(A) Stress-timed Rhythm 

(B) Syllable-timed Rhythm

Question:   Which picture represents English speech rhythm?
 
        Read aloud the sentence "pronunciation is important" (9 syllables in the sentence) to help you make a judgment.

        Are there stressed syllables in that sentence?

The question is easy, right? Did you get the answer - pictures (A)?

In picture (A), 2 adults represent the stressed syllable, while 7 children represent unstressed syllables in the sentence "pronunciation is important." The stressed and unstressed syllables go together to make up the English speech rhythm.
However, in picture (B), 9 identical soldiers fail to tell which syllables are stressed and which are not.

 Do you know which words in English sentences are stressed and which are not?

Basically words can be divided into two categories: content words and structure words. Content words are those which carry the basic meaning of a sentence, such as nouns and verbs. Structure words, also called function words, show grammatical relationship, such as pronouns and prepositions.  In general, content words need to emphasized, while structure words are usually de-emphasized and reduced.
 

The following chart will help you know the rules better.

Remember to make the stressed syllables in the emphasized words

louder, longer, clearer, and high-pitched.
 
      Listen and then read aloud the following sentences with the right stress pattern.

     Examples:      1.  John wants to be an actor, so he wants to live in Hollywood.

                             2.  Mary made an appointment with the dentist on Monday.

                             3.  After the movie, they went to a bar to have beer.
 
     *** Important Note:

      Listening Exercise (A):   Affirmative or negative?

       Listen to the following sentences. Then decide whether you heard is affirmative or negative.

 * Remember if you hear the "to-be" or auxiliary verb is stressed, then the sentence is negative.

Try to say this rhyme first.  See how well you can catch the rhythm.
             

             Note: Syllables with dark color represent stressed syllables.

                     Hickory Dickory Dock 
                          The mouse ran up the clock
 

        Then practice saying the following sentences.
        Notice that the rhythm of the sentences is followed the rhythm of the rhyme.

     Hickory Dickory Dock          

   Do it according to plan.                         

   Give me a burger with cheese.              

   Who is the man I should see?    
 

    Twinkle, twinkle, little star         

  Let me help you find your keys.              

  Don't forget the bread and milk.              

  Tell me why you don't agree.             

 (Grant, 1993, Well said, p.105) 

    The mouse ran up the clock

I'd like to cash a check.

He'd rather take the bus.

I'll have her call you back.  

     How I wonder what you are

Find a space and park your car.

Thanks a lot for all your help.

Don't forget to leave a tip.

Any word in English can be a focus in a message. You can focus on a noun, a verb, an adjective, an adverb, a preposition, or an auxiliary.

The speaker uses focus to emphasize a certain part of his/her message. The use of focus can indicate the speaker's intended meaning of a message. The focused word needs to be stressed, so it is louder, longer, and higher pitched than other words in a message.
 

 Look at the examples and find the different emphasis in each sentence:

 

                 1. John is leaving Paris next week.                (Emphasize the time)
                 2. John is leaving Paris next week.                  (Emphasize the place)
                 3. John is leaving Paris next week.                  (Emphasize the action)
                 4. John is leaving to Paris next week.                (Emphasize the truth)
                 5. John is leaving to Paris next week.             (Emphasize the person)
 

Listening exercise (B) :  Listen for focus

 

           Listen to the following sentences.

                 Find the answer that responds to the most likely meaning of the speaker. Click (A) or (B).

 

        e.g.      You hear:  I'd like to have a medium pepperoni pizza.
                     You see:  (A) not a large one?
                                      (B) not a sausage?

 

         Since the focus you hear is on "medium", you choose the answer (A).

• Thought groups and meaning

Using pauses in different places can give a sentence different meanings.

• Listen to the following two sentences.

          Can you hear pauses are used in different places between sentence (A) and (B)?
          Can you find the different meanings between two sentences?

    (A) The teacher said, "That student is lazy."           (The teacher was speaking.)
         (B) "The teacher," said that student, "is lazy."        (The student was speaking.)
 

Listening Exercise (C):   Listen for thought groups

        Listen to the following sentences. Choose the sentences you heard.  Click (A) or (B).
              Pay attention to thought groups.