What Are Hedges?
Hedging your writing will make your sentences seem vague and unconvincing; but how can you tell if you are using hedges?
If your writing often features words such as ‘would’ or ‘can’ or ‘might’, then you are hedging your writing.
Saying ‘This might mean that the dog was brown’ shows that you as the writer are unsure if the point you are making is accurate. Instead, try ‘The description indicates that the dog is brown’. This is still tentative enough to allow for your own interpretation of the text but shows the reader that you are sure of your point. From your reading, the dog is brown.
How do I benefit from modality?
Would, can and might are all forms of modal verbs. Depending on which modal verbs you choose, you can make your writing more authoritative or you can hedge your point.
Modal verbs that can be used in your writing to show you believe the point you are making include clearly, clear, certainly and definitely. These can be used within sentences such as: