General Rules of Intonation

Rule One: Use falling intonation with statements and commands

1. No^⤵.
2. Do it^⤵.
3. Do it now^⤵.
4. Come here^⤵.
5. I'm currently a student at SFSU^⤵.
6. She's my supervisor^⤵.
7. My dog is friendly^⤵.
8. I don't like it^⤵.

Rule Two: Use falling intonation with wh- questions (information Q's)

1. Who's coming^⤵?
2. Where is it^⤵?
3. Why are you smiling^⤵?
4. Which one is it^⤵?
5. What's the difference^⤵?
6. How much does it cost^⤵?
7. When did it happen^⤵?
8. Whose job is it^⤵?

Rule Three: Use rising intonation when you ask yes/no questions

1. Do you like it^⤴?
2. Are you going^⤴?
3. Do I have to^⤴?
4. Is your supervisor friendly^⤴?
5. Are you leaving^⤴?
6. Is he your boss^⤴?
7. Are you busy^⤴?
8. Did you finish it^⤴?

Rule Four: Use rising intonation for items in a list. Use it mid-sentence when you offer choices. In both cases, use falling intonation for the last item.

1. We learned about how to predict^⤴, identify^⤴ and comprehend^⤵ the main idea of a reading^⤵.
2. You must submit a cover letter^⤴, your resume^⤴, and a letter of recommendation^⤵.
3. Would you like to visit Europe^⤴ or Asia^⤵?
4. I can stay late^⤴ or come in^⤵ early^⤵.
5. Before I could leave, I had to return two phone calls^⤴, type a letter^⤴ and finish a report^⤵.