Try speaking this sentence in 3 different emotions!
Choose a sentence and practice speaking it using three different emotions, then record or perform each version to explore voice, expression, and body language.
Step-by-step guide to speak a sentence in three different emotions
Step 1
Write one short sentence on your paper like "I love pizza!" or "Watch out!" so you have something to say.
Step 2
Pick three different emotions to try and write them next to your sentence (for example happy surprised angry).
Step 3
Stand in front of the mirror so you can watch your face while you practice.
Step 4
Say the sentence out loud once using the first emotion and show it with your voice and face.
Step 5
Repeat the sentence two more times in that same first emotion and change your voice or your facial expression a little each time.
Step 6
Say the sentence out loud once using the second emotion and show it with your voice and face.
Step 7
Repeat the sentence two more times in that same second emotion and change your voice or your body language a little each time.
Step 8
Say the sentence out loud once using the third emotion and show it with your voice and face.
Step 9
Repeat the sentence two more times in that same third emotion and change your voice or your movement a little each time.
Step 10
Either perform each of your three versions for a family member or record each version so you can listen or watch them later.
Step 11
Pick your favorite version and write one short sentence about what made it special (voice tone facial expression or body language).
Step 12
Share your finished three-version performance or recording on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use if I don't have a mirror or a device to record?
Use a phone's front-facing camera or a reflective window as your mirror, and use the phone's voice or video app to record while writing your sentence on any paper or notebook as instructed in the first step.
I'm finding it hard to make each emotion sound distinct—what should I try?
When you say the sentence three times for each emotion in front of the mirror, exaggerate facial expressions, vary pitch, speed, or volume between repeats, and compare recordings to spot clear differences as suggested in the practice and record steps.
How can I adapt the activity for younger children or older kids?
For younger kids, choose two simple emotions, use a stuffed animal or parent as the audience and do one or two repeats per emotion, while older kids can add subtle changes, props, or editing before uploading their favorite version to DIY.org and writing their short reflection sentence.
What are some ways to extend or personalize this emotion-speech activity?
Make it more creative by adding costumes or props, filming side-by-side clips of the three emotion versions for comparison, and then share the chosen best take on DIY.org after writing the short sentence about what made it special.
Watch videos on how to speak a sentence in three different emotions
Feelings and Emotions | How Do I Feel? | English Vocabulary| ESL
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Feelings and Emotions | How Do I Feel? | English Vocabulary| ESL
English Vocabulary Boost: Words to Describe Emotions Like a Native Speaker |
Feeling Something? Use an Exclamatory Sentence! | Show Emotions in English
Emotions for Kids! | What are Emotions? | Emotions vs. Feelings | Twinkl USA
Facts about acting and drama for kids
🎭 Actors use tiny changes in tone and timing to make the same sentence sound like different feelings!
🤝 People pay lots of attention to faces and gestures — body language helps listeners understand emotions faster than words alone.
🗣️ Prosody is the 'music' of speech — pitch, rhythm, and loudness tell listeners if you're excited, bored, or sad.
😊 Smiling (even a little) can trick your brain into feeling happier — try it while you speak!
🎙️ You can use different parts of your voice (like soft whispers or strong chest tones) to make emotions sound real.
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