C1 Stage 1: Sentence
Make the key idea stand out
Emphasis in writing: What ... is, It is ... that, Never ...
You can make the most important part of your sentence stand out through the order of the words, not with 'very' or 'really'.
This guide is for B2 writers moving to C1. It is a stage 1 skill: write one sentence (8-50 words).
When to use emphasis
For your most important point, or to correct what many people believe ('It is not the price but the time that ...'). Once or twice in a text, not more.
Emphasis: how to do it
A few fixed patterns move your main idea into the spotlight: 'What surprised me was the cost.' 'It is the cost that worries people.' 'Not only is it cheaper, but it is also faster.' After 'Not only', 'Rarely' or 'Never' at the start, the small verb (is, do, have) comes before the person or thing: 'Rarely do we ...'. Use these now and then: if every sentence is in the spotlight, none is.
Useful language for emphasis
- What ... is / was ...
- It is ... that ...
- Not only ... but also ...
- Rarely / Seldom / Never + auxiliary + subject
- The reason why ... is that ...
- All (that) ... is ...
Example of emphasis
What most beginner cooks underestimate is how much time careful preparation saves later.
Topic: Learning to cook
How the BetterWrite coach checks emphasis
The BetterWrite coach checks 3 points for this skill, plus accuracy and staying on topic, and quotes your own words when one is not there yet.
Try it
Write ONE sentence about learning a musical instrument that puts your key point in the spotlight: start with 'What ...', 'It is ... that ...' or 'Never / Rarely ...' (like 'Never have I ...').
Write 8-50 words (one sentence).