Types and Rules of Intonation in English.pptx

Types and Rules of Intonation in English

1. Types and Rules of Intonation in English

2. What is Intonation? Intonation is the way the voice rises or falls when communicating. In short, it is the music of speech . It focuses more on how you say it rather than what is being said. This is important in English communication because sentences may vary in meaning depending on the intonation . It also yields dynamics on your speech and makes it more compelling to hear .

3. The most common types of Intonation we have in English are the following:  Falling intonation  Rising intonation  Falling–rising intonation  Rising–falling intonation

4. Falling Intonation This is when the pitch of the voice falls at the end of a sentence. We commonly use them in: Statements Commands WH-questions confirmatory question tags, and exclamations

5. In statements , we say: Pleased to meet ↓ you . Mom wants to buy that ↓ bag . We should keep ↓ going .

6. In commands , we say: Show me the way to the ↓ station . Take your shoes ↓ off . Leave them on the ↓ desk .

7. In WH-questions , we say: What food do you ↓ want? Where do you come ↓ from? Whose book is ↓ this?

8. In question tags , we use the rules of falling intonation only when we seek confirmation or invite agreement. For example, we say: He thinks he’s so smart, doesn’t ↓ he ? They didn’t enjoy the party, did ↓ they ? She’s the one you told me about, isn’t ↓ she ?

9. In exclamations , we say: That’s a perfect ↓ gift ! How nice of ↓ you ! What a beautiful ↓ performance !

10. Rising Intonation This is when the pitch of the voice rises at the end of the sentence. It is commonly used in yes or no questions, and question tags that show uncertainty.

11. In question tags showing uncertainty, we say: You’re new here, aren’t ↑ you? He prefers the beach, doesn’t ↑ he? The rules were changed, weren’t ↑ they?

12. In yes or no questions , we say: Do you like your new ↑ shirt? May I borrow your ↑ book? Will she ↑ agree?

13. Rising-Falling Intonation This is generally used for: giving out a list, a set of choices, partial and conditional statements.

14. In stating a list, use rising intonation in the first series of items. Then, use a falling intonation on the last item to indicate that the list has ended. For instance: She bought some ↑ bread, ↑ meat , ↑ pasta , and ↓ apples. He enjoys outdoor activities such as ↑ mountain climbing, ↑ trekking , and ↓ camping . This bag comes in colors of ↑ white , ↑ gray , ↑ black , and ↓ yellow .

15. When used in choices , we say: Would you like to have ↑ tea or ↓ coffee ? Is Jane coming ↑ today or ↓ tomorrow ? Did you say ↑ east or ↓ west ?

16. We also use the rising-falling intonation in partial statements. This is when the speaker is hesitant to fully express his ideas and is unable to finish his statement. For example: What was the place like? –Well, it ↑ seemed ↓ nice … (but it’s too small.) So did you enjoy the trip? –Hmmm, ↑ yes I ↓ did… (but it was too short.) Do Ethan and Ricky know you? –Well, ↑Ethan ↓ does… (but not Ricky.)

17. In conditional statements, we use the rising intonation in the first clause, then gradually shift to the falling intonation in the second clause. If you have any ↑ questions, send me a ↓ message. Ever since you came ↑ here, everything’s doing ↓ well. Unless she ↑ asks, I’ll stay ↓ silent.

18. Falling-rising intonation This is often used when the speaker is uncertain of an answer to a question or shows reluctance.

19. For example: Should we ↓ re ↑ port this incident? Do you think it is ↓ va ↑ lid ? Would he ↓ su ↑ pport the team?

20. Why learn the Rules of Intonation? Having the right intonation helps us sound clearer and more natural.

21. F ive B enefits of having good intonation

22. 1. Awareness of intonation aids communication.

23. Incorrect intonation can result in misunderstandings, speakers losing interest, or even taking offense!

24. Intonation allows you to play well in tune. So, the better the tune, the more you’ll sound better and will be perceived as a better speaker.

25. Your tone is usually better and more consistent because you have better control in managing your air better in order to play in tune better. Your technique has to improve in order to make the adjustments necessary to play in tune.

26. You will feel more confident and at ease when you know your intonation is good. When you have good intonation, speaking in English will become more fun!