Emphasizing Structure Words
UNIT 9
Unit Objectives: 1) Emphasize structure words
2) Review of focus rules
3) Different vowel sounds for letter ‘a’
4) Vocabulary List 9
Review
Most of the time content words are emphasized
when speaking.
(Content words: Main verbs Nouns, Adj, Adv, Wh-
question)
That content word emphasized is usually the last
word in a sentence.
EX: He found toilet paper at the store.
Structure words
Generally, structure words are not emphasized. But…
Structure words can be the Focus Word when the
speaker is trying to correct or contrast.
EX: A: You will have to wait until later for ice cream.
B: But it is later.
Structure words
Focus Rule 7
If a person feels strongly or wants to correct something
that was previously said, a structure word can be
emphasized.
Structure words
Read the sentences out loud on next slide. Make sure
to emphasize the underlined structure word. It is the
focus word.
Remember the pitch of your voice must increase
when emphasizing a focus word.
EX: A: I don’t think that’s right.
B: It is right!
Structure words
Practice: Read out loud. Emphasize the underlined
focus word.
1. Our specialties are steak and lobster.
Terrific! I’ll have steak and lobster.
2. Did you buy apples or oranges?
Both! I bought apples and oranges.
3. You look really sick!
I am sick!
Structure words
When speaking, most auxiliary verbs are contracted
(e.g. They’ve = they have / He’s = he is)
Auxiliary verbs: have, has, do, be, is, are…
When a structure word is the focus of meaning in a
sentence it is not contracted.
EX: That’s a nice house.
Yes, it is a nice house, but not as nice as mine.
Practice: Read out loud. Emphasize the underlined focus word.
1. You haven’t stopped by in a long time.
Yes, I have stopped by, but you’re never here.
2. I don’t think the Uber is leaving.
Sorry, but I see it is leaving.
3. He’s not coming.
Yes, he is coming.
4. She won’t pay you.
Well, I think that she will pay me.
5. What is the problem?
Hmm, there is no problem.
Practice: Read out loud. Emphasize the underlined focus word.
1. You look exhausted.
Right. Well I am exhausted.
2. I don’t think you are correct.
Well, I am correct.
3. They aren’t taking the subway to work.
Actually, they are going to take it to work.
4. You don’t have hand-sanitizer, right?
I do have it.
5. He can sing well.
Yes, he does sing wonderfully!
Structure words
Practice Open Clear Speech 4th Edition. Turn to
page 71.
Read the Dialogue “Short Commute” 3-4 times out
loud.
Go to D2L, record the dialogue under ‘assignments’
(This recording is graded and worth 10 points).
Recordings will be scored on D2L
Structure words (Prep. and Pronouns)
Prepositions can also be focus words in a sentence.
Pronouns can also be focus words in a sentence.
They are often the focus word when correcting or
contrasting with a word that was said before.
EX: Is the baby under the bed?
No. He’s next to the bed.
Structure words (Prep. and Pronouns)
Practice: emphasize prepositions and pronouns
A- Did you put the hairspray in the trash?
B – No. I put it on the shelf.
A – Where did we leave our bikes? Are they on the grass?
B – No. They’re behind the grass.
A – You forgot your computer on the desk.
B – My bad. I forgot to put it in my bag.
A – Where’s my mask? Is it next to the desk?
B – No. It is on the sink.
Focus Rules Review (p74)
1. There is a pitch change on the vowel of the stressed
syllable of the focus word. The pitch change can be up
or down, but it must be a change. Unit 6
2. The focus word in a short sentence or thought
group is usually a content word. Unit 6
3. The structure words are usually de-emphasized to
help make a contrast with the focus word. Unit 7
Focus Rules Review (p74)
4. At the beginning of a conversation, the focus word is usually the
last content word in a thought group (a short sentence, clause, or
phrase). Unit 8
5. After a conversation begins, any word can become a new thought
(the new focus of information). Unit 8
6. When there is a disagreement or a correction, the word that
corrects the information from the previous statement is the new
focus word. Unit 8
7. When a speaker feel strongly or wants to correct something that
was said before, a structure word may be emphasized. Unit 9
Different vowel sound for ‘a’
Different vowel sound for ‘a’
Different vowel sound for ‘a’
Different vowel sound for ‘a’
Different vowel sound for ‘a’
Practice: Say the sentences out loud to yourself.
1. He caught a big fish.
2. There’s little tissue in stock.
3. I like to read at the pond.
4. At dawn, the sun is beautiful.
Vocabulary List 9
You will need to memorize the terms on the next
slide.
Make sure you know the meaning and part of
speech.
Students will be quizzed on Vocabulary List 9 next
week.
Vocabulary List 9
1. artificial - (adj) not natural, made by people
2. base - (v) to use as your main place of activity
3. obey - (v) to do what you should do; to follow a law, rule,
order, etc.
4. pause - (v) to stop doing something for a short time
5. race - (n) a competition
6. succeed – (v) to complete what you have tried to do
7. supply - (v) an amount of something
8. trap - (n) equipment to catch an animal
9. wonder - (v) to want to know the truth about something
10. worship - (v) to show love for a god
