Week 9 Hedging
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The document discusses hedging, which refers to using cautious or tentative language in academic writing. This is important because research and theories are constantly being updated. Hedging helps reflect the strength of evidence used to support an argument. It provides examples of hedging language, such as modal verbs like "may" or "might" and verbs like "seems" or "appears." Direct, assertive language like "proves" or "absolutely" is not considered hedging. The document emphasizes using cautious language in research papers to avoid claims that cannot be definitively supported.
Week 9 Hedging
- 1. Hedging
- 2. Learning Outcome 1. Use hedging or cautious language in research paper writing
- 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
- 15. Practice
Editor's Notes
- #6: 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
- #8: but it is not always as obvious as avoiding “clearly” “definitely” or “always”