Prosody encompasses elements like stress, intonation, and timing, crucial for conveying emotions and meanings effectively in spoken language.

Think of it as a mixture of “prose” and “melody”—a combination of well-chosen words with eloquent, almost musical delivery.

For example, the way a question rises at the end or the emphasis on certain words can alter the listener’s perception and emotional response.

Improving your prosody involves being mindful of how your voice modulates, the pacing of your speech, and the emotional tone you wish to convey.

Here’s the plain prose:

Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

And here’s the prosody:

Four score and seven years ago,
our fathers brought forth on this continent
a new nation,
conceived in liberty,
and dedicated to the proposition
that all men are created equal.

Prosody makes all the difference!