# Emphasizing words
<a name="emphasis-tag"></a>

*<emphasis>*

This tag is supported only by the standard TTS format.

To emphasize words, use the <emphasis> tag. Emphasizing words changes the speaking rate and volume. More emphasis makes Amazon Polly speak the text louder and slower. Less emphasis makes it speak quieter and faster. To specify the degree of emphasis, use the `level` attribute.

`level` attribute values:
+ `Strong`: Increases the volume and slows the speaking rate so that the speech is louder and slower.
+ `Moderate`: Increases the volume and slows the speaking rate, but less than `strong`. `Moderate` is the default. 
+ `Reduced`: Decreases the volume and speeds up the speaking rate. Speech is softer and faster.

**Note**  
The normal speaking rate and volume for a voice falls between the `moderate` and `reduced` levels.

For example:

```
<speak>I already told you I <emphasis level="strong">really like</emphasis> that person.</speak>
```