RISING-FALLING INTONATION
Rising-falling intonation is characterized by a combination of a rise followed by a fall. Rising-falling intonation is characterized by a combination of a rise followed by a fall. In this case, the pitch will go up on one part of the sentence and then fall down on another part. Rising-falling intonation is often used in two-part statements, intro-phrases, and listings.
In two-part sentences, the first half of the sentence usually sets up the second half. That is, the first half requires rising intonation, and the second half will take on falling intonation. The cradle of intonation in both parts is the last content word of each part. Take the following example:
Dogs eat bones, but cats eat fish.
Intro-phrases, too, require rising-falling intonation patterns. When you want to preface your statement, use a rising tone. In the following example, the first part requires rising intonation because it is an intro phrase. The second part will then be articulated with falling intonation.
As we all know, dogs eat bones.
Rising-falling intonation is also used in listings. With more than one item in a list, all but the last one have a rising tone. The last item in the list will, however, require falling intonation.
Dogs eat bones, kibbles, and meat.
If there are more than two sentences joined by conjunctions, the same pattern will be used. That is, all but the last one have a rising tone. The last part will, however, require falling intonation. Take the following example:
Dogs eat bones, cats eat cheese, and mice eat wheat.
In this example, the parts prior to the conjunction "and" require rising intonation, and the part following it requires falling intonation.
