What is hedging?
The concept of hedging has evolved over the years:
1972: Lakoff defines it as words that can make a statement less clear or absolut.
1995: Hyland sustains that hedging is the expression of tentativeness and possibility in language use. It is also considered a collection of words or language strategies that allows a writer to make a statement without implying that he or she believes in it.
1997: Crompton states that hedging is a linguistic strategy allowing the author to avoid committing to the absolute truth of a proposition , statement or claim.
1998: Skelton believes that without hedging, the world is purely propositional , a rigid place where things either are the case or not. This kind of system allows language to be more flexible and the world more subtle.
In short, Hedging implies a strategy used to soften what we want to say in order to avoid making too strong a claim.
Why is it important in Academic Writing?
Academic Writing is the language which is used to convey answers to research questions supported by arguments. These arguments are based on claims made by an individual which are then supported with evidence and hedging is an fundamental part of this process.
Strategies to hedge claims in an Academic Writing
1. The use of Lexical verbs such as, assume, indicate, suggest, estimate, appear etc.
2. The use of Adverbial Constructions included often, almost, usually, certainly etc.
3. The use of Modal verbs.
What is Boosting?
Boosting is the opposite of Hedging. It is used to show writer´s strong point of view and persuade the reader using this point of view.
Example 1:
Employees will always respond positively in such circumstances.
Example 2:
Certainly, this has had an impact on learning outcomes.
Example 3:
This will have an impact on future research in the field.
Example 4:
PODCAST 2: BOOSTING
PODCAST 3: A PIECE OF ADVICE
The concept of hedging has evolved over the years:
1972: Lakoff defines it as words that can make a statement less clear or absolut.
1995: Hyland sustains that hedging is the expression of tentativeness and possibility in language use. It is also considered a collection of words or language strategies that allows a writer to make a statement without implying that he or she believes in it.
1997: Crompton states that hedging is a linguistic strategy allowing the author to avoid committing to the absolute truth of a proposition , statement or claim.
1998: Skelton believes that without hedging, the world is purely propositional , a rigid place where things either are the case or not. This kind of system allows language to be more flexible and the world more subtle.
In short, Hedging implies a strategy used to soften what we want to say in order to avoid making too strong a claim.
Example 1:
- Categorical claim: The issues highlighted in this study are applicable to all participating institutions.
- Hedged claim: The issues highlighted in this study may be applicable to many participating institutions.
- Categorical claim: Government support will assure the spread of new knowledge and the skills necessary to use the internet to thousands of people in rural areas.
- Hedged claim: Government support may help the spread of new knowledge and the skills necessary to use the internet to thousands of people in rural areas.
Example 3:
- Categorical claim: The study proves the link between smoking and lung disease.
- Hedged claim: The study indicates/suggest the (possible) link between smoking and lung disease.
Example 4:
- Categorical claim: The number of unemployed people will continue to raise as the poor economic situation persists.
- Hedged claim: The number of unemployed people will probably continue to raise as the poor economic situation persists.
Example 5:
- Categorical claim: This (and subsequent) studies led to the conclusion that GTP itself must be elusive base, and therefore to the proposal of the GTP-as-base (Schweins et al 1994, 1995)
- Hedged claim: This (and subsequent) studies led to the conclusion that GTP itself may be elusive base, and therefore to the proposal of the GTP-as-base (Schweins et al 1994, 1995)
Why is it important in Academic Writing?
Academic Writing is the language which is used to convey answers to research questions supported by arguments. These arguments are based on claims made by an individual which are then supported with evidence and hedging is an fundamental part of this process.
Strategies to hedge claims in an Academic Writing
1. The use of Lexical verbs such as, assume, indicate, suggest, estimate, appear etc.
2. The use of Adverbial Constructions included often, almost, usually, certainly etc.
3. The use of Modal verbs.
What is Boosting?
Boosting is the opposite of Hedging. It is used to show writer´s strong point of view and persuade the reader using this point of view.
Example 1:
Employees will always respond positively in such circumstances.
Example 2:
Certainly, this has had an impact on learning outcomes.
Example 3:
This will have an impact on future research in the field.
Example 4:
These figures prove that there has been strong growth as a result of policy change.
To conclude, we can say that hedging and boosting are two strategies which are used in academic writing. Hedging is a linguistic strategy allowing the author to avoid commiting to the absolute truth or a proposition, statement or claim. In contrast, boosting is used to show writer´s strong point of view and persuade the reader using this point of view. Academic writers resort to hedging and boosting to distinguish opinion from fact and evaluate their assertions in acceptable and persuasive ways.
PODCAST 1: HEDGING
To conclude, we can say that hedging and boosting are two strategies which are used in academic writing. Hedging is a linguistic strategy allowing the author to avoid commiting to the absolute truth or a proposition, statement or claim. In contrast, boosting is used to show writer´s strong point of view and persuade the reader using this point of view. Academic writers resort to hedging and boosting to distinguish opinion from fact and evaluate their assertions in acceptable and persuasive ways.
I found this video about hedging really interesting
and these two articles about both topics: https://natureofwriting.com/hedges-and-boosters/
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/dd52/e9e7b01435d16ab5d19d1bc59d00a4212d1a.pdf
Finally , we (Sanchez Aquino Ignacio, Meza Bernardina and me) create three podcast about these important topics.
Finally , we (Sanchez Aquino Ignacio, Meza Bernardina and me) create three podcast about these important topics.
PODCAST 2: BOOSTING
PODCAST 3: A PIECE OF ADVICE
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