English Experts

Here’s a useful trick I learned from voice-over coach Pat Fraley in his book 56 Slick Tricks. When most of us want to emphasize a key word in a sentence or phrase, we simply say the word louder. But there are more ways to add emphasis to a word – and by learning all the possibilities, you make your spoken English more colorful.

According to Pat, there are eight ways to emphasize a key word (or words) in a sentence or phrase.

First, you can use VOLUME.

1) Say the word(s) LOUDER.
2) Or say the word(s) SOFTER.

Second, you can use PITCH.

3) Say the word(s) at a HIGHER pitch.
4) Or say the word(s) at a LOWER pitch.

Next, you can use TIME.

5) Say the word(s) SLOWER.
6) Or say the word(s) FASTER.

Lastly, you can use a PAUSE.

7) Add a PAUSE before the word(s).
8) Add a PAUSE after the word(s).

I demonstrate Pat’s eight means of emphasis here:

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The sentence I use is: BRAZIL WILL HOST THE WORLD CUP IN 2014. The part I emphasize is WORLD CUP.

Listen to the audio file and then practice the means of emphasis you use the least. I promise your English will sound more colorful.

PS: I want to thank English Experts readers for the nice messages you have posted on the blog. It’s a pleasure to be part of the team! I look forward to sharing more ideas and techniques with you in the months to come.

Transcript of the audio file:

“Hi everybody, this is Jason Bermingham on English Experts. These are Eight Means of Emphasis, a technique I learned from Pat Fraley. When you want to emphasize a word in English you can use volume. Say the word louder or say the word softer. For example: Brazil will host the World Cup in 2014. Or softer: Brazil will host the World Cup in 2014. You can use pitch. You can say the word in a higher pitch or you can say the word in a lower pitch. For example, higher pitch: Brazil will host the World Cup in 2014. Or a lower pitch. Brazil will host the World Cup in 2014. You can also use speed. You can say the word faster, or you can say the word slower. Here’s faster: Brazil will host the World Cup in 2014. Here’s slower: Brazil will host the World Cup in 2014. You can also use a pause. For example, you can pause before the word (or words) or you can pause after the word (or words). Here is a pause before the word: Brazil will host the World Cup in 2014. Here’s a pause after the words: Brazil will host the World Cup in 2014. Learn these techniques and practice the ones you use the least.“