EmphasisEmphasis

By Lauren Benson, David Donohue, By Lauren Benson, David Donohue, Lakinya Francis, and Corey ReevesLakinya Francis, and Corey Reeves

Understanding How Sentences EndUnderstanding How Sentences End

By writing sentences correctly writers are able to increase By writing sentences correctly writers are able to increase comprehension, clarity, and reading easy.comprehension, clarity, and reading easy.

Readers prefer that a sentence is ended when difficult ideas are Readers prefer that a sentence is ended when difficult ideas are presented.presented.

Difficult ideas include long and complex phrases and clauses, Difficult ideas include long and complex phrases and clauses, as well as new information or unfamiliar information.as well as new information or unfamiliar information.

It is important to be familiar with your audience and have an It is important to be familiar with your audience and have an idea of their background knowledge.idea of their background knowledge.

One needs to ask themselves which of the words are common One needs to ask themselves which of the words are common and what are the words that will need explaining.and what are the words that will need explaining.

Clarity in EmphasisClarity in Emphasis

Clarity and reading easy improve when Clarity and reading easy improve when sentences begin with simple terms.sentences begin with simple terms.

This allows the writer to build up momentum This allows the writer to build up momentum so that the more complicated material can so that the more complicated material can follow.follow.

Complex grammar should be placed at the end Complex grammar should be placed at the end of the sentence to increase comprehension.of the sentence to increase comprehension.

For example, compare the following.For example, compare the following.

Examples of ClarityExamples of Clarity

A sociometric and actuarial analysis of Social A sociometric and actuarial analysis of Social Security revenues and disbursements for the last six Security revenues and disbursements for the last six decades to determine changes in projecting deficits is decades to determine changes in projecting deficits is the subject of this study.the subject of this study.

In the study, we analyze Social Security’s revenues In the study, we analyze Social Security’s revenues and disbursements for the last six decades, using and disbursements for the last six decades, using sociometric and actuarial criteria to determine sociometric and actuarial criteria to determine changes in projecting deficits.changes in projecting deficits.

Which One is More Clear?Which One is More Clear?

Even though both sentences have the same Even though both sentences have the same meaning and word choice, the second sentence meaning and word choice, the second sentence is much easier to understand.is much easier to understand.

This is because the complex grammar is found This is because the complex grammar is found at the end of the sentence.at the end of the sentence.

Complex grammar is only one of the Complex grammar is only one of the complexities that should be placed at the end complexities that should be placed at the end of the sentence.of the sentence.

Complex TermsComplex Terms

Complex terms are the second kind of Complex terms are the second kind of complexity writers must be concerned with.complexity writers must be concerned with.

Similar to complex grammar, complex terms Similar to complex grammar, complex terms should be placed at the end of the sentence should be placed at the end of the sentence

Consider the following.Consider the following.

Examples of ClarityExamples of Clarity

……and troponin make up the sacromere, the and troponin make up the sacromere, the basic unit of muscle contraction. Its thick basic unit of muscle contraction. Its thick filament is made up of..filament is made up of..

The basic unit of muscle contraction is the The basic unit of muscle contraction is the sarcomere, which is made of troponin. It has sarcomere, which is made of troponin. It has two filaments, one thick and one thin.two filaments, one thick and one thin.

The second sentence is much easier to read The second sentence is much easier to read due to the complex terms being found at the due to the complex terms being found at the end of the sentence.end of the sentence.

The Nuances of Emphasis and StressThe Nuances of Emphasis and Stress

When reading we assign stress to certain words similar to the When reading we assign stress to certain words similar to the way we hear a speaker add stress to the words that he or she way we hear a speaker add stress to the words that he or she hopes to emphasize.hopes to emphasize.

By effectively managing words writers are able to position By effectively managing words writers are able to position stresses so that they are allowed to establish a tone throughout stresses so that they are allowed to establish a tone throughout the writing. the writing.

Stresses are often found at the end of sentences.Stresses are often found at the end of sentences. For this reason, ideas that are considered to be significant are For this reason, ideas that are considered to be significant are

placed at the end of the sentence.placed at the end of the sentence. These ideas then are the climax of the sentence and draw in These ideas then are the climax of the sentence and draw in

the most attention.the most attention.

Six Syntactic Six Syntactic Devices to Devices to

Emphasize the Emphasize the Right WordsRight Words

1. Passiveness1. Passiveness A passive verb lets you flip a subject and A passive verb lets you flip a subject and

object.object.For example:For example:

Active:Active: “Some sociobiologists claim that our “Some sociobiologists claim that our genes genes influence influence aspects of our aspects of our behavior…”behavior…”

vs.vs.Passive:Passive: “Some sociobiologists claim that “Some sociobiologists claim that aspects of aspects of behavior that we think behavior that we think are learned are in fact are learned are in fact influenced influenced by our by our genes.”genes.”

2. There2. There

There is/ there are constructions let you There is/ there are constructions let you shift a phrase toward the end of a shift a phrase toward the end of a sentence.sentence.

The use of “there is/are adds a delay and The use of “there is/are adds a delay and thus emphasis to what follows in the thus emphasis to what follows in the sentence.sentence.

““English teachers stress grammar in their introductory English teachers stress grammar in their introductory classes.”classes.”

vs.vs.

““There areThere are English teachers that stress grammar in English teachers that stress grammar in their their introductory classes.” introductory classes.”

3. & 4. What-shifts and 3. & 4. What-shifts and It-shiftsIt-shifts

The what-shift is a device that shifts part The what-shift is a device that shifts part of the sentence to the right.of the sentence to the right.

““We need extra time in order to properly write this essay.”We need extra time in order to properly write this essay.”vs.vs.

““WhatWhat we need is extra time in order to properly write this we need is extra time in order to properly write this essay.”essay.”

The It-shift is used when you have a long The It-shift is used when you have a long noun clause. You can move the clause to noun clause. You can move the clause to the end of the sentence and start with an the end of the sentence and start with an itit..

““To fight a war with no specific enemy once seemed To fight a war with no specific enemy once seemed impossible.”impossible.”

vs.vs. “ “It It once seemed impossible to fight a war with no once seemed impossible to fight a war with no

specific enemy.”specific enemy.”

5. Not only X, but Y 5. Not only X, but Y (also)(also)

Used to add emphasis to the whole Used to add emphasis to the whole sentence by implying that X clause sentence by implying that X clause would be assumed sufficient but would be assumed sufficient but we’ve added a Y clause as well.we’ve added a Y clause as well.

““We must read this chapter and We must read this chapter and paraphrase it for our paraphrase it for our project.”project.”

vs.vs.“ “ We must We must not onlynot only read this chapter, read this chapter,

but alsobut also paraphrase it for our project.”paraphrase it for our project.”

6. Repeated Words and 6. Repeated Words and Pronoun SubstitutionPronoun Substitution

This is important: To avoid sounding flat This is important: To avoid sounding flat at the end of a sentence, do not use the at the end of a sentence, do not use the same word you used earlier. Instead same word you used earlier. Instead rewrite the sentence or use a pronoun at rewrite the sentence or use a pronoun at the end of the sentence.the end of the sentence.

““I started I started my papermy paper late because that late because that was the only time I could fit in starting was the only time I could fit in starting my my paperpaper.”.”

vs.vs.““I started I started my papermy paper late because that late because that

was the only time I could fit was the only time I could fit it it in.in.

Diagnosis And RevisionDiagnosis And Revision

Three Three RevisionThree Three Revision

Trim the endTrim the end

Sociobiologists claim that our genes control Sociobiologists claim that our genes control our social behavior our social behavior in the way we act in in the way we act in situations we are in every day.situations we are in every day.

Since Since social behaviorsocial behavior means means the way we act in the way we act in situations,situations, we drop everything after behavior. we drop everything after behavior.

Sociobiologists claim that our genes Sociobiologists claim that our genes control control our social behaviorour social behavior..

Shift peripheral ideas to the leftShift peripheral ideas to the left

The data offered to prove ESP are too weak The data offered to prove ESP are too weak for the most partfor the most part..

For the most partFor the most part, the offered to offered to , the offered to offered to prove ESP are prove ESP are too weaktoo weak..

Avoid ending with anticlimactic Avoid ending with anticlimactic metadiscoursemetadiscourse

Job opportunities in Job opportunities in computer programming computer programming are getting scarcer, are getting scarcer, it it must be rememberedmust be remembered..

It must be It must be rememberedremembered that job that job opportunities in opportunities in computer programming computer programming are getting scarcer.are getting scarcer.

Shift new information to the Shift new information to the rightright

A more common way to manage stress is by A more common way to manage stress is by moving new information to the end of a moving new information to the end of a sentence.sentence.

ExampleExample

Questions about the Questions about the ethics of withdrawing ethics of withdrawing intravenous feedingintravenous feeding are are more difficultmore difficult. . [[than something just than something just mentioned].mentioned].

More difficultMore difficult [ [than than just saying something]just saying something] are are questions about the questions about the ethics of withdrawing ethics of withdrawing intravenous feedingintravenous feeding..

Emphasis Used to Develop Emphasis Used to Develop Topics, Themes, and Topics, Themes, and

CoherenceCoherence

ThemesThemes

Theme developmentTheme development The topic of the paper should be stated in the first sentence.The topic of the paper should be stated in the first sentence.

-Specifically near the end of the opening sentence; the words -Specifically near the end of the opening sentence; the words leading to the statement of the theme create a micro-leading to the statement of the theme create a micro-introduction.introduction.

Subsequent sentences should emphasize topics that reflect the Subsequent sentences should emphasize topics that reflect the theme.theme.

This is achieved by using these topics either as subjects or This is achieved by using these topics either as subjects or nouns in the supporting sentences of a paragraph.nouns in the supporting sentences of a paragraph.

A combination of the two clearly emphasizes the theme of the A combination of the two clearly emphasizes the theme of the passage.passage.

Theme Development ExamplesTheme Development Examples

Page 101, example paragraph 1a.Page 101, example paragraph 1a.IncorrectIncorrect ““Great strides in the early and accurate diagnosis of Great strides in the early and accurate diagnosis of

Alzheimer’s disease have been made in recent years.”Alzheimer’s disease have been made in recent years.”-Alzheimer’s disease is emphasized by its position at -Alzheimer’s disease is emphasized by its position at the end of the opening sentence, however, the theme the end of the opening sentence, however, the theme of the passage is not Alzheimer’s disease.of the passage is not Alzheimer’s disease.

Theme Development ExamplesTheme Development Examples

Page 102, mid-page example sentence.Page 102, mid-page example sentence.CorrectCorrect ““In recent years, though researchers have made great In recent years, though researchers have made great

strides in the early and accurate diagnosis of strides in the early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, those diagnoses have raised a Alzheimer’s disease, those diagnoses have raised a new problem about informing those most at risk new problem about informing those most at risk before they show symptoms of it.”before they show symptoms of it.”

-As you can see, this sentence emphasizes the risk of an -As you can see, this sentence emphasizes the risk of an early diagnosis, which is the theme of the passage.early diagnosis, which is the theme of the passage.

CoherenceCoherence

Developing CoherenceDeveloping Coherence--Begin with bluntly stated topicBegin with bluntly stated topic-Use following sentences to develop and clarify various themes -Use following sentences to develop and clarify various themes

and ideas. and ideas. -Some writers have a tendency to add “fluff” to their writing in -Some writers have a tendency to add “fluff” to their writing in

order to make it appear more advanced, however, such writing order to make it appear more advanced, however, such writing has a tendency to eliminate emphasis, and thus cause the has a tendency to eliminate emphasis, and thus cause the theme of the passage to become unclear.theme of the passage to become unclear.

-Using a, “This is how it is, now let me tell you why,” approach -Using a, “This is how it is, now let me tell you why,” approach creates a very coherent paper because it eliminates any creates a very coherent paper because it eliminates any ambiguity as to the meaning of the passage. ambiguity as to the meaning of the passage.

Coherence ExamplesCoherence Examples

Page 101, example paragraph 1a.Page 101, example paragraph 1a.IncorrectIncorrect-This passage is incoherent because the evidence is -This passage is incoherent because the evidence is

presented before the assertion.presented before the assertion.-The reader is unclear as to the theme of the passage -The reader is unclear as to the theme of the passage

because it is stated later on.because it is stated later on.-Providing evidence without having made an assertion -Providing evidence without having made an assertion

is the same thing as arguing for nothing, this makes is the same thing as arguing for nothing, this makes any evidence presented by the writer useless to the any evidence presented by the writer useless to the reader.reader.

Coherence ExamplesCoherence Examples

Page 102, example paragraph 1b.Page 102, example paragraph 1b.CorrectCorrect-This passage begins with a bluntly stated topic, and is -This passage begins with a bluntly stated topic, and is

followed by sentences that emphasize words that followed by sentences that emphasize words that reflect the theme of the passage.reflect the theme of the passage.

-This allows the reader to focus on the theme of the -This allows the reader to focus on the theme of the passage while the assertion is explained.passage while the assertion is explained.

-Subsequent sentences also provide evidence to support -Subsequent sentences also provide evidence to support the initial assertion, thus creating a coherent the initial assertion, thus creating a coherent paragraph.paragraph.

Topics, Themes, and CoherenceTopics, Themes, and Coherence

In order for an assertion to be well argued, it In order for an assertion to be well argued, it must contain all of these constituents. must contain all of these constituents.

Topics of sentences are used to develop Topics of sentences are used to develop themes, and themes are developed through the themes, and themes are developed through the presentation of logical evidence.presentation of logical evidence.

If both topics and themes are developed If both topics and themes are developed properly using emphasis, the paper will be properly using emphasis, the paper will be coherent.coherent.

Ideas Regarding EmphasisIdeas Regarding Emphasis

Beginning and end shake hands with each Beginning and end shake hands with each other.- German Proverbother.- German Proverb

All’s that well ends well.- ShakespeareAll’s that well ends well.- Shakespeare In the end is my beginning.- T.S. EliotIn the end is my beginning.- T.S. Eliot