102B. Recognizing the difference between STRESSED and UNstressed WORDS

louder  longer  higher

As you speak, you choose which words to STRESS by pronouncing them slightly louder, for a slightly longer duration, and at a slightly higher pitch than the words around them.

As you read the passages below, watch how changing the word you stress changes the whole point of the dialog.

Johnny has baseball practice today.

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When writing poetry or picture books, you cannot simply focus on the way the syllables of individual words are stressed.  You must also pay attention to how the words in a sentence are working together and how that affects the stress within the sentences.

That is why STRESS is ALWAYS relative.

To read how STRESSED and UNstressed syllables are grouped into measured units, read 103 Metrical Feet