Reading out loud with intonation and expression

Hello, I'm Mr McPartlin.

And today we're going to find out about intonation.

If I read like this with my voice all at one note, you will soon lose interest.

It's boring.

Dull.

You are not a robot.

So, why read like one?

Reading in a lively, interesting and natural way is all down to your intonation.

That's the rise and fall in your tone of voice.

When you read out loud, it's good to use your voice expressively, like I'm doing now.

It gives life to what you read and makes it interesting for your listeners.

It helps them understand and picture what is on the page.

But how do you read expressively?

And are there any tips or tricks?

Absolutely.

When we start a new sentence, we usually begin on a slightly higher note and then on a slightly lower one.

And if we ask a question, our tone of voice usually rises a little at the end of the sentence.

Doesn't it?

Let's practice.

Start on a slightly higher note and end on a slightly lower one.

Try copying my intonation.

Let's say it together.

Start on a slightly higher note and end on a slightly lower one.

Now, listen to me reading the sentence.

With a question, your tone of voice gets a little higher at the end, doesn't it?

And now let's read the sentence together.

Try copying me.

With a question, your tone of voice gets a little higher at the end, doesn't it?

Excellent!

But question marks aren't the only clues to how to read a sentence expressively.

There are plenty more helpful hints hidden.

Let's check them out.

Punctuation gives you clues for what to do with your voice.

If there's an exclamation mark coming up, you end the sentence forcefully, whether that would be with excitement, terror or anger.

It all depends on what the sentence says.

If you spot a comma, it's telling you to pause for a moment before carrying on.

And if you spot an ellipsis… three dots in a row, that tells you to slowly let your voice trail away like this.

And leave a pause before you start speaking again.

Let's put it all together.

Next up is a section of a story.

Your job?

To transform it into a thrilling story with lively intonation.

Let's take a look at the punctuation first.

There are commas, ellipses, an exclamation mark and a question mark in the text.

All of which help tell where and how to be expressive.

Ready to read the section aloud?

Excellent.

Good luck!

And remember, you can pause the video if you'd like more time.

Finished your reading out loud?

Excellent.

It's an exhilarating moment, isn't it?

Let's read together.

This time I'm going to join in with you.

I promise I won't be a robot.

Here we go.

Slowly, slowly, the snow began to fall.

Bright stars glittered.

Like tiny diamonds in the dark blue sky.

Jay listened.

What was that?

Something was coming; the soft pad of wild paws, getting closer…

and closer…

and closer…

And then, by the trees, he saw it.

A wolf!

Well done!

You really brought the words to life.

So, whether you're reading to your friend, classmate, dog or teddy,do it as expressively as you can.

Look out for punctuation marks and remember to take your time.

Take a breath at the full stops and wait a moment when you come…to a blank line between paragraphs.

That gives your listeners time to take in what you've read.

And it creates suspense, excitement about what will happen next.

Well done, everyone.

That was fun.

Exclamation marks, commas.

For more help, challenges and games on this subject, visit bbc.co.uk/bitesize.