9
English
Quarter 3 Week 6
Prosodic Features of Speech:
Intonation, Pitch, Stress, and Volume
Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners, can
continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions,
exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each
lesson. Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-
bystep as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you. Pre-tests
are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each SLM.
This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if you
need to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better
understanding of the lesson. At the end of each module, you need to answer
the post-test to self-check you’re learning. Answer keys are provided for each
activity and test.
We trust that you will be honest in using these. In addition to the material in
the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also provided to our facilitators and
parents for strategies and reminders on how they can best help you on your
home-based learning. Please use this module with care. Do not put
unnecessary marks on any part of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in
answering the exercises and tests. And read the instructions carefully before
performing each task.
If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the
tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.
Thank you.
What I Know (Pretest)
Before we proceed to the main point of the lesson, let us find out how much you have learned in the
previous lessons by writing the letter of your answer on the line provided before each number.
_____1. This refers to the rise and fall of voice.
a. pitch b. stress c. juncture d. intonation
_____2. This refers to the relative highness and lowness of tone in voice.
a. pitch b. stress c. volume d. intonation
_____3. Is concerned with the way our speech sounds.
a. pitch b. stress c. prosody d. intonation
_____4. It is a rise in pitch and a fall in pitch in the same sentence.
a. falling intonation b. non-final intonation c. rising-intonation d. intonation
_____5. This is another term for prosodic feature in phonetics which includes pitch, stress, juncture
and intonation.
a. suprasegmental b. literary device c. figure of speech d. grammar
_____6. This can add meaning to the things we say, show emotions, and add clarity to our speech.
a. prosodic b. prosody c. intonation d. pitch
_____7. “Give me a __________ bag” is an example of imperative sentence in which the adjective
‘plastic’ must be properly enunciated in one of the following choices below.
a. PLAS-tic b. plas-TIC c. plastic d. PLASTIC
_____8. It is the degree of highness or lowness of a tone.
a. Stress b. Pitch c. Intonation d. Volume
______9. It refers to the loudness or softness of speech.
a. Stress b. Pitch c. Intonation d. Volume
______1O. Refers to how the voice can change pitch to convey meaning
a. Stress b. Pitch c. Intonation d. Volume
What’s New
Prosodic Features
Are the sound qualities of voice such as intonation, pitch (frequency), stress
(emphasis), and volume (loudness). Hence, Prosodic Features is also called
suprasegmental.
What is Prosody?
Is concerned with the way our speech sounds. In other way, prosodic can add meaning
to the things we say, show emotions, and add clarity to our speech. This is because the
way in which we say things can change their intended meaning.
‘’There are four prosodic features of speech: intonation, pitch, stress, and volume.
What is Intonation?
Refers to how the voice can change pitch to convey meaning. There are three main
intonation types to be aware of: falling intonation, rising intonation, and non-final
intonation.
Falling intonation- is when the voice falls or lowers in pitch (gets deeper) towards
the end of the sentence. It can occur at the end of some kinds of questions, such as
those beginning with who, what, where, when, and why.
Example:
Person A: ‘’Did you go to the store?’’
Person B: ‘’No, I didn’t.’’
Rising Intonation- is when the voice rises or gets higher in pitch towards the end of a
sentence. It is most common in questions that can be answered with a ‘’yes’’ or
‘’no’’.
Example:
Person A: ‘’Are you going to the party tonight?’’
Person B: ‘’ Yes, I am?’’
Non-final Intonation- there is a rise in pitch and a fall in pitch in the same sentence.
It also used in several different circumstances, including introductory phrases and
unfinished thoughts, as well as when listing several items or giving multiple choices.
Example:
Person A: ‘’What would you like for dinner?’’
Person B: ‘’Hmm, we can have pizza, pasta, or sushi?’’
What is Pitch?
It is the degree of highness or lowness of a tone.
Example: "I didn't say you stole my money."
By changing the pitch emphasis on different words, we can convey different meanings or
interpretations:
"I didn't say you stole my money." (Emphasis on "I") - This implies that someone else
said it, not the speaker.
"I didn't say you stole my money." (Emphasis on "didn't") - This suggests that the
speaker did something else, not saying it.
"I didn't say you stole my money." (Emphasis on "you") - This implies that someone
else stole the money, not the listener.
"I didn't say you stole my money." (Emphasis on "stole") - This suggests that the
money was taken, but not necessarily stolen.
"I didn't say you stole my money." (Emphasis on "my") - This implies that someone
else's money was stolen, not the speaker's.
What is Stress?
It refers to the emphasis placed on certain syllables in words or certain words in
sentences.
Example;
1. AM-pli-fy (3 syllable) - The stress is in the first syllable.
2. OBject' (noun) vs. 'obJECT' (verb)
*'OBject', we are referring to a material thing that can be seen and touched.
*'obJECT', we are referring to the action of expressing or feeling disapproval or
disagreement.
3. 'INcrease' (noun) vs. 'inCREASE' (verb)
*This refers to a growth or augmentation in numbers, size, power, or intensity.
*This refers to the action of becoming or making something greater in size,
amount, intensity, or degree.
What is Volume?
It refers to the loudness or softness of speech. In prosody, volume helps convey
emphasis, intensity, and emotional expression in spoken language.
Example: “I’m so excited”! (the volume is loud)
“I’m sorry for your loss” (the volume is soft)
ACTIVITY
A. Directions: Prepare a ¼ sheet of paper and identify if the phrase or sentence is falling,
rising, or non-final intonation.
1. "Did you enjoy the movie?" _______________________________
2. "Are you going to the party tonight?"___________________________
3. "I have to buy milk, bread, and eggs." ________________________________
4. "She loves to read books, watch movies, and travel."
______________________
5. "The concert starts at 8 p.m." ___________________________
6. "He won the first prize in the competition." __________________________
7. "Do you need any help with your homework?" _________________________
8. "Is it going to rain tomorrow?" ___________________________
9. "I had a great time at the beach." _____________________________
10. "She is the CEO of the company." ______________________________
11. "Are we meeting at 6 o'clock?" _____________________________
12. They are going on vacation next week." _____________________________
13. "I went to the store, picked up some groceries, and came back home."
______________________________
14. "The project requires research, analysis, and presentation."
_______________________________
15. "He enjoys playing soccer, basketball, and tennis."
______________________________
B. Directions: Read the sentence versions carefully and take note of the pitch words that are
italicized. Match the sentence in Column A to its meaning in Column B.
1. She did not take his A. Maybe she borrowed
money. it.
2. She did not take his B. Someone else took the
money. money.
3. She did not take his C. It was someone else’s
money. money.
4. She did not take his D. It’s not true that she
money. took the money.
5. She did not take his E. She took something
money. else.
C. Directions: Determine if the word stress is used as a noun or a verb. Choose the letter of
the correct answer.
1. perMIT
a. An official document that allows someone to do something. (noun)
b. To allow or give permission for something to happen. (verb)
2. conTENT
a. the subject or topics covered in a book. (noun)
b. to satisfy or please someone. (verb)
3. CONduct
a. The manner in which a person behaves. (noun)
b. To organize and carry out a particular activity. (verb)
4. Object
a. A thing that can be seen or touched. (noun)
b. To express or feel disapproval or disagreement. (verb)
5. subJECT
a. A person or thing that is being discussed. (noun)
b. To cause someone to undergo a particular experience. (verb)
D. Directions: Identify if the phrase or sentence has a (soft) volume or (loud) volume. Write SV if
the volume is soft, and LV if the volume is low.
______________________1. I hate you!
______________________2. Can you be my partner?
______________________3. Get out of my way!
______________________4. Shut up!
______________________5. How are you?
Reference
http://udel.edu/~dlarsen/ling101/slides/Suprasegmentalshandout.pdf
https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/96560/13/13_chapte r%205.pdf
https://www.thoughtco.com/suprasegmental-speech-1692008 https://www.engvid.com/english-
resource/35-words-stress-changesmeaning/
