A focus word is a word that receives the most stress in a thought group. Every thought group has at least one focus word, and the focus word tends to be the last important word in a thought group. It is generally a content word. Although there are general rules for what is chosen as a focus word and why, focus words can change depending on the speaker’s meaning and mood. You will learn more about this in Style & Tone.
Here are some examples:
I’ll call you tomorrow.
I’m waiting for you.
I noticed you didn’t have your notebook, so I took notes for you.
Now, can you identify the focus word? Click below to check your answer.
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1. I’ll see you in class.
2. I know you ate, but are you still hungry?
3. I’m waiting for you.
1. class
2. ate, hungry
3. waiting
Practice repeating each sentence. Be sure to stress the focus word. It may help to clap your hands or tap on a table to make sure you are fully stressing the focus word.
Multiple Focus Words
There are times when a thought group will have more than one focus word. You can identify which words are focus words based on the context, and how they sound. We will visit these topics further in Style and Tone, Highlighting, and Contrasting and Clarifying.
Speakers tend to stress the important words. What is important may change from sentence to sentence, but these stressed words are meant as a clear indicator of what the listener must understand.
Let’s look at some examples where two focus words are used. Why are these words stressed more than others?
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1. Please call me back.
2. She finally invited me.
3. I would never leave this job.
1. Please is stressed because the person may be frustrated or or desperate to get a phone call. Back is stressed because it is the last important word in the thought group.
2. Finally is stressed because it shows that this person has been waiting a long time to be invited. Invited is stressed because it is the last important word in the thought group.
3. Never is stressed because it is important to emphasize that this person plans to always stay at this job. Job is stressed because it is the last important word in the thought group.
Now, repeat each sentence. Really emphasize the focus words.
Now, can you identify ALL the focus words in each sentence? Choose the focus words based on what you hear. Then, try to guess the context or feeling of the speaker as to why each word is stressed.
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1. I don’t need the bracelet, but I want it.
2. These trucks are so loud.
3. Are you really still upset?
1. Need is stressed to show that this bracelet is a desire. Want is stressed to show the contrast, and because it is the last important word in the group.
2. Trucks is stressed because it is an important content word. So is stressed to highlight that the trucks are VERY loud. Loud is stressed because it is descriptive, and the last important word in the group.
3. Really is stressed because the person is surprised or critical about the other person’s emotions. Upset is stressed because it is the last important word in the thought group.
Now, repeat each sentence. Really emphasize the focus words.
Extra Speaking Practice
Write one to two sentences to answer each question below. Then, circle which words are your focus words. Practice saying these sentences out loud, first reading, and then without looking at any notes. For an added challenge, experiment with changing a focus word and seeing how it sounds and how it changes the meaning or feeling of the sentence.
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1. When was the last time you went grocery shopping (online or in person)? What is one thing you bought?
2. Why did you choose your major?
3. What did you do yesterday?
4. What is your ideal work environment?
For more practice with thought groups and focus words, visit Thought Groups and Pausing.
For more practice with focus words as new or contrasting information, visit Highlighting, Contrasting and Clarifying, and Introducing New Information.
For more practice with focus words dealing with expressing emotion, visit Style and Tone.