We've discussed intonation in terms of new information, contrast, opinion, and negatives.

As you heard on p. 3, Americans tend to stretch out certain one-syllable words but which ones?

The answer is simple

when a single syllable word ends in an unvoiced consonant, the vowel is on a single stairstep

short and sharp.

When the word ends in a voiced consonant, or a vowel, the vowel is on a double stairstep. (For an explanation of voiced and unvoiced consonants, see page 62.

You can also think of this in terms of musical notes.

Here you are going to compare the four words

bit, bid, beat, and bead.

Once you can distinguish these four,

all of the rest are easy.

Repeat. bit, bid, beat, bead.