A: Sentence Stress 
Sentence stress is the way a speaker highlights certain words in each sentence.  It helps the listener to focus on important parts and understand the speakers’ meaning.  If stress is not used, or used wrong, the listener may not understand the right meaning, or have difficulty picking out what is important.

Sentence

Meaning

I don’t think she will listen to him.

I don’t think that, but someone else might.

I don’t think she will listen to him.

In my opinion, she won’t listen.

I don’t think she will listen to him.

I don’t think that, I know it to be true.

I don’t think she will listen to him.

She won’t listen, someone else might.

I don’t think she will listen to him.

She does not want to listen to him.

I don’t think she will listen to him.

She won’t listen but she may talk to him.

I don’t think she will listen to him.

She might listen to someone else.

II. Read the script and circle the words that should be stressed to match the feelings. Use the clues in the brackets. 

Anna:  (angrily) What are you doing here! (person)
Steve:  (shyly) I am here to say sorry to you. (Why is Steve there?)
Anna:  (angrier) Get out of here now, I never want to see you again! (go away )
Steve: (hopefully) Let me explain it wasn’t my fault. (not me)
Anna: (less angrily) I will give you one minute! (time)
Steve:  (more hopefully) It wasn’t me you saw talking to your best friend! (someone else)
Anna: (confusedly) Who was it then? (person)
Steve:  (getting confident) It was my twin brother, David. (looks like Steve)
Anna: (angrily again) You are such a liar! (not tell the truth)
Steve: (more confidently) He is here now.  David, please come in. (a place and enter)
Anna: (happily and relieved) Oh Steve!  How could ever doubt you! (surprised)