Intonation refers to the rise and fall of pitch in speech. In English, intonation conveys meaning, emotion, and attitude beyond words. Incorrect intonation can change the meaning of a sentence.
Rising intonation is often used in yes-no questions, while falling intonation signals certainty or completion. Intonation can also express surprise, doubt, or enthusiasm.
Practicing dialogues and role-playing conversations helps learners develop natural intonation patterns. Recording and comparing speech with native examples is also effective.
Strong intonation skills improve speaking confidence and make communication more expressive and clear.