Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of prosody?

Vocal clarity is not typically classified as a characteristic of prosody; rather, it relates more to the articulation and intelligibility of speech. Prosody involves the rhythm, stress, and intonation in spoken language, which includes elements such as variations in loudness, changes in pitch, and strategic pausing. These aspects contribute to the expressiveness and emotional undertones of speech, helping to convey meaning beyond the literal content of the words. In contrast, vocal clarity focuses on how clearly and distinctly someone articulates sounds and words, which is a separate aspect of effective communication. Therefore, understanding that prosody enhances the emotional and grammatical structure of speech helps clarify why vocal clarity is outside the scope of prosodic features.