The Power Of Emphasis: How It Clarifies Your Message
Author: Jesse Nerenberg, Reg. CASLPO, Speech-Language Pathologist
Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Table of Contents
Introduction
Have you ever said something that someone completely misunderstood? You probably said all the “right” words—but how you said them may have sent a different message.
In English, how we say something can be just as important as what we say. One of the most powerful tools we have when speaking is word emphasis. By putting extra attention on certain words in a sentence, we can completely change the meaning, emotion, or focus of what we're saying.
Emphasis is more than just being dramatic—it helps listeners understand what’s important, what you mean, and what you feel. It’s a natural part of how we speak in English, and it can clear up confusion and add depth to your message.
As a speech-language pathologist (SLP) at Well Said, I often will touch upon word emphasis with many of my clients. It can do a lot to add to the clarity and dynamism of one’s speech.
The Many Tools of Emphasis
There’s no single way to emphasize a word. Think of it like painting—you can use different brushes and colors to highlight what you want to stand out. In fact, I also like referring to emphasis as “verbal highlights”. Here are five common tools you can use to emphasize a word when speaking:
Pitch (How High or Low Your Voice Sounds)
Raising or lowering your voice’s pitch can highlight a word. A higher pitch might show excitement, surprise, or joy. A lower pitch might sound more intense or serious.
Example:
“I loved the show we saw last night.”
Raising the pitch on loved makes it sound more enthusiastic—like you're thrilled about it.
Volume (How Loudly You Say a Word)
Saying a word louder than the rest of the sentence can make it pop. This adds intensity or urgency to what you’re saying.
Example:
“I loved the show we saw last night.”
By saying loved louder, you're making it the centerpiece of the sentence.
Rate (How Long or Short a Word Is Said)
You can slow down or stretch out a word to give it emphasis. This often makes the listener pay closer attention to that moment.
Example:
“I looooved the show we saw last night.”
The stretched-out loved shows you really mean it—maybe you’re being playful, dramatic, or expressive.
Articulation (How Clearly You Pronounce a Word)
Over-articulating a word—making each sound crisp and clear—adds weight to it. It’s like underlining it in your speech.
Example:
“I loved the show we saw last night.”
Saying loved slowly and clearly emphasizes how deeply you mean it.
Pauses (Creating Space Around a Word)
Pausing just before or just after a word creates space that draws attention to it. It’s like putting the word on a little stage.
Example:
“I... loved... the show we saw last night.”
The pause before and after loved signals that it’s the emotional core of the sentence.
Using just one of these tools can help make your message clearer. Using a few together? That’s when your speech really starts to come alive. In fact, it is the variation in the dynamics of our speech that can keep the listener interested, and the message clearer. It may even make it less likely for speakers to have to repeat themselves.
How Emphasis Changes Meaning: A Single Sentence, Many Messages
Let’s explore this through a single sentence. By changing which word we emphasize, we can communicate totally different meanings. Try reading each version out loud, putting extra emphasis on the bolded word:
“I didn’t say she stole my money.”
Someone else said it—not me.“I didn’t say she stole my money.”
I didn’t say it—maybe I implied it or thought it.“I didn’t say she stole my money.”
I didn’t say it out loud—maybe I wrote it or gestured it.“I didn’t say she stole my money.”
Someone else stole it—not her.“I didn’t say she stole my money.”
She might have borrowed it or found it.“I didn’t say she stole my money.”
She stole someone’s money, but not mine.“I didn’t say she stole my money.”
She took something, but not money.
Each version changes the story. The words don’t change—but the meaning and message do. That’s the power of word emphasis.
Why Listeners Rely on Emphasis
In spoken English, listeners expect some words to stand out. When you use emphasis, your listener can more easily follow your message, even in noisy environments or fast conversations. Without emphasis, your speech may sound flat, robotic, or confusing. You might be understood on a basic level, but it will be harder for others to know what’s important or how you feel. Emphasis can be a window into a speaker’s humanity. It helps listeners understand what is new or important information, what part of your message they should focus on, and how you feel about what you're saying (e.g., frustrated, excited, sarcastic). Word emphasis gives your speech rhythm and life. It’s not about sounding theatrical—it’s about being clear.
For ESL Speakers
If English is not your first language, this part is especially for you.
Some languages—like Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Vietnamese—don’t use word emphasis in the same way English does. In those languages, pitch or stress might be used for tone, formality, or grammar, but not to shift meaning in a sentence the way it happens in English. For these speakers, English might feel confusing at first. You might say all the correct words, but still be misunderstood—simply because the emphasis is missing or placed differently.
Here’s What You Can Do:
Listen actively.
Watch English TV shows or listen to podcasts. Notice which words speakers say louder, slower, or with more energy.Repeat and imitate.
Pick one sentence and copy how the speaker says it—not just the words, but the style. Match their pitch, volume, and pacing. Think of it as if you were listening to another person talk on the other side of a wall, but could not hear their words, but you could copy the rhythm and tone of their speech.Use contrast.
Practice saying the same sentence with emphasis on different words (like in our earlier example). Notice how it feels different each time.Record yourself.
Use your phone to record your voice and play it back. Are some words louder, higher, slower, or more clearly pronounced than others?Don’t worry about being “perfect.”
Your message matters more than sounding like a native speaker. Over time, you’ll find a natural rhythm that feels authentic to you.
Emphasis takes practice. Think of it as learning the melody of English—not just the grammar.
Tips to Practice Word Emphasis in Daily Life
There are several ways to practice using emphasis in one’s daily life. You could read a sentence out loud 3 different ways, each time emphasizing a different word. You could tell a short story, and pick one key idea in each sentence to emphasize. Try taking some time in a conversation to use your face and body when emphasizing. Gesture or make eye contact—it helps your words stand out. Play with pitch, volume, rate, articulation and/or. Try exaggerating a word using one of those tools and see what feels most natural. Oftentimes I find clients may find pitch difficult to access. In those cases I have them try phrasing sentences as questions or with internal questions (which involve a rising pitch pattern). To use pitch for emphasis, simply let the pitch fall slightly after letting it rise up like when you ask a question. This will verbally highlight the word without making it sound interrogatory.
Another good strategy would be to practice with a friend. Ask them what they think the focus of your sentence was. If they guess right, you’re using emphasis effectively!
Example:
Say out loud, “He really needs to talk to her.”
Try emphasizing:
“HE really needs to talk to her.” (Not someone else)
“He REALLY needs to talk to her.” (It’s urgent)
“He really needs to TALK to her.” (Not text or ignore her)
“He really needs to talk to HER.” (Not someone else)
Each version paints a different picture, and tells a different story.
Final Thoughts
Word emphasis is one of the simplest and most powerful tools in your speech toolbox. It helps you express meaning clearly, connect with listeners, and guide people through your message. You do not need to be loud or dramatic. You just need to choose what word you want your listener to notice, what word you want to verbally highlight, and use pitch, volume, rate, articulation or pausing to help it stand out.
Whether you’re a native speaker or learning English as a second language, using word emphasis well can make your speech clearer, more confident, and more engaging. Try it out in your next conversation. Pick one word to highlight, and see how the listener responds. You might be surprised how big a difference a little emphasis can make.
To speak with a psychotherapist or one of the speech-language pathologists at Well Said: Toronto Speech Therapy, schedule an initial consultation by clicking the link below or calling (647) 795-5277.
