three degrees which are usually denoted by type: the first by italics, the second by small CAPITALS, and the third by large CAPITALS. NOTE 1. Emphasis changes the accented syllable, when two words, which are alike in part of their formation, are opposed to each other in sense. EXAMPLES. 1. He is the superior, and you, the inferior. 2. We first inhale air, then exhale it. 3. Offensive is not the same as defensive. 4. Obedience is the opposite of disobedience. 5. The king was dethroned, and his son enthroned. 6. Sensibility is opposed to insensibility. NOTE 2. Emphasis sometimes requires an increasing force of utterance on succeeding syllables in the same word. EXAMPLES. 1. I am not ashAMED to own my Lord. 2. I will never con-DE-SCEND to such meanness. 3. There is an impossiBILity in doing it. NOTE 3. Emphasis frequently changes the meaning of a sentence. EXAMPLES. 1. Do you go to Europe this year? 2. Do you go to Europe this year? 3. Do you go to Europe this year? No, James goes. No, to Cuba. No, next year 4. Do you go to Europe this year? It will be observed, that four different answers to the above question are elicited, corresponding with the emphatic words. NOTE 4. The particles of a sentence are not usually emphatic, but are made so, when they become peculiarly significant or important in sense; and, when thus emphasized, the meaning of the sentence is frequently changed. QUESTIONS. What is the effect of emphasis, when two words which are alike in part of their formation, are opposed to each other in sense? Give examples. Does the emphasis sometimes increase on succeeding syllables in the same word? Give examples. Does emphasis frequently change the meaning of a sentence. Give an examplo. Are the particles of a sentence usually emphatic? When do they become emphatic? EXAMPLE. It was La Fayette's a design, in going from Whitehall to Albany, to pass by Stillwater. If this example be read with slight emphasis on Stillwater every hearer would get the impression that La Fayette intended to stop there; but when read with strong emphasis on by, the meaning is entirely changed, and implies that he did not intend to stop there, whatever he might do at other places. NOTE 5. Emphasis may have a diminishing stress on a phrase or sentence; that is, the utterance may become less and less forcible, although the key-note of the voice may be elevated. EXAMPLES. 1. You my superior? I an itching palm? 2. IS YOUR opinion to be a guide for me? NOTE 6. Emphasis may be equable on several successive words in a sentence. EXAMPLE. Swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon, That nightly changes in her circled orb. The subject of emphasis has been treated by different authors, under various divisions; but, as an undue multiplication of particulars rather tends to perplex than benefit the learner, we shall omit all, except what may be considered the more essential. These are comprised under the following heads : 1. SUPERIOR and INFERIOR EMPHASIS. 2. ABSOLUTE EMPHASIS. 3. ANTITHETIC EMPHASIS. 4. EMPHATIC CLAUSE, La Fayette, a distinguished French general, of vast fortune, high rank, and powerful connections. He came to this country, raised and equipped a body of men at his own expense, and did important service for the Americans in the war of the Revolution. He died in 1834. QUESTIONS. Give an example. Does the emphasis sometimes diminish on a phrase or sentence? Give an example. Is the emphasis sometimes equable on several words in a sentence? Give an example. Under what general heads is emphasis treated in this work? Superior and Inferior Emphasis. SUPERIOR emphasis is distinguished from Inferior, by the degree of stress; the former having a greater degree than the latter, to mark the relative importance of emphatic words. These two kinds or degrees of emphasis are illustrated in antithetic sentences where two words are emphatic, whether the contrast is expressed or implied, and in all other sentences which contain two or more emphatic words. EXAMPLES. 1. The GOOD man is honored, but the EVIL man is despised. In this sentence, the superior emphasis falls on good and evil, and the inferior on honored and despised. 2. Whatever PURIFIES, also fortifies the heart. In the above sentence, the implied contrast is, that whatever does not purify, does not fortify the heart. 3. ADVERSITY may make a man WISE, but not rich. 8. OCCASIONAL mirth is not incompatible with wisdom. NOTE 1. When emphasis falls on one word only in a sentence, il is called simple emphasis. QUESTIONS. How are superior and inferior emphasis distinguished? Give exam ples of each? What is simple emphasis? Give an example. EXAMPLES. 1. You wrong yourSELF to write in such a case. 2. The Declaration of Independence is a masterly production. 3. America has produced some eminent orators, 4. The winter of 1852 was remarkably cold. NOTE 2. When the emphasis falls on two or more words in the same sentence, or a succession of such words, it is called compouna emphasis. EXAMPLES. 1. Never begin things and leave them unfinished. 2. He has done the mischief, and I bear the blame. 3. When the heart is past hope, the face is past shame. 4. The Bible has truth for its subject, the mind for its object, and the Father of mind for its Author. NOTE 3. What is commonly denominated compound, double, treble, and quadruple emphasis, is nothing more than a succession of emphatic words, to mark the significant import of the entire sentence. EXAMPLES. 1. To be wise in our own eyes, to be wise in the opinion of the world, and to be wise in the sight of our Creator, are three things, so very different, as rarely to coincide. 2. No station is so high, no power so great, no character so unblemished, as to exempt man from the attacks of rashness, malice, or envy. · SECTION II. Absolute Emphasis. ABSOLUTE emphasis is that stress of voice, which is placed upon some word or words expressing an important idea, where no contrast is expressed, or necessarily implied. QUESTIONS. What is compound emphasis? Give an example. What is said in note third of compound, double, treble, and quadruple emphasis? What is absolute emphasis ? It is contended, by some authors, that in all cases where words are emphatic, there is contrast, either expressed or understood. By others, and much the larger number, it is maintained that there are many instances in which the emphatic force laid upon a word is absolute, in the most literal sense of the term, because the thought expressed by it is forcible in itself, without any aid from comparison or contrast. We incline to the latter opinion, and subjoin the following example as a strong case of absolute emphasis. EXAMPLE. Whence and what art thou, execrable shape? In this sentence, there is no contrast expressed, nor is it easy to conceive how it can be implied, or in what it could consist. Hence, we shall explain this class of words, together with those in which contrast is not expressed, or obviously implied, under the head of absolute emphasis. RULE 1. All words important in meaning, or peculiarly significant, are emphatic. EXAMPLES. 1. To be moderate in our views, and to proceed temperately in the pursuit of them, is the best way to insure success. 2. The voice of pity soothed and melted her; and when the Prince bade her be comforted, a feeble smile passed slowly over her pale countenance, like moonlight on a marble statue. 3. Geography comprises a general description of the earth, and especially of the locality and extent of the several countries; their climate, soil, and productions; the manners, customs, language, laws, religion, arts, and literature of the people; and the mountains, rivers, lakes, and physical resources of each locality. QUESTIONS. What opinion is maintained, by some authors, in regard to emphasis? What by others? What example illustrates the latter opinion? What class of words, in this work, is marked under the head of absolute emphasis? What is the rule for absolute emphasis ? |