When emphasizing a word it is best to rely on strong writing and strategic word placement to get your point across. Italics can be used to emphasize a certain fact in a sentence or a word. The downside of using italics and other font changes is that they lose their impact when overused! Before word processing, it was not uncommon to underline words to show emphasis. In writing, underlining can still be used and it would be correct.

Emphasis: English Grammar

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In any form of business writing or design, emphasizing can be a useful tool. Sometimes business communication is read quickly and is often skimmed, by placing emphasis on important elements, can help to get your message read and understood by the audience.

Five ways to Emphasise text:

Italics and Bold to emphasize text

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1. Italicize
   In the days of the typewriter, to emphasise words, underlining was the standard. Underlining can still be used to emphasize but why underline when you have flawlessly good italics? Italics present a sophisticated and somewhat gentle form of emphasis. You notice the text in italics and it does not provide an in-your-face sort of emphasis.

2. Bold
   When you are bolding phrases and key information it will certainly be noticed and will draw the eye more towards bold than italicized text. The Bold text is more powerful en easily recognizable than italics
   The Bold text is useful for emphasizing **dates, times and important requirements that need to be highlighted and noticed in documents.
   Like italics bolding should be used sparingly. Too much will water emphasis down and you will not have the effect you intended to have.

Change the font size to Empasize text

1. Change size
   To draw attention to a specific word, the font size can be changed by either making it larger or smaller than the rest of the text. The change must be noticeable enough to show your intentions.
   Changing the size of the text is a good method for creating Headings and signposts to separate text. Headings are expected to be larger than the normal text of the contents of the body.
   In using signposts to separate text, caution should be used not to throw off the spacing of the section. You may need to alter the spacing between letters or the space between words to make everything look right.

The use of Space to Emphasize

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1. The use of Space
   By leaving negative space around text, can really place emphasis on the text. Don't be afraid of leaving negative space. It draws attention and is another way to emphasize text.

Use of Colour to Emphasize

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1. Adding Color
   When adding colour to emphasize text, will break up the usual black on white. Colour should be chosen and used with caution. Use a colour that will best represent what you are trying to emphasize and do. If you need more colour than one, go for cool colours like blue that is less harsh. Red is a good colour for a zing of emphasis.
   Do not use too many colours, it will have less impact and no-one wants to read a text that looks like a rainbow.
   Use a colour that contrasts sharply with the background like the blue font on white paper. Use colours to reinforce the logic of your structure, like a light blue title and dark blue text. Use colour to emphasize a point, but do this only occasionally.
   When aiming to point the reader towards key facts and phrases, the use of introductory adverb phrases can be quite effective.
   
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Adverb Phrases

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Marks of Emphasis. Words may be emphasised by being underlined in writing or put into italics in prints.
For still stronger emphasis they may be written in block letters or printed in capitals.

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Examples: "Cohen's is not a shop: it is the shop. There is no other in the town."
"A black sheep is often a sheep as well as a sinner."

Source: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/sentence-emphasis/
EBH Joubert: English Grammar

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