3. Hedging
Because research and theories are being developed and updated all the
time, writers tend to use cautious or tentative language.
This is sometimes called “Hedging”
The language used in academic writing should reflect the amount of
strength of evidence to support a topic or claim.
Which sentence is an example of “hedging”?
1. The data in Figure 1 suggest that tertiary students tend not to speak
English very frequently outside class .
2. It is obvious that students never speak English outside class.
4. Hedging
Because research and theories are being developed and updated all the
time, writers tend to use cautious or tentative language.
This is sometimes called “Hedging”
The language used in academic writing should reflect the amount of
strength of evidence to support a topic or claim.
Which sentence is an example of “hedging”?
1. The data in Figure 1 suggest that tertiary students tend not to speak
English very frequently outside class .
2. It is obvious that students never speak English outside class.
5. Four reasons to hedge
Hedging….
1. reduces the risk of opposition.
2. is more precise in reporting results.
3. shows the writer as humble rather than arrogant or
all-knowing.
4. shows awareness of academic writing style in
English.
6. Using cautious language / Hedging
When you discuss ideas or data in your written assignments,
you should use cautious rather than assertive language. This
means that you should avoid adverbs such as:
clearly obviously
without a
doubt
certainly
undoubtedly definitely
there is no
doubt that
absolutely
(result / evidence) is / shows that / says that / proves
Or verbs like
7. Cautious language
Language that is not cautious
There is no doubt that Jennings’ (2010) research shows that smoking tobacco causes lung
cancer.
Smith’s (2011) evidence proves that greenhouse gases definitely have an effect on the
climate.
Cautious language
Jennings’ (2010) research would appear to show that smoking tobacco may cause lung
cancer.
Smith’s (2011) evidence suggests that greenhouse gases may have an effect on the climate.
8. Some of the
language for
hedging
includes…
Modal verbs
may / may not
might / might not
can / could
Verbs
seem(s) to
appear(s) to
tend(s) to
indicate(s)
suggest(s)
contribute(s)
Adjectives
possible
some
many / most
Adverbs
possible
likely
generally
often / usually
9. What do you think of these sentences in a
research paper?
1. There is no doubt that forests are the most important thing in the
world.
2. Research clearly proves that it is much better for your health to
drink red wine than beer.
3. Organic food obviously tastes better.
4. Marijuana is definitely not a beneficial choice in our lives.
5. As we all know, plastic surgery always has many negative side
effects.
10. Sample Answers:
1. Forests seem to be the most important things in the world.
2. Research suggests that it is much better for your health to drink red
wine than beer.
3. Organic food generally tastes better.
4. Marijuana appears not a beneficial choice in our lives.
5. Plastic surgery usually has many negative side effects.
11. Make a hedged
statement
about the topic
you are
researching
Modal verbs
may / may not
might / might not
can / could
Verbs
seem(s) to
appear(s) to
tend(s) to
indicate(s)
suggest(s)
contribute(s)
Adjectives
possible
some
many / most
Adverbs
possible
likely
generally
often / usually
12. Two articles on Gun Violence in the USA
1. New York Times editorial
2. Excerpt from an Academic Paper
QUESTIONS TO GO WITH THE ARTICLES
1. Who is the audience for each of the articles?
2. What is the purpose of each of the articles?
3. Which one is more hedged? Underline some examples.
4. Does the academic article agree with the claims made in the editorial?
5. Do you agree with the claims in the editorial?
13. 2 Articles / Vocabulary List
Look at the vocabulary list. In small teams, write some hedged sentences
about gun control that everyone would agree with.
For example:
It is possible that gun control will become stricter as a result of the
shooting incident.
The findings from the study suggest that gun control does not seem to
reduce crime, but crime does tend to increase the demand for gun
control.
14. Follow-up assignment
Now write a paragraph you might want to use (or have
already used) in your own literature review, making sure your
language is cautious.
Peer-check
Teacher feedback
By hedging, authors tone down their statements in order to
Writers want their readers to know that they do not claim to have the final word on the subject. Expressing a lack of certainty does not necessarily show confusion or vagueness. One could consider hedges as ways of being
Hedges may be understood as positive or negative politeness strategies in which the writer tries to appear
A certain degree of hedging has become conventionalized; hedging now functions to conform to an
but it is not always as obvious as avoiding “clearly” “definitely” or “always”
