EDRS 659
VOWELS
Compiled by Dr. Stacey Bose
Directions: Study the material in this document. At the end, there are some practice questions
for you to review for the quiz. The quizzes are cumulative in that they may have questions from
the previous phonics/word study content. When you are confident with the material, please take
the quiz.
Vowels
Vowels are formed by an opening of the vocal tract. The letters “a”, “e”, “i”, “o”, and “u” are
vowels. The letters “w” and “y” can be vowels and consonants. Every syllable in a word must
have one vowel sound.
Short Vowels
Short vowels make a short, unglided sound. Short vowels are often found in words or syllables
that end with a consonant or consonants (Leu & Kinzer, 2017). Short vowels are marked with a
diacritical mark known as a breve (Fox, 2014).
• Letter ă can be represented by the keyword apple.
• Letter ĕ can be represented by the keyword egg.
• Letter ĭ can be represented by the keyword igloo.
• Letter ŏ can be represented by the keyword octopus.
• Letter ŭ can be represented by the keyword umbrella.
Long Vowels
A long vowel makes a glided sound identical to the vowel name. Long vowels are often found at
the end of a word or syllable or when a vowel is followed by a consonant and the letter “e” (Leu
& Kinzer, 2017). Long vowels are marked with a diacritical mark known as a macron (Fox,
2014).
• Letter ā can be represented by the keyword ape.
• Letter ē can be represented by the keyword eraser.
• Letter ī can be represented by the keyword ice.
• Letter ō can be represented by the keyword overalls.
• Letter ū can be represented by the keyword unicorn.
Silent “e”
When a vowel is followed by a consonant and the letter “e” at the end of the word, the vowel is
usually long. The “e” is silent. Examples include: bake, time, rope, cute, mane (Leu & Kinzer,
2017). This rule does not apply when there are two consonants between the vowel and the final
“e”.
“Y” as a Vowel
As a vowel, “y” can make the sound of long “e” or long “i”.
• Y = /ī/ at the end of short words such as cry, fry, by, my
• Y = /ē/ at the end of two syllable words such as baby, lady
• Y = /ĭ/ in the middle of words such as gym, gypsy (closed syllable)
VOWELS
Compiled by Dr. Stacey Bose
Directions: Study the material in this document. At the end, there are some practice questions
for you to review for the quiz. The quizzes are cumulative in that they may have questions from
the previous phonics/word study content. When you are confident with the material, please take
the quiz.
Vowels
Vowels are formed by an opening of the vocal tract. The letters “a”, “e”, “i”, “o”, and “u” are
vowels. The letters “w” and “y” can be vowels and consonants. Every syllable in a word must
have one vowel sound.
Short Vowels
Short vowels make a short, unglided sound. Short vowels are often found in words or syllables
that end with a consonant or consonants (Leu & Kinzer, 2017). Short vowels are marked with a
diacritical mark known as a breve (Fox, 2014).
• Letter ă can be represented by the keyword apple.
• Letter ĕ can be represented by the keyword egg.
• Letter ĭ can be represented by the keyword igloo.
• Letter ŏ can be represented by the keyword octopus.
• Letter ŭ can be represented by the keyword umbrella.
Long Vowels
A long vowel makes a glided sound identical to the vowel name. Long vowels are often found at
the end of a word or syllable or when a vowel is followed by a consonant and the letter “e” (Leu
& Kinzer, 2017). Long vowels are marked with a diacritical mark known as a macron (Fox,
2014).
• Letter ā can be represented by the keyword ape.
• Letter ē can be represented by the keyword eraser.
• Letter ī can be represented by the keyword ice.
• Letter ō can be represented by the keyword overalls.
• Letter ū can be represented by the keyword unicorn.
Silent “e”
When a vowel is followed by a consonant and the letter “e” at the end of the word, the vowel is
usually long. The “e” is silent. Examples include: bake, time, rope, cute, mane (Leu & Kinzer,
2017). This rule does not apply when there are two consonants between the vowel and the final
“e”.
“Y” as a Vowel
As a vowel, “y” can make the sound of long “e” or long “i”.
• Y = /ī/ at the end of short words such as cry, fry, by, my
• Y = /ē/ at the end of two syllable words such as baby, lady
• Y = /ĭ/ in the middle of words such as gym, gypsy (closed syllable)
