1. Why Intonation Matters

Intonation (the rise and fall of your voice) can change meaning completely: 

• “You’re coming.” (flat tone = statement) 

• “You’re coming?” (rising tone = question) 

• “You’re coming!” (excited tone = surprise) 

2. Basic Intonation Patterns
3. Rising Intonation (↗)

Used for: 

• Yes/No questions: “Do you like coffee↗?” 

• Incomplete thoughts: “When I was young↗…” 

1. Falling Intonation (↘)

Used for: 

• Statements: “I live in Cairo↘.” 

• WH-questions: “Where do you work↘?” 

1. Rise-Fall Intonation (↗↘)

Used for: 

• Lists: “I need eggs↗, milk↗, and bread↘.” 

• Surprise: “You did WHAT↗↘?!” 

3. Common Intonation Mistakes

❌ Arabic Speakers Often: 

• Use flat tone for questions: “Your name is Ahmed.” (should rise) 

• Overuse rising tone: “I went to the store↗?” (should fall) 

✅ Fix It: 

• Record yourself asking: “Is this your bag?” vs. “This is your bag.” 

• Notice the difference! 

4. Emotion Through Intonation

5. Practice Exercises
6. Mark the intonation (↗, ↘, or ↗↘):

1. Are you serious___? 

1. I love chocolate ice cream___. 

1. First___ then___ and finally___. 

1. Say these with different emotions:
   “Really?” (try: happy, angry, bored)
2. Intonation Dictation:
   Listen to short dialogues and mark the patterns.