ELT365 · Day 202 — Academic Writing at B2+: Hedging Language

Idea — Academic writing requires hedging — language that marks claims as tentative rather than absolute: “suggests,” “appears to,” “it is possible that.” Over-claiming is a register error, not just style.

Example — “Exercise cures depression” is an over-claim. “Research suggests exercise may reduce symptoms of depression” hedges accurately and reflects the evidence.

Try — Give learners three absolute statements on a familiar topic. Ask them to rewrite each as a hedged academic claim using modal verbs or reporting verbs.

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