7The Accent Modification Manual helps readers use their cognitive and problem-solving abilities to examine the key elements of the intonation system of American English, how it is organized, and more importantly, how it works in communication. The strategies in this text provide the framework for the life-long process of modifying an accent. This text is an especially creative way of engaging learners in the process, and eliciting ownership of and a commitment to their own personalized improvement plan.