| In
writing, emphasis is a technique that helps the writer transmit exactly
what he or she wants to say with all the power and force with which
he or she wants to say it.
1.
Appropriate use of emphasis makes the writer's idea clear rather
than ambiguous.
Example: Arnold cleaned the pool and kidnapped Rose. (Ambiguous)
Arnold,
the pool man, kidnapped Rose. (Clear)
2. Emphasis in sentences can
be achieved through:
Vivid Language Use
CAUTION:
CAPITAL LETTERS
Will you please be QUIET?
Use these devices sparingly.
Exclamation points
This is amazing!
Dashes
No one‑‑including Henry‑‑is free from
suspicion.
Italics
or Underlining
Cinderella was the most
beautiful woman at the ball.
I told
you to wear a raincoat.
**Avoid emphasis through exaggeration: Patrick is the sweetest, funniest,
smartest man in the whole world.
3.
Other Emphasis techniques for sentences:
SHIFTS IN WORD ORDER
Stress on Modifier
Ellen gazed at the moon, silvery and round. (adjective shift)
Longingly,
the puppy gazed at the food. (adverb shift)
Stress
by Inversion
What big eyes you have, Grandma!
Stress by Voice A
large donation was given by the Nelson family. (passive)
The Nelson
family gave a large donation. (active)
Stress on Predicate
Friendly he is not.
Stress on Verb Form
To err is human, to forgive divine.
Stress on Natural Subject
There
must be a thousand escape routes to take.
SUBORDINATION
(Coordinated) They went to the experimental theater, and enjoyed themselves,
(Subordinated) Although they went to the experimental theater, they
enjoyed themselves.
PARALLELISM
I came, I saw, I conquered. (parallel listing)
My home is your home. (parallel through antithesis)
PERIODIC
STRUCTURE
(Loose form) Dorian
was a likeable person despite his many shortcomings.
(Periodic)
Dorian, despite his many shortcomings, was a likeable person.
4.
Emphasis in a paragraph
Rule 1: To achieve emphasis in paragraphs, writing must be unified,
coherent and adequately developed.
Rule 2: Ideas should be presented in the most emphatic order from
least important to most important
Emphasis in a paragraph
can be achieved through:
Structure
Proportion‑‑The most important point is the most
developed.
Repetition
of ideas or themes
Parallelism
Climactic Order Direct Statement
Deductive presentation or Inductive presentation
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