Every earlier twist returns at once. Pronounce the tricky phrases, swap words, fix glitches and add your own ideas – all without losing the message.
Stress It! A Sentence Stress Game for Vocal Expression
In When Your Voice Sounds Flat: Five Ways to Practice Vocal Expression, I shared a simple exercise: say the same sentence with the stress on a different word each time. Now you can try it in this interactive sentence stress game, with 100 sentences, step-by-step practice, and a mixed round to keep you on your toes.
Stress It!
One sentence. Three ways to play.
Say the sentence aloud, emphasizing the highlighted word. Move the stress, listen to the difference, and see what happens to the meaning.
- Step by step: practice each version at your own pace.
- Put it together: follow the changing highlight and say each version aloud.
- Mix it up: follow five automatic, unexpected stress switches.
Practice freely, then try an automatic run-through. Play for as long as you like.
- Step by step
- Put it together
- Mix it up
Nicely switched!
You’ve completed all five prompts. Try another mix or explore a new sentence.
What changed when you moved the stress?
Did you sound as though you were correcting someone, making a comparison, expressing surprise, or insisting on something? There isn’t one fixed interpretation: explore what you can make the sentence suggest.
Emphasis can come from pitch, length, or a change in volume. Keep the other words flowing naturally. Even little words like a and the get a turn.
