Hedging Practice

Types of Claim & Hedging

New academic writers tend to overstate their claims because they think it makes their claim stronger. In fact, the opposite is true: a strongly worded argument is usually easy to disprove and is therefore a weak, invalid argument. Compare the two endings to the sentence below. Which is easier to believe? Your reader is more likely to be convinced by accurate, factual statements that lead to a logical well-constructed conclusion. ,

discrimination will be totally elimated.

If people understand cultural differences and diversity more

it is likely that discrimination will be reduced.

they will become more aware of their own biases.

they will understand their own biases.

Types of Claim & Hedging

QUALIFIED (HEDGED)

Absolute

It appears to be/It would appear to be...

It is

likely/unlikely

improve the situation

may/might/could (not)

a minority of/hardly any

never

certainly

If people exercise more, they will be healthy and live a long life

a majority of/most

all/every

frequently/usually/often/tend to

possibly

impossible

several/numerous

none/no

destroy/eliminate

solve the problem

always

reduce/weaken

This solution will make Tokyo safe

It is difficult to participate in modern society without the internet.

We cannot survive without the internet nowadays

If people exercise more, they will be healthier and live a longer life

rarely

This solution will help make Tokyo safer

will / will not

Types of Claim & Hedging

QUALIFIED (HEDGED)

Absolute

never

rarely

may/might/could (not)

will / will not

certainly

possibly

frequently/usually/often/tend to

always

all/every

a majority of/most

several/numerous

none/no

a minority of/hardly any

likely/unlikely

impossible

reduce/weaken

destroy/eliminate

improve the situation

solve the problem

If people exercise more, they will be healthy and live a long life

If people exercise more, they will be healthier and live a longer life

This solution will help make Tokyo safer

This solution will make Tokyo safe

It is difficult to participate in modern society without the internet.

We cannot survive without the internet nowadays

Types of Claim & Hedging

Here are some examples of overstated positions from past student essays. Are they true statements? Can you hedge them to make them more accurate? (Press the icon below for suggested answers) 1. Education in Japan at junior high school does not teach critical thinking. 2. This situation confuses junior high school teachers because it is hard for them to teach English to students who have different levels of English. 3. This shows us that junior high school students do not follow the rules. 4. Secondly, Japanese elementary school teachers are not experts in teaching English Remember, in deductive and in inductive thinking, if your premise is inaccurate or imprecise, your conclusion is likely to be inaccurate too. This weakens your entire argument.

Types of Claim & Hedging

What have you learned about the use of language when making claims? How will this change the way you present your ideas when you write?