Sentences with Purpose: Mastering Emphasis in Formal Writing

See also (In)appropriate words and phrases… and Clarity and style.

Why arrange words for emphasis in formal writing?

In formal writing, clarity and persuasion are paramount. While factual accuracy reigns supreme, the effective delivery of your message can make all the difference. Arranging words for emphasis allows you to highlight key points, guide the reader’s attention, and strengthen your arguments. A strategically crafted sentence can resonate far more than a bland statement. ## Techniques for emphasis: ### 1. Effective subjects and verbs:

• Active Voice: Opt for active voice to place the subject, the doer of the action, at the sentence’s forefront. This imbues the subject with agency and emphasizes its role. (“The research conclusively demonstrates…” vs. “It is conclusively demonstrated by the research…”)
• Strong Verbs: Choose verbs that precisely and powerfully convey the action. A weak verb like “is” can be replaced with a more nuanced option (“suggests,” “reveals,” “establishes”). See weak verbs.
  
  
• Specificity: Use specific nouns and verbs instead of vague generalizations. This adds concreteness and lends weight to your points. (“The economic downturn…” vs. “Things are not good with the economy…”)

2. Sentence beginnings and endings:

• Opening Strong: Start your sentence with the most crucial information. The beginning grabs the reader’s attention, so prioritize the key element there. (“Despite initial skepticism, the project proved successful…”)
• Climax or Conclusion: Place the most important idea at the end of the sentence to leave a lasting impression. This creates a sense of closure and emphasizes the concluding point. (“The data, therefore, irrefutably points to a need for reform.”)

3. Coordination and subordination

• Coordination for Parallelism: Use coordinating conjunctions (and, or, but, etc.) to create parallel sentence structures. This adds rhythm and emphasizes the importance of each element equally. (“The findings are both significant and far-reaching.”)
• Subordination for Emphasis: A Subordinating (Adverbial) Clause can highlight the main idea by providing supporting details or contrasting information. The main clause becomes the focal point in relation to the dependent clause. (“While some challenges remain, the overall outlook is positive.”)

Additional tips

• Figurative Language: Carefully chosen metaphors, similes, and personification can inject vividness and draw attention to crucial points. However, use them sparingly when writing a formal text or when maintaining a formal tone.
• Repetition: Repeating key words or phrases can reinforce their importance and create a sense of urgency.
• Questions: Rhetorical questions can prompt reader reflection and emphasize the significance of a topic.

Remember, effective word arrangement is an art, not a science. Experiment, refine, and find the approach that best suits your message and writing style. By strategically placing words, you can elevate your formal writing from merely informative to truly impactful.