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Hedging in Academic Writing

Expressing Certainty and Uncertainty

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Which statement sounds more academic?

A

Social media causes depression in teenagers.

B

Social media may contribute to depression in some teenagers.

Discuss with a partner: What's the difference? Why might one be better?

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What did you notice?

Key ideas:

• Statement A: ___________________

• Statement B: ___________________

(Space for class elicitation - write student ideas here)

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Pattern Recognition

Read these sentences. What do the highlighted words/phrases do?

1. The results suggest that climate change is accelerating.

2. It appears that remote work can improve productivity.

3. This may indicate a shift in consumer behavior.

4. The data seems to support the hypothesis.

Work individually: Circle or underline the hedging language

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Compare with a Partner

Discuss:

1. Which words/phrases did you identify?

2. What do they have in common?

3. Why would a writer use these?

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What is Hedging?

Hedging = Making claims less direct or certain

Why do academics hedge?

✓ To show appropriate caution

✓ To avoid overgeneralizing

✓ To acknowledge limitations

✓ To sound more professional and credible

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Types of Hedging Language

Group the hedging devices from earlier. What categories can you create?

may • suggest • seems • appears • can • might •

indicate • could • tend to • often • sometimes

In groups: Sort these into 2-3 categories

Category 1:

Category 2:

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Common Types of Hedging

Modal Verbs

may, might, could,

can, would

Example:

This may explain...

Tentative Verbs

suggest, indicate,

appear, seem, tend

Example:

The data suggests...

Adverbs & Adverbials

possibly, probably,

perhaps, often, generally

Example:

This is probably due to...

Phrases

it is likely that,

it is possible that,

there is evidence that

Example:

It is likely that...

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Practice: Add Hedging

Rewrite these sentences to make them more academic. Add appropriate hedging.

1. Technology is making people less social.

→ _________________________________

2. This method improves learning outcomes.

→ _________________________________

3. The economy will recover next year.

→ _________________________________

Work in pairs: How many different ways can you hedge each sentence?

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Possible Versions

Compare your answers. Are there differences? Which sounds better? Why?

1. Original: Technology is making people less social.

→ Technology may be contributing to reduced social interaction.

2. Original: This method improves learning outcomes.

→ This method appears to improve learning outcomes.

3. Original: The economy will recover next year.

→ The economy could potentially recover next year.

(These are suggestions - discuss student versions!)

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⚠️ Be Careful: Over-Hedging

TOO MUCH: "It might possibly seem that this could perhaps suggest..."

BETTER: "This may suggest..." or "The evidence suggests..."

Rule: Usually one hedging device per clause is enough!

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Apply It: Your Writing

Task:

Write a short paragraph (4-5 sentences) about:

"The effects of AI on education" OR

"The relationship between exercise and mental health"

Include at least 3 different hedging devices.

Then exchange with a partner:

• Underline the hedging language

• Discuss: Is it appropriate? Too much/too little?

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Key Takeaways

✓ Hedging makes claims more cautious and academic

✓ Use modals, tentative verbs, adverbs, and phrases

✓ Don't over-hedge – one device per clause is usually enough

✓ Practice noticing hedging in academic texts you read

Questions?