Identify any instances of hedging in the following ( underline ). Add where appropriate :
The birth rate has fallen dramatically in many parts of the world .
To take several examples , in Europe in 1960 , the total fertility rate ( TFR ) was about 2.6 births per female , but in 1996 it had fallen to 1.4 ( Chesnais , 1998 ).
In many Asian countries , similar declines have been experienced . Japan now has a birthrate of only about 1.3 , and Hong Kong ’ s has fallen to below 1.0 ( Ichimura & Ogawa , 2000 ).
A TFR of below 2.0 means that a country ’ s population is not replaced , and thus there is a net population decline .
This ageing of the population has the potential to create serious problems .
Fewer children being born means that in the long term , a smaller proportion of the populace will be economically productive , whilst a larger proportion will be old and economically dependent – in the form of pension , health care and other social services .
Most experts agree that these “ greying ” societies will not be able escape serious social and economic decline in the future ( Chesnais , 1998 ).
HEDGING & MODALITY : NEVER SAY NEVER
HEDGING It is often believed that academic writing , particularly scientific writing , is factual , simply to convey facts and information . However , it is now recognized that an important feature of academic writing is the concept of cautious language , often called “ hedging ” or “ vague language ”. In other words , it is necessary to make decisions about your stance on a particular subject , or the strength of the claims you are making . Language used in hedging :
1 . Introductory verbs : e . g . seem , tend , look like , appear to be , think , believe , doubt , be sure , indicate , suggest 2 . Certain lexical verbs e . g . believe , assume , suggest 3 . Certain modal verbs : e . g . will , must , would , may , might , could 4 . Adverbs of frequency e . g . often , sometimes , usually 4 . Modal adverbs e . g . certainly , definitely , clearly , probably , possibly , perhaps , conceivably , 5 . Modal adjectives e . g . certain , definite , clear , probable , possible 6 . Modal nouns e . g . assumption , possibility , probability 7 . That clauses e . g . It could be the case that . e . g . It might be suggested that . e . g . There is every hope that .
8 . To-clause + adjective e . g . It may be possible to obtain . e . g . It is important to develop . e . g . It is useful to study .
What is a categorical statement ? What is a position building statement ? Identify these types of sentences in the following extract :
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