Mini Practice - Intonation - Conveying Different Emotions
New speech practice membership - "The Speech Habit"
It has been a few weeks since my last post and I have been busy! In my last post, I mentioned I was working on a membership and I am so happy to tell you that it is live. It is called The Speech Habit.
Last year, the results of the survey I did asking about what would be the most helpful materials or method to help you practice English speaking skills indicated that the majority want two things: 1) short lessons with a pdf and video, and 2) feedback. That’s what I’m offering in two formats (more details at the end of the letter).
Here’s a peek inside.
Below is the very first practice from The Speech Habit email sequence. This is exactly what lands in members’ inboxes each week. I wanted you to have it because it is useful on its own, and because I think it will show you what this kind of consistent, simple practice actually feels like.
Weekly Practice: Intonation -- Conveying Different Emotions
One of the most powerful things you can do with pitch is use it to express feeling. Today we are practicing three emotional tones that come up in everyday conversation.
🎧 Listen to the definitions first: Listen here
Friendly = use higher pitch as you stretch vowels longer, go up and come back down in pitch.
Quick Agreement = use a quick increase in pitch as you go up and come back down.
Empathy = stretch the vowels longer but do not go very high in pitch.
Exercise 1 - Friendly
(Use higher pitch and longer vowels on the bold words)
Good morning!
Good afternoon!
Have a good evening
Nice to meet you
See ya
Exercise 2 - Quick Agreement
(Use a sharp increase in pitch on the bold words)
Thank you
You’re welcome
Excuse me
No problem
That’s great
Exercise 3 - Empathy
(Use longer vowels, not too high in pitch, on the bold words)
I’m sorry to hear that.
That’s too bad.
Oh, no.
What a shame.
Is there anything I can do?
Try to use these phrases with people you see today. Notice how other people say them too, and how they actually sound.
That is one week of The Speech Habit.
The Speech Habit is a membership built around the approach that small, consistent practice can fit into your week’s schedule and builds over time.
The topics rotate through American English intonation, word stress, pronunciation of vowels, pronunciation of consonants, listening/imitation, and a self-analysis check after reach cycle.
You do not need to practice longer. You need shorter consistent practice.
If you liked this and want one in your inbox every week, I would love to have you join.
There are two ways:
Email Practice Only- $35/month The weekly mini-lesson delivered to your inbox, just like the one above.
Full Membership - $99/month (founding rate, locked for life) Everything in Email Practice, plus optional live group sessions on Zoom, session recordings, async video feedback from me, and one-to-one coaching at half my regular rate. Use coupon code tothestars at checkout to lock in that rate for as long as you stay a member.
Thank you so much for being here and for your patience while I put this together.
I hope this practice is useful for you today!