Staircase Intonation

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.
Dogs_________________bones
///////// eat ______/////////
///////// ///////// /////////


Exercise 1-2
Practice the noun stress pattern after me, using pitch change. Add your own examples.
1. Dogs eat bones.
2. Mike likes bikes.
3. Elsa wants a book.
4. Adam plays pool.
5. Bobby needs some money.
6. Susie combs her hair.
7. John lives in France.
8. Nelly teaches French.
9. Ben writes articles.
10. Keys open locks.
11. Jerry makes music.
12. Jean sells some apples.
13. Carol paints the car.
14. Bill and I fix the bikes.
15. Ann and Ed call the kids.
16. The kids like the candy.
17. The girls have a choice.
18. The boys need some help.
19. ________________________
20. ________________________

+ Pause the CD.
Practice the patterns five more times on your own, using your rubber band.