Identifying_Operative_Words

What are operative words?

Words essential to telling the story; key words that convey the gist of the story even if read alone.

Which types of words are typically considered operative?

Nouns, adjectives, adverbs, titles, names, and especially proper names.

How can you emphasize operative words when reading a script?

By varying volume, pitch, rhythm, and tempo.

What does 'punching' a word mean?

Emphasizing a word by increasing the volume of your voice.

What does changing pitch when emphasizing a word entail?

Modifying the highness or lowness of your voice for the operative word.

Why is it effective to pause before or after an operative word?

It highlights the importance of the word, especially complex or technical terms.

What should you mark in your text apart from operative words?

Breaths for pauses and all punctuation to guide delivery.

What should be stressed in a sentence according to the operative word stress rules?

New ideas and significant information.

How do you handle pronouns and the word 'not' in stress?

They are generally unstressed unless given careful consideration.

What is the stress rule for compound words?

Stress should be balanced on both words when they express combined ideas.

When modifying a noun, how is the stress applied for compound words?

Stress typically goes on the first part of the compound.

What is a primary phrase in the context of stress rules?

It carries the truly important information or main points of the argument.

What is a subordinate phrase?

A phrase that can be removed without changing the meaning of the main argument.

What should be done with operative words in the script?

Underlined or highlighted for emphasis.

What is the purpose of marking breaths in your script?

To know where to pause for breathing during delivery.

What technique can be used to add emotional connection to your delivery?

Using senses, substitution, and emotional recall.