Intonation describes the movement of pitch (or "glides") within syllables and reflects the speakers' mood and attitude. Intonation also gives us more information about how each phrase fits into a conversation.
Although intonation patterns vary depending on context and regional accent of the speaker, ShadowTalk will teach you how to use the three main intonation patterns of American English: falling↘, rising↗, and steady→.
Falling intonation on focus words in thought groups is used to express that a speaker has finished a thought, or that the speaker is certain of something:
I have finished my homework.↘
We also use falling intonation at the end of WH-questions (asking for information):
Where did you go? ↘
On the other hand, a rising pitch at the end of the phrase conveys uncertainty, surprise, or a desire for confirmation. We mostly use it in YES or NO questions. For example:
Are you sure you have finished your homework? ↗
Steady intonation occurs when the pitch neither falls nor rises, and is placed at the ends of mid-sentence thought groups:
Are you really sure → / you have finished your homework?
In ShadowTalk, intonation is marked with falling, rising, or horizontal arrows at the end of each thought group.