Delivery & Voice
Emphasis and Stress
Highlight key words through stress, not volume alone.
Last updated
What it is
The deliberate vocal emphasis placed on specific words or syllables to change meaning, highlight importance, or create emotional impact. Stress involves changes in pitch, duration, and intensity rather than just increased volume. Strategic emphasis guides listener attention and clarifies your intended message.
Before & after
Before
“We need to fix the TRIAL now. (shouting the word)”
After
“We need to FIX the trial now. (emphasizing action) vs. We need to fix the trial NOW. (emphasizing urgency)”
When you’ll use it
Clarifying which word is most important in a sentence
Correcting misunderstandings by stressing the right element
Creating emotional impact in key moments
Distinguishing between similar-sounding options
Pro tip
Practice stressing different words in the same sentence to test meaning shifts. Record yourself to hear the difference.
Questions & answers
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