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StressMarks: Word Stress Reference Database + Writer's Lookup Plugin

A browser plugin (Chrome/Word/Google Docs) that writers highlight any English word and instantly see: IPA stress notation, syllable breakdown, audio pronunciation, usage context from published books, and stress pattern rules that apply. The backend is a crowdsourced, expert-verified database of 50,000+ English words with stress patterns tagged by linguistic rules (vowel length, morphology, syllable weight). Writers submit uncertain words; linguists verify and add rule explanations.

PLUGIN

22 weeks • 70% confidence

Value Proposition

Eliminates fragmented research across 5+ sources (Merriam-Webster, Oxford, IPA charts, Reddit threads). One-click lookup with RULE explanations (not just answers) teaches writers WHY stress falls where it does, so they internalize patterns. Offline mode works without internet. Crowdsourced data means rare/new words get added faster than traditional dictionaries.

Target Audience

Non-native English writers, novelists writing dialogue, ESL teachers creating materials, content creators needing pronunciation guides, academic writers

Key Features

  • Highlight-to-lookup in any web text or document
  • IPA + audio + syllable stress visualization
  • Stress rule explanation (e.g., 'Noun: stress on 1st syllable; Verb: stress on 2nd')
  • And more, with full implementation detail...

Tech Stack

Chrome Extension API (Manifest V3) SQLite (local database) Google Text-to-Speech API or ElevenLabs (audio synthesis) Wiktionary API + CMU Pronouncing Dictionary (data source)
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Original Problem

Writers struggle to understand and apply English stress rules consistently in their work

Writers and non-native English speakers frequently encounter confusion about word stress patterns, which affects pronunciation guides, dialogue authenticity, and overall writing quality. Current resources are fragmented across multiple sources with inconsistent explanations, forcing writers to spend hours researching or guessing, leading to errors that undermine credibility.

Score: 17.5%