1. The syllable (σ) It’s a useful analytic unit It’s a cognitive unit
“An argot popular among young ruffians contains forms like fan-fuckin-tastic, abso-bloody-lutely, Phila-fuckin-delphia, and Kalama-fuckin-zoo. In this lingo they are placed inside a single word, always in front of a stressed syllable. The rule is followed religiously: Philadel-fuckin-phia would get you laughed out of the pool hall.” - Steven Pinker

2. Syllable structure
A syllable consists of an onset (optional) and a rhyme (required)
A rhyme consists of a nucleus (required) and a coda (optional)

3. Two rules Sonority Sequencing Principle (SSP) Low vowels High vowels
Laterals
Approximants
Nasals
Fricatives
Affricates
Plosives
High sonority
Low sonority

4. Two rules Maximum Onset Principle (MOP)
VCCV will be syllabified as V.CCV, not VC.CV or VCC.V (provided that CC is an acceptable onset)
Practice: aspect, picnic, stranded