WHich WoRd to emphasize?

Emphasis is a matter of contrast and comparison, wrote Dale Carnegie. In almost every sentence, there are a few important words that truly represents the main idea of it. Take for example the following sentence:-

Life is like a box of chocolate

How do you read that? By sticking to your usual way of reading; Life-is-like-a-box-of-chocolate. Try a different method instead,

LIFE-is like a- BOX-OF-CHO-CO-LATE

by emphasizing the word Life & Box of chocolate in a louder, though not necessary, intensified tone. Whether you are reading the sentence as in a monotonous Life-is-like-a-box-of-chocolate is no different if you were to emphasize each word with equal emphasis, as in like:

LIFE-IS-LIKE-A-BOX-OF-CHO-CO-LATE

The purpose of word emphasis is to create, as Dale Carnegie said, a contrast and comparison. Let us not confuse loudness as equivalent to emphasis, as said above, loudness is not neccessarily the mean of contrasting two words, let's try another example of word emphasis, instead of saying the word 'Life & Box of chocolate' in a louder tone, say it in a softer tone this time, by emphasizing the phrase, is-like-a.

life-IS-LIKE-A-BOX-OF-chocolate

How does that feel?
And of course, there is no fixed rule in public speaking, or word emphasis for that matter, as long as you would be able to deliver the effects on contrast and comparison within the sentence. At long last, trust your own guts, and you have made the right choice indeed.

 

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