Proper Intonation

How to Read a Sentence with Proper Intonation

How to:

• Think of intonation as the melody of your voice when speaking.
• When reading, your voice naturally rises (⬆) for certain points and lowers ( ⬇︎) at others.
• The rise and fall help show meaning, emotion, and whether you’re making a statement, asking a question, or expressing surprise.

When to:

Rise (↑):

• At the end of yes-no questions (“Are you ready?”)
• On the last important word of a list before the final item (“I bought apples⬆, bananas⬆, and grapes ⬇︎.”)
• When showing surprise, uncertainty, or excitement (“Really⬆?”)

Fall (↓):

• At the end of statements (“I am going to the market ⬇︎.”)
• At the end of wh-questions (“Where are you going ⬇︎?”)
• When giving commands or strong statements (“Please sit down ⬇︎.”)

Example Sentence (Statement)

 I like to drink coffee in the morning ⬇︎.

Here, your voice drops at the end because it’s a statement.

Example Questions

1. Yes-No Question (Rise at the end)

   Do you want some tea⬆?

2. Wh-Question (Fall at the end)

   What time is it ⬇︎?

3. List with Rising and Falling Pattern

   We need bread⬆, milk⬆, and sugar ⬇︎.

4. Surprised Reaction

   Really⬆?

💡Remember:
When practicing, use your hand to move up when your voice should rise and down when it should fall. It trains your ear and voice at the same time.

Intonation Pattern Chart
Sentence Type	Pattern	Example
Statement	word ⬇︎	I like coffee ⬇︎.
Yes-No Question	word ⬆	Do you like coffee⬆?
Wh-Question	word ⬇︎	Where are you going ⬇︎?
List	word ⬆ – word ⬆ – word ⬇︎	Apples⬆, bananas⬆, and oranges ⬇︎.
Choices	word ⬆ – word ⬇︎	Coffee⬆ or tea ⬇︎?
Surprise / Doubt	word ⬆	Really⬆?
Tag (Sure)	word ⬇︎ – tag ⬇︎	It’s nice, isn’t it ⬇︎?
Tag (Unsure)	word ⬇︎ – tag ⬆	You’re coming, aren’t you⬆?

Example sentences:

1. Even though it was raining↑, we decided to go for a walk↑, enjoy the fresh air↑, and take some photos in the park↓.

2. I woke up early↓, made a cup of coffee↑, sat by the window↑, and watched the sunrise over the mountains↓.

3. She packed her suitcase↑, checked her passport↑, booked a taxi↑, and headed to the airport for her flight↓.

4. I was walking home last night↓, when suddenly I heard a strange noise↑, turned around↑, and saw a huge dog chasing me↑?!

5. We went to the market↑, bought some fresh vegetables↑, picked up a loaf of bread↑, and treated ourselves to ice cream on the way home↓.

Reading Practice Text:

A Day at the Beach

I woke up early↑, packed my bag↑, and headed to the beach↓. The sun was shining brightly↑, and the waves were crashing↑ against the shore↓. I laid down my towel↑, applied sunscreen↑, and put on my sunglasses↓. Children were building sandcastles↑, seagulls were flying overhead↑, and the smell of salty air filled the breeze↓. I decided to go for a swim↑, splashed through the waves↑, and felt the cool water on my skin↓. After swimming↑, I sat on the sand↑, drank some cold lemonade↑, and watched the horizon slowly turn orange as the sun began to set↓. Finally↑, I packed my things↑, walked back to my car↑, and drove home feeling relaxed and happy↓.