Practice Intonation: “American Names”

Intonation is the rise and fall in the pitch or tone of your voice as you read aloud. Use this passage to practice reading with proper intonation. Print a copy of this passage from InsideNG.com to help you monitor your progress.

My name’s Arturo, “Turo” for short. For my father, and my grandfather, and his father, back and back. Arturos—like stacks of strong adobe bricks, forever, my grandmother says.

Really, my name was Arturo. Here’s why: Three years ago our family came up from Mexico to L.A. From stories they’d heard, my parents were worried for our safety in “that hard-as-a-fist Los Angeles.” But Papi needed better work.

Rosa, my little sister, wailed, “’Nighted States, no! Too dark!” My brother, Luis, and I pretty much clammed up. I guess numbed by the thought of leaving our home, and a little scared, too, about the tough barrio.

Like some random, windblown weeds, we landed in L.A., home to movie stars and crazies and crazy movie stars.