Entry #11 HEDGING and BOOSTING

 Entry #11: HEDGING and BOOSTING in academic writing

Retrieved from Video on Hedging (last visited Oct 3rd, 2020)

According to Crompton (1997), hedging is the name for "... a linguistic strategy allowing the author to avoid committing to the [absolut]   truth of a preposition [or statement or claim]". In the Academic Writing field, we resort to hedging techniques in order to mitigate the strength of our statements, showing that we are aware of the fact that there are other points of view, as valid as ours. Hedging makes our statements look less threatening before possible divergent views, and it conveys a feeling of non absoluteness.

In other words...

Let's see some examples of the use of hedging techniques in these pairs of sentences:

• a) The issues highlighted in this study are applicable to all participating institutions.
• b) The issues highlighted in this study may be applicable to many participating institutions.

• a) Government support will assure the spread of new knowledge and the skills necessary to use the  Internet to thousands of people in rural areas. 
• b) Government support may help with the spread of new knowledge and the skills necessary to use the  Internet to thousands of people in rural areas. 

• a) The study proves the link between smoking and lung disease.
• b) The study indicates/suggests the link between smoking and lung disease. 

• a) The number of unemployed people will continue to raise as the poor economic situation  persists.
• b) The number of unemployed people will probably continue to raise as the poor economic situation persists.

• a) These (and subsequent) studies led to the conclusion that GTP itself must be the elusive base, and therefore to the proposal of GTP-as-base mechanism.
• b) These (and subsequent) studies led to the conclusion that GTP itself may be the elusive base, and therefore to the proposal of GTP-as-base mechanism.

In the previous pairs of sentences, we have categorical claims (a) and hedged claims (b). We can note how the degree of certainty in the "b" versions descends, as the enunciator takes a prudent distance from the statement. This can be done through the use of certain verbs, adverbs or modal verbs, as the examples show.

HEDGING ALLOWS THE WRITER/RESEARCHER TO:

In Academic Writing, writers/researchers use hedging techniques for two reasons:

1. To tone down their statements in order to reduce the threat of opposition from other researchers.
2. To avoid overstating their results, as they are aware that theirs may not be the final word on the issue. 

More on hedging (retrieved from video #2 Boosting and hedging in writing)

Adverbs of frequency that can be used to soften what we are stating:

 usually, often, normally, generally, sometimes

Adverbs or adjectives of certainty that can be used with the same purpose:

possible, probable, likely, maybe, perhaps,generally speaking,  possibly, probably

As for modal verbs that are used as softeners, we find:

may, might, could

Or we can choose verbs such as:

tend to, suggest, appear, seem

But be careful not to use too many of those together, or it will lead to repetition or tautology.

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Whereas hedging softens a statement, boosting strengthens it

Once we understand the meaning and effects of hedging, we can simply move to the opposite end to find out what boosting is. When we want to present a strong point of view, leaving no room for doubt this, time, we resort to certain words that reinforce the power of our convictions.

Some boosting "magic" words are:

 Let's take a look at the following sentences to see boosters in action:

Clearly, these sales figures show a definite increase in consumer confidence, which will undoubtedly have an impact on our share price.

Employees will always respond positively in such circumstances.

Information retrieved from Boosting and hedging in writing (last visited Oct. 3, 2020)

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Metacognitive reflection 

Hedgers and boosters are like the air that we breathe: they have always been there, although we often don't notice them. Even within the previous statement we find them, like low-profile workers, doing their small, yet crucial job. We don't need to be academic writers to include them in our personal lexicon, but the more aware we are of the benefits that using them well may bring, the more we gain in terms of skilful communication. After narrowing the focus on the use of both styles of modifiers, their discreet presence becomes more visible before my eyes whenever I read or write. Making them our allies is a smart step towards the refinement of our statements, assuming that we want to convey our ideas accurately, highlighting our certainties and dimming the arguable or controversial.