Emphasizing Structure Words: Unit 9

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’
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

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Emphasizing Structure Words

2) Review of focus rules

3) Different vowel sounds for letter ‘a’

Most of the time content words are emphasized

That content word emphasized is usually the last

EX: He found toilet paper at the store.

Generally, structure words are not emphasized. But…

Structure words can be the Focus Word when the

Read the sentences out loud on next slide. Make sure

Remember the pitch of your voice must increase

EX: A: I don’t think that’s right.

Practice: Read out loud. Emphasize the underlined

1. Our specialties are steak and lobster.

2. Did you buy apples or oranges?

3. You look really sick!

When speaking, most auxiliary verbs are contracted

Auxiliary verbs: have, has, do, be, is, are…

When a structure word is the focus of meaning in a

EX: That’s a nice house.

1. You haven’t stopped by in a long time.

2. I don’t think the Uber is leaving.

3. He’s not coming.

4. She won’t pay you.

5. What is the problem?

1. You look exhausted.

2. I don’t think you are correct.

3. They aren’t taking the subway to work.

4. You don’t have hand-sanitizer, right?

5. He can sing well.

Practice Open Clear Speech 4th Edition. Turn to

Read the Dialogue “Short Commute” 3-4 times out

Go to D2L, record the dialogue under ‘assignments’

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

EX: Is the baby under the bed?

Practice: emphasize prepositions and pronouns

A- Did you put the hairspray in the trash?

A – Where did we leave our bikes? Are they on the grass?

A – You forgot your computer on the desk.

A – Where’s my mask? Is it next to the desk?

1. There is a pitch change on the vowel of the stressed

2. The focus word in a short sentence or thought

3. The structure words are usually de-emphasized to

4. At the beginning of a conversation, the focus word is usually the

6. When there is a disagreement or a correction, the word that

7. When a speaker feel strongly or wants to correct something that

Practice: Say the sentences out loud to yourself.

1. He caught a big fish.

3. I like to read at the pond.

4. At dawn, the sun is beautiful.

You will need to memorize the terms on the next

Make sure you know the meaning and part of

Students will be quizzed on Vocabulary List 9 next

1. artificial - (adj) not natural, made by people

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