This document discusses how to use emphasis effectively in academic essays. It notes that emphasis draws attention to important words, phrases, and ideas to keep an essay focused. Common emphasis techniques include underlining, using signal phrases like "above all" and "most importantly", and punctuation like colons and dashes. Proper emphasis enhances pacing and voice as long as the overall essay is well-organized and ideas are presented concisely. Rearranging sentences and combining techniques can also create emphasis.