Learn English - Hedging And Boosting

Summary

This video explains the concepts of hedging and boosting in academic writing. Hedging softens statements to avoid making strong claims, often using adverbs, adjectives, modal verbs, and tentative language. Boosting, on the other hand, strengthens statements to present a strong viewpoint, utilizing definite words, strong verbs, and certain modal verbs. The video provides examples for both techniques, highlighting their importance in writing across disciplines, especially in the arts and social sciences. Understanding when to use each style and recognizing cultural differences in writing are key takeaways.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hedging language softens statements to avoid making overgeneralized claims, which is useful in academic writing.
• 😀 Boosting language strengthens statements to make a strong point of view, aiming to persuade the reader.
• 😀 Common hedging techniques include using adverbs of frequency (usually, often) and adjectives of certainty (likely, maybe).
• 😀 Modal verbs like 'may', 'might', and 'could' help hedge ideas by expressing uncertainty.
• 😀 Tentative verbs can also be used to hedge statements, indicating a more cautious approach.
• 😀 Boosting language often includes adverbs (e.g., always, never), strong modal verbs (e.g., will, should), and verbs like 'prove' and 'show'.
• 😀 Hedging and boosting language differ by subject area, with hedging being more common in the Arts and Social Sciences.
• 😀 Cultural differences may influence the use of hedging or boosting; some cultures may favor boosting more than others.
• 😀 In English academic writing, hedging is generally more common than boosting, especially when dealing with uncertain information.
• 😀 It's crucial to understand when to hedge and when to boost based on the writing context and discipline.
• 😀 Reading expert writers in your field helps you identify the appropriate use of hedging and boosting in academic writing.

Q & A

What is hedging in academic writing?

Hedging is the use of language to soften a statement, making it less absolute. It is used when the writer wants to avoid making a strong claim or to express uncertainty or caution about the information presented.

Why is hedging important in academic writing?

Hedging is important because it allows the writer to present claims more cautiously, acknowledging that the available data may not be definitive or complete, thus avoiding overgeneralization.

What are some common ways to introduce hedging in writing?

Common ways to introduce hedging include using adverbs of frequency (e.g., usually, often), adverbs or adjectives of certainty (e.g., possibly, likely), modal verbs (e.g., may, might), and tentative verbs (e.g., suggest, indicate).

What is the difference between the sentences 'students arrive late for Monday morning classes' and 'students tend to arrive late for Monday morning classes'?

The first sentence makes a general statement, implying that all students always arrive late, while the second sentence uses 'tend to' to suggest that it's a common but not universal behavior, thus introducing hedging.

How do adverbs like 'usually', 'normally', or 'generally' contribute to hedging?

These adverbs help to indicate frequency in a less definitive manner, suggesting that something happens often but not always, which reduces the certainty of the claim.

What is boosting in academic writing?

Boosting is the use of language to strengthen a statement, making it more definitive and assertive. It is used to present a strong point of view and convince the reader of the author's position.

What are some common ways to introduce boosting in writing?

Common ways to boost a statement include using adverbs of frequency (e.g., always, never), adjectives of certainty (e.g., certain, obvious), modal verbs (e.g., will, should), and strong verbs (e.g., prove, show).

Can you provide an example of a sentence using boosting language?

An example of a boosted sentence is: 'Clearly, these sales figures show a definite increase in consumer confidence, which will undoubtedly have an impact on our share prices.' This shows a strong, definitive point of view.

What is the difference between hedging and boosting in the context of the sentence about sales figures?

Hedging: 'These sales figures suggest a possible increase in consumer confidence, which may have an impact on our share prices.' Boosting: 'Clearly, these sales figures show a definite increase in consumer confidence, which will undoubtedly have an impact on our share prices.' Hedging presents the information tentatively, while boosting presents it with certainty.

When is it more appropriate to hedge or boost in academic writing?

Hedging is more commonly used in situations where the writer needs to express caution or uncertainty, especially in fields like the social sciences. Boosting is typically used when the writer wants to present a strong argument or make a definitive claim, often seen in the hard sciences.