A First [-fifth] Reader

carrying the hand through the air as the words are spoken, or by writing sentences on the black board in a form that will indicate the inflection, as follows: Did you see a boy pass this If insufficient attention is

way? Yes,

he went down this street.

given to the matter of inflection, the voice becomes monotonous and oral reading exceedingly tiresome. An exaggerated inflection, on the other hand, tends to artificiality and affectation. Great pains should be taken to secure natural expression.

Accent means the special stress given to a certain syllable of a word, as pres' ent, pre sent', pres en ta' tion.

Quality has to do with the kind of tone used in speaking or reading. The three principal tones used are pure, orotund, and aspirated. Others sometimes mentioned are the guttural, a deep throat tone, and the tremor, a tremulous quality of the voice. Pure tone is used in ordinary conversation and is clear and smooth. The orotund is a magnified or intensified pure tone. It is used to bring out some special oratorical effect, or in reading verse of great dignity and majesty. The aspirated is a forcible whisper expressing fear, horror, or wonder.

Force is the degree of loudness used in reading; the voice is loud, moderate, or gentle, according to the requirements of the selection to be read.

Pitch means the general tone of the voice in reading; it is medium, high, or low as the selection may demand. (Distinguish between pitch and tone.)

Rate refers to the rapidity of speech in oral reading, and is moderate, rapid, or slow as the selection may demand.