Entry #18 - HEDGING and BOOSTING

Hedging:

Hyland (1995) - "Hedging is the expression of tentativeness and the possibility in language use" and that, "[i]t represents an absence of certainty and is used to describe any linguistic item or strategy employed to indicate either a lack of commitment to the truth value of an accompanying proposition or a desire not to express that commitment categorically."

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.

Example 2:
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)

Boosting
An adverbial construction used to support a claim or express a viewpoint more assertively and convincingly. 

Example 1:
Clearly, these sale figures show a definite increase in consumer confidence, which will undoubtedly have an impact on our share price.

Example 2:
Employees will always respond positively in such circumstances.

Example 3:
Certainly, this has had an impact on learning outcomes.

Example 4:
This will have an impact on future research in the field.

Example 5:
These figures prove that there has been strong growth as a result of policy change.

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HEDGING AND BOOSTING

THE IMPORTANCE OF HEDGING AND BOOSTING