Reading Aloud refers to the ability to read aloud with a focus on the correct number of words read, expression, phrasing, smoothness and pace. Students are expected to be able to read a short passage with appropriate expression, phrasing, smoothness and pace. 

Placing Correct Word Stress

One way to read fluently is to learn how to place the correct stress on a word. One word is made up of different syllables. At the very least, it must have a syllable. In fact, ‘word’ has only one syllable.

Being confident in placing the correct word stress will enable you to read fluently and attain a high score on a fluency report. A fluency report gives students and teachers alike data on the number of words correct per minute and words that were incorrectly pronounced in their recording.

Words with Two or More Syllables

When we come across a word that has two syllables, we must apply the correct stress on the syllable within this word. So, we put greater stress on a particular syllable than the other syllable.

This applies to words that consist of more than two syllables too.

Here are three general guidelines to help us to determine the correct syllable to stress in any given word.

Type of Word

Which syllable to stress

Some examples from ‘Paintbrushes’

- Most two-syllable nouns / Stress the first syllable / lessons, paintings, people, objects

- Most two-syllable adjectives / Stress the first syllable/ nervous, endless

- Most two-syllable verbs (base form; does not include the   –ing or –ed forms) / stress the second syllable / create, approach, remind

Putting the right stress on polysyllabic words (words with two or more syllables) will help you improve your reading as you come across as lively and expressive.