulary practise:
* 2.1 ex 2 practise vocabulary (Quizlet, choose "Match") and after that do ex 5 Explain away! OR ex 7 Oral skills: Introductions in pairs on the subchannels

Intonation - extra

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Read the following sentences. Which ones have a falling intonation and which ones have a rising one? Can you figure out the rule?

Natural rhythm

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Read these sentences out loud, emphasising a natural rhythm. The teacher will play you a recording to check.

1. People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
2. The square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.
3. The sound that our ear detects will change in pitch as the object passes.
4. Some consumers might buy certain products to display their wealth.
5. Drivers should always yield to vehicles already in the intersection.
6. Please mind the gap between the train and the platform.
7. All are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.
8. If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following it should be fired.