What is Prosody in Reading?

Reading prosody is arguably one of the most important components of reading. It is the element of language that comprises intonation, rhythm, pitch, and stress of words—the oral component of written language that brings written (and spoken) words to life. It is particularly important to note reading prosody is about more than just reading text aloud. Without the components of prosody (i.e. pitch, intonation, rhythm, stress), spoken language would sound flat and emotionless. 

The Key Elements of Prosody in Reading

The main components of prosody include phrasing, intonation, stress, rhythm, pause, and pace. Here’s a close look at each:

• Phrasing: This divides the sentence into smaller components. Phrasing in sentences makes them easier to understand and read. 
• Intonation: This is how a person’s voice rises and falls as they read aloud.
• Stress: This is when certain words in a sentence are stressed more than others. 
• Rhythm: This refers to how words are stressed and unstressed when read or spoken aloud. 
• Pause: This refers to interruptions spoken or unspoken that aid in separating parts of sentences. 
• Pace: This is also known as tempo. It refers to the speed at which words in a sentence are read aloud or spoken. 

Prosody helps readers and listeners make sense of written sentences when spoken aloud. It is also an important focus in reading curricula because it aids in improving reading fluency and comprehension. 

The Significance of Prosody in Reading

Prosody is a crucial component of the reading process because it aids readers in understanding sentences. It also supports the improvement of fluency and comprehension. Prosody contributes to literacy appreciation because it brings written words to life by helping convey the emotional components of sentences. 

Furthermore, the components of prosody may also be particularly helpful for students who are auditory learners. Words and sentences that might not make sense when read in silence may be better understood when read or heard aloud. For auditory learners, hearing words read in certain ways helps them comprehend the texts they interact with. 

Importance of Prosody in the Learning Process

Since prosody is vital in the learning process, it is important to discuss the consequences of not including it in a curriculum. Neglecting to teach students the value of prosody in reading does not benefit them—it hurts them. The consequences of ignoring prosody when teaching reading include: 

• Decreased reading comprehension.
• Decreased reading fluency.
• Decreased understanding of linguistic and grammar elements. 

Reading prosody is a bridge between understanding and implementation of various grammar elements. For instance, students may learn in the classroom that a comma represents a pause in a sentence. However, if reading prosody is not properly taught, the student may not understand how to apply the use of commas and other grammar elements when reading aloud. Hearing other students pause appropriately at commas in sentences or raise their voices slightly when encountering an exclamatory statement reinforces the principles that are taught in the classroom.

How a sentence is read aloud may completely change the meaning for the others who are listening. Following are some examples of how prosody can impact the interpretation of various texts and sentences: 

• “Please do not step on my yard.” At face value, the sentence is a simple request with no emotion. However, if a person reads this sentence at a higher pitch and with a louder voice, this same sentence can be misinterpreted. The higher pitch and louder voice may convey anger instead of a calm request. 
• “I really enjoy wakeboarding!” This statement is an exclamatory statement and seems to convey excitement and passion. On the other hand, if a person reads this sentence aloud in an unsure manner with a soft tone, this statement could be conveyed as a question. 
• “I’m very sorry for your loss.” This statement is likely intended to be read with a sad tone. However, if the reader increases the speed of their words and heightens their pitch, this sentence could convey a happy mood, not somber as intended. 

Prosody’s Role in Reading Fluency

While prosody focuses primarily on how words and sentences sound, fluency relates directly to speech coherence—it is determined by how well someone can read or convey messages without major pauses or speech interruptions. Prosody and fluency, while different components of literacy, go together hand in hand.

 A student may be excellent in fluency but lack in prosody; on the other hand, a student can lack in fluency but may be excellent in prosody. With this in mind, a lack in one area can sincerely affect the other area. If a reader is fluent but lacking in prosody, they end up just reading the text but not giving any emotions or fully conveying the message of the story. Therefore, improving in reading prosody can improve fluency. 

For example, if a student struggles in prosody, they may spend too much time in one section of a text because they are working too hard to catch the grammar cues and then find themselves still misunderstanding the overall point of the text they are reading. Improving this student’s reading prosody would improve their fluency as they begin to grasp the grammar cues and understand how to use them correctly when reading aloud. 

Assessing Prosody in Students

The best way for instructors to evaluate their students’ prosody in reading is to have them read aloud. This can be done in one-on-one settings or group settings. Students who struggle with prosody tend to read texts word by word but do not demonstrate any ability to change their tone and inflection as they read. They tend to sound robotic. To the instructor, this can mean their students who struggle with prosody should be evaluated further for phonemic awareness, phonics, and comprehension. 

Students who are low in this category should begin by improving their skills with reading basics. Instructors can create specific lesson plans to target their students’ needs and work with them individually or in small groups continuing to have them read aloud for evaluations periodically to assess for improvement. 

Prosody vs. Fluency: Understanding the Difference

While prosody and fluency are both components of spoken language and reading aloud, they are still different. Prosody focuses on how words and sentences sound and the emotions they convey. Fluency refers to the student’s ability to speak coherently. These principles encourage readers to read smoothly (fluency) and understand the text through emotion and grammar cues (prosody) which is why they are important to teach in any reading curriculum. 

Effective Strategies to Teach Prosody in Reading

Effective strategies for teaching reading prosody include modeling and guided practice. Instructors can teach students this by giving them examples of how to properly use the different components of prosody through interactive activities such as performing plays, read-back exercises, “story time,” and “popcorn” reading. Prosody is a concept best taught through demonstration and these strategies can be incorporated into lessons each day for just minutes at a time. 

The Intersection of Prosody and Expression

Another critical component of reading aloud is expression. While expression is similar to prosody, it includes other components like hand gestures, facial expressions, and body language. Expression takes interpreting language through prosody to a broader level, by presenting the interpretation of written words through physical actions. 

These two reading components both contribute to fluent and effective reading. Prosody brings the text to life through verbal cues and voice changes whereas expression brings textual understanding through physical attributes such as facial expressions that make it easier to interpret for listeners (and watchers).  

Improving Prosody & Reading Fluency with Voyager Sopris Learning

Voyager Sopris Learning^® is the reading, writing, and math intervention specialist that supports students in grades preK–12. Voyager Passport^® is a K–5 reading intervention that uses research-proven practices to support student development in all essential components of reading including fluency. Through direct, explicit instruction and additional fluency practice opportunities, students are provided with ample support to develop automaticity, prosody, and expression while reading.

Reading prosody is a critical component of reading curricula and plays a vital role in enhancing reading comprehension. It encompasses the elements that bring grammatical cues in sentences to life. Instructors can assess prosody through read-aloud exercises, which provide valuable insights into their students' needs.