Exercise 1-58: Creating Word Groups
Break the paragraph into natural word groups.
Mark every place where you think a pause is needed with a slash.
Pause the CD to do your marking.
Exercise 1-59: Practicing Word Groups
When I read the paragraph this time, I will exaggerate the pauses.
Although we're working on word groups here, remember, I don't want you to lose your intonation.
Repeat each sentence group after me.
Hello, my name is ''__.
I'm taking American Accent Training.
There's a lot to learn,
but I hope to make it
as enjoyable as possible.
I should pick up on
the American intonation pattern
pretty easily, although
the only way to get it is
to practice all of the time.
I use the up and down,
or peaks and valleys intonation
more than I used to.
I've been paying attention to pitch,
too.
It's like walking down a staircase.
I've been talking
to a lot of Americans
lately,
and they tell me
that I'm easier to understand.
Anyway, I could go on and on,
but the important thing is to listen well
and sound good. Well,
what do you think?
Do I?
Next, back up the CD and practice the word groups three times using strong intonation.
Then, pause the CD and practice three more times on your own.
When reading, your pauses should be neither long nor dramatic — just enough to give your listener time to digest what you're saying.
Break the paragraph into natural word groups.
Mark every place where you think a pause is needed with a slash.
Pause the CD to do your marking.
Exercise 1-59: Practicing Word Groups
When I read the paragraph this time, I will exaggerate the pauses.
Although we're working on word groups here, remember, I don't want you to lose your intonation.
Repeat each sentence group after me.
Hello, my name is ''__.
I'm taking American Accent Training.
There's a lot to learn,
but I hope to make it
as enjoyable as possible.
I should pick up on
the American intonation pattern
pretty easily, although
the only way to get it is
to practice all of the time.
I use the up and down,
or peaks and valleys intonation
more than I used to.
I've been paying attention to pitch,
too.
It's like walking down a staircase.
I've been talking
to a lot of Americans
lately,
and they tell me
that I'm easier to understand.
Anyway, I could go on and on,
but the important thing is to listen well
and sound good. Well,
what do you think?
Do I?
Next, back up the CD and practice the word groups three times using strong intonation.
Then, pause the CD and practice three more times on your own.
When reading, your pauses should be neither long nor dramatic — just enough to give your listener time to digest what you're saying.