Hear different kinds of awkwardness
Read for meaning first. Select a highlighted word if you want a closer look.
In another recording, Tessa read an announcement in a monotone, keeping almost the same pitch from beginning to end. The wording sounded stilted because ordinary invitations had been replaced with unnaturally formal phrases. Her attempt to fit a long sentence into one breath also made the delivery labored. The tutor suggested changing the sentence and practicing its spoken rhythm, since livelier pitch alone would not repair awkward language or remove the audible strain of trying to carry too much at once.
Tessa first replaced the stilted invitation with words she would comfortably use when speaking to classmates. She then broke the long sentence into manageable parts, making the delivery less labored without rushing through it. Finally, she varied her pitch so that the announcement no longer remained in a monotone. Comparing the recordings helped her hear why natural wording, ease of delivery, and variation in sound were connected but distinct features of an effective spoken message.
Before you move on
Look away from the passage. Can you explain each focus word in your own words?
Original fictional passages for vocabulary practice.