Sanders' Union Fourth Reader / Embracing a Full Exposition of the Principles of Rhetorical Reading; with Numerous Exercises for Practice, Both in Prose and Poetry, Various in Style, and Carefully Adapted to the Purposes of Teaching in Schools of Every Grade

by Charles W. Sanders

REMARK.—The inappropriate use of the monotone,—a fault into which young people naturally fall,—is a very grave and obstinate error. It is always tedious, and often even ridiculous. It should be studiously avoided.

The RISING INFLECTION is an upward turn, or slide of the voice, used in reading or speaking; as,

s?
n/
o/
s/
s/
é/
Are you prepared to recite your l/

The FALLING INFLECTION is a downward turn, or slide of the voice, used in reading or speaking; as,

\d
\ò
\i
\n
What are you \g?

In the falling inflection, the voice should not sink below the general pitch; but in the rising inflection, it is raised above it.

The two inflections may be illustrated by the following diagrams:

1.

\ì
\m
y, \p \p
l/ \r \r
t/ \u \ú
n/ \d \d
e/ \e \e
d/ \n \n
ú/ \t \t
r/ \l \l
Did he act p/ or \y? He acted \y.

2.