How Do I Show Emphasis in a Sentence

If you need to emphasize a word or a particular fact in a sentence, you can use italics to stress it. That said, italics and other font changes lose their impact if overused. It is best to use such devices sparingly and rely on strong writing and strategic word placement to get your point across.

Before the advent of word processing, it was common to underline words to show emphasis. You can still use underlining in your writing and be correct.

Why did you give Sara the sandwich with mustard on it? That was Casey’s sandwich.

Italics, however, are the more current—and more elegant—way to emphasize a word or phrase.

There are fewer than five thousand Black Rhinos left on the African continent today.

At last, he saw the face under the cloak’s hood. It was her.

Italics can be useful to emphasize a few words at a time and can be especially helpful if a single word is stressed, as in the examples above. But when overused, too many font changes can confuse and overwhelm the reader; in the world of the written word, it is “shock and awe.”

Emphasis Through Strategic Word or Clause Placement

When your aim is to point the reader toward key facts and phrases, using introductory adverbs and adverb phrases can be very effective. Some examples of these are especially, particularly, most importantly, and above all. Other adverbs work well in the introductory position too. In the example below, you will see what a difference word position can make in a sentence: the first iteration sounds almost casual in tone compared to the second.

He emerged from the vanguard unscathed, remarkably.

Remarkably, he emerged from the vanguard unscathed.

Repetition of a phrase can also have a compelling effect in your writing, rhythmically underscoring the essence of your key message.

How could he ask which of them I truly loved? It was him. It had always been him.

Another method of emphasis in a series of sentences is the placement of a short, emphatic sentence to “punctuate” a crucial point and even add an element of drama.

Jim decided to find out if playing frisbee in a glass factory was a bad idea. It was.

Use With Caution: Boldface, Capitals, and Exclamation Marks

Boldface fonts can be used sparsely to draw attention to words or short phrases, and are most often seen in business writing. Using boldface for emphasis is not appropriate for academic writing.

Smoking is not permitted in the workplace.

A draft must be submitted three days before the publication deadline.

“All caps” writing is rarely warranted, and if you use capitals too often, your paragraphs will appear silly and chaotic. In electronic communications, it can even be perceived as shouting.

A draft must be submitted THREE DAYS BEFORE THE PUBLICATION DEADLINE.

Some people may actually be offended by the style of the above example. Therefore, use all capitals very sparingly (and never in academic writing).

“BE CAREFUL!” I cried.

Similarly, exclamation marks certainly have a place in English writing, but they are too often abused. They can be used effectively in fiction and informal writing, but you should avoid them in business and academic writing. Using an exclamation point implies an outcry or extreme excitement, and should be reserved for unique circumstances.

The exit is to your right!

Off with his head!

A final note about exclamation points: when you do use them, remember that you need only one of them. Not two, not five, not seven. One.