What are the best ways to use hedging in academic writing?

1 What is hedging?

Hedging is the utilization of linguistic devices that point to the level of certainty, probability, or likelihood of a statement. Examples of hedging devices include modal verbs (e.g., can, could, may, might, should, would), adverbs (e.g., possibly, probably, likely, apparently, seemingly), adjectives (e.g., possible, probable, likely, apparent, tentative, hypothetical), nouns (e.g., possibility, probability, likelihood, evidence, suggestion, assumption), and verbs (e.g., suggest, indicate, imply, assume, propose, claim). For instance: the sentence "Smoking causes lung cancer" makes a strong and definitive claim that is not hedged; whereas the sentence "Smoking may cause lung cancer" uses the modal verb may to hedge the claim and signal that there is some uncertainty or variation in the causal relationship.

2 Why is hedging important?

Hedging is important for several reasons in academic writing. First, hedging can help you acknowledge the limitations of your data, methods, sources, or arguments and avoid over-generalizing or over-simplifying your findings or conclusions. For example, you can use hedging to qualify the scope, applicability, or validity of your results or claims. Second, hedging can help you demonstrate your critical thinking and evaluation skills by showing that you are aware of the gaps, inconsistencies, or contradictions in the existing literature or evidence and that you are open to alternative interpretations or explanations. For example, you can use hedging to compare, contrast, or balance different perspectives or viewpoints. Third, hedging can help you establish your credibility and authority as a writer by showing that you are cautious, careful, and respectful of the complexity and uncertainty of your topic and that you are not making unwarranted or exaggerated claims. For example, you can use hedging to signal your confidence, doubt, or stance towards a statement or source.

3 How to use hedging effectively?

When using hedging in academic writing, you need to consider the purpose, context, and audience of your writing and adjust the level and type of hedging accordingly. Here are some tips to help you use hedging effectively. Hedging should be used when making claims or arguments that are based on incomplete, insufficient, or uncertain evidence or that are open to challenge or debate by other researchers or experts. It is also appropriate when reporting or summarizing the findings, conclusions, or opinions of other sources. Additionally, hedging can be used when expressing your own opinion, perspective, or stance on a topic that is controversial, complex, or subjective. However, it is important to avoid over-hedging or under-hedging your statements; you need to balance the degree and frequency of hedging and choose the most appropriate and precise hedging devices for your statements.

4 How to choose the right hedging devices?

The choice of hedging devices for your statements depends on the level of certainty, probability, or possibility that you want to convey and the tone and style that you want to adopt. For instance, modal verbs such as can, could, may, might, should, and would can indicate various degrees of possibility, probability, obligation, or permission. Adverbs like possibly, probably, likely, apparently, and seemingly can modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs and express different levels of likelihood, evidence, or inference. Adjectives like possible, probable, likely, apparent, tentative, and hypothetical can modify nouns or noun phrases to show various degrees of possibility, probability, evidence, or assumption. Nouns such as possibility, probability, likelihood, evidence, suggestion and assumption can be used as subjects or objects of verbs or as complements of prepositions to indicate different degrees of possibility, probability, evidence or assumption. Additionally, verbs like suggest, indicate imply assume propose and claim can be used as main verbs or verbs of reporting or attribution to express various degrees of certainty inference or stance.

5 How to check your hedging?

To check your hedging, you can read your writing aloud to assess the tone and clarity of your statements. Utilizing a highlighter or a different color font to mark the hedging devices you have used can help you determine whether they match the level and type of hedging you want to convey. Moreover, asking a peer, colleague or tutor to review your writing and provide feedback on your hedging can be beneficial. This can help you understand if they understand your claims or arguments, agree or disagree with your level and type of hedging, and have any suggestions or questions for improvement.