Page 337 - English - Teaching Academic Esl Writing

HEDGING IN ACADEMIC TEXT IN ENGLISH 323
Adjective and adverb hedges differ in the degree of their formality, se- mantic complexity, and frequencies of occurrence. Formal hedges are pre- dominant in academic written discourse. In teaching these can be contrasted with informal conversational hedges to bring learners' attention to distinctions between formal and academic writing and informal lan- guage uses.
It is important for L2 academic writers to note the differences among various English-language registers, and focusing on hedges represents only one means of instructional practice.
Formal Hedges Employed in Academic Writing
about
according to (+ noun) actually
apparent(-ly) approximate(-ly) broad(-ly)
clear(-ly) comparative(-ly) essential(-ly)
fairly
likely
merely
most (+ adjective) nearly
normal(-ly) partially partly potential(-ly)
presumably relatively)
relative to
slightly somehow somewhat
sufficiently theoretically
unlikely
On the other hand, items such as those listed next are prevalent in con- versational discourse. Therefore, their frequent use in academic writingcan markthetextasexcessivelycasual,informal,andsomewhat inappropriate.
almost
at all
at least
basically
dead (+ adjective)
enough (a)few hardly
just
(a) little
only pretty quite
Common Informal and Conversational Hedges
In the teaching of L2 academic writing, however, it is not necessary that learners undertake to use many of these hedges. Students simply need to have ready access to a stock of these words and phrases that can be used in- terchangeably throughout their essays and assignments, in combination
TLFeBOOK