Step 1: Produce a phonemic transcription of each of the 3 words. (A phonemic transcription does NOT show the effects of processes such as aspiration or vowel nasalization; it just shows which phonemes are in the word. It's equivalent to the mental representation of the word rather than its actual pronunciation.) Include sy.lla.ble boun.da.ries (use a period . ) and stress marks (accent marks) in your transcription.

Step 2: Using the charts in Ch. 2 (pp. 32, 35), identify each sound in the three assigned words. (For example: each starts with /k/, a voiceless aspirated stop). Once you do this, you will able to do the next step.

Step 3: Now that you know what classes of sounds are in each word, you can check to see which processes might apply. (For instance, if there are alveolar stops present, flapping might apply.) Look to see if the conditions for any of the processes listed in the assignment are met.

These steps should help you see clearly the difference between the phonemic and phonetic representations of the words.

Be sure to consult web handouts for help. A menu of handouts is on the Syllabus web page. Keep in mind that transcription practice exercises show PHONEMIC representations (although schwa does appear, other processes, such as aspiration and flapping, are not shown).

Graded Problem #1 (both parts) is not intended to become a long paper. 3-4 double-spaced pages should suffice for each part (I and II).  My motto: STRIVE FOR CONCISENESS.