A writer’s emphasis is the idea that gets the most weight in a passage. In first-language textual analysis you show it by pointing to evidence: space, position, contrast and the words that carry a judgement.
This skill opens First-language textual analysis and supports every later lesson in the module. Chinese passages stay in Simplified Chinese here, with pinyin for key phrases.
How do you find what a writer stresses?
Ask four questions of the passage, in this order.
- Space: which idea gets the longest or most detailed treatment?
- Position: what comes first or last in a sentence or paragraph?
- Contrast: what is set against what, and which side is described more warmly or firmly?
- Judgement words: which words state an opinion (比……更……, 本意, 真正)?
Then write one sentence that names the emphasis and one that quotes the evidence.
Worked example
Invented passage, written for this lesson:
新开的社区图书馆，书架只多了两排，阅览桌却换成了十二张。馆长说，来的人不一定借书，有的只是坐着；他认为，一个让人愿意坐下来的地方，比一个藏书很多的地方更接近图书馆的本意。
Question: what does the writer emphasise about the library?
Step 1, space. Books get a short clause (只多了两排, “only two more rows”). The tables get a bigger change (换成了十二张, “replaced with twelve”). The sentence spends its energy on seating.
Step 2, contrast. 只 (zhǐ, “only”) shrinks the books. 却 (què, “yet”) turns the sentence toward the tables.
Step 3, position and judgement. The final clause carries the opinion: 比……更接近图书馆的本意 (“closer to what a library is meant to be”). The writer ends on the claim.
Answer: The writer emphasises that a library’s value lies in being a place where people want to stay, not in how many books it holds. Evidence: 只多了两排 shrinks the books, 却换成了十二张 stresses the tables, and the closing judgement 更接近图书馆的本意 states the claim.
A common mistake
Weak answer: 作者强调图书馆很重要。
This names no evidence and could describe any passage about libraries. It also misses the actual emphasis, which is about seats over books.
Correction: name the specific idea (a place to stay), then quote the words that show it (只多了两排, 却换成了十二张).
Self-check
Read the passage again, then answer.
- Which single word in the first sentence turns attention from books to tables?
Show answer
却 (què). It signals a turn: books grew a little, yet the tables changed a lot.- Why is 有的只是坐着 (“some simply sit”) important to the emphasis?
Show answer
It shows that visitors value the space itself, not only borrowing. This supports the closing claim, so the writer places it just before the judgement.- Write one sentence naming the emphasis, with one quotation.
Show answer
Sample: The writer stresses that a welcoming space matters more than a large collection, shown by 书架只多了两排, 阅览桌却换成了十二张.Where next?
Move on to Explain a language choice using precise evidence, then test yourself with the mixed practice set. The summary selection studio helps you practise choosing the evidence that matters.
If you would like someone to read your answers alongside you, see Chinese tuition.