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C1 · Unit 4
Hedging & stance · cautious academic claims
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Hedging & Stance

In this unit, students learn to express cautious, credible claims by controlling strength and showing stance. Core tools: may, might, tends to, appears to, arguably, and evidence-based framing.

Objectives Why Hedge? Claim Strength Language Toolkit Examples Discussion Writing Task Feedback Materials

SWBAT (Objectives)

  • Distinguish between strong claims, cautious claims, and speculation.
  • Use hedging language (may, tends to, appears to, arguably) accurately and naturally.
  • Support claims with evidence-based framing (“This suggests that…”).
  • Adjust stance for audience and purpose (academic writing, professional reports, discussion).
  • Edit overconfident or vague sentences to become credible and precise.

Why Hedge?

Academic credibility

Hedging shows you understand limitations and avoid overclaiming. It signals careful reasoning and respect for evidence.

Professional diplomacy

In meetings and reports, cautious language reduces conflict and keeps discussion open. (“There may be a risk…” vs “This will fail.”)

Better thinking

Hedging helps you separate what you know, what you infer, and what you guess. That distinction is a C1 skill.

Why Hedge? (PDF) Stance Vocabulary (PDF)

Claim Strength Scale

Very strong (often too strong)
“This proves…” · “This always happens…” · “There is no doubt that…”
Strong but reasonable
“This suggests…” · “Evidence indicates…” · “It is likely that…”
Cautious / academic
“It may be that…” · “It appears to…” · “X tends to…” · “Arguably…”
Speculation (label it clearly)
“It’s possible that…” · “One explanation could be…” · “This might mean…”
Claim Strength Scale (PDF)

Hedging Toolkit (Language Choices)

Modal verbs

may / might / could + verb
“This may indicate…” · “The results might suggest…”

Tendency verbs

tends to / often / generally / typically
“Users tend to prefer…” (not “always”)

Appearance / inference

appears to / seems to / suggests that
“It appears to be driven by…” · “This suggests that…”

Stance adverbs & framing

arguably / broadly / to some extent / in many cases
“Arguably, this approach…” · “To some extent, this reflects…”

Common mistake

Don’t hedge so much that you become unclear. Compare:
Too weak: “It might maybe kind of be possible that…”
Better: “It may be the case that…”

Hedging Phrase Bank (PDF) Strong → Cautious Rewrites (PDF)

Examples (Upgrade Credibility)

Overconfident → Academic
Too strong: “Remote work increases productivity.”
Better: “Remote work may increase productivity in some contexts.”
Evidence framing
“The survey results suggest that younger users tend to prefer short-form content.”
Arguably (stance)
“Arguably, strict policies can improve consistency, although they may reduce flexibility.”
Examples Pack (PDF)

Discussion (Stance in Real Time)

Prompt A

“Universities should require in-person attendance.”
Use at least 3 hedging phrases in your argument.

Prompt B

“Social media does more harm than good.”
Make one strong claim, then soften it into a cautious claim.

Rules
  • No “always/never” unless you can justify it.
  • Use evidence framing (“This suggests…”).
  • Ask one clarification question per round.
Discussion Cards (PDF)

Writing Task: Cautious Mini-Argument (150–190 words)

Choose ONE topic
  • Remote work and productivity
  • AI tools in education
  • Public transit funding
  • Phone bans in schools
Requirements
  • Include 6 hedging items (e.g., may, tends to, arguably)
  • Include 2 evidence frames (“This suggests that…”)
  • Include 1 limitation sentence (“However, this may depend on…”)
  • Avoid vague hedging (“kind of”, “maybe”)
Structure

Claim → support → counterpoint (hedged) → conclusion (balanced stance)

Writing Template (PDF) Hedging Checklist (PDF)

Feedback (Clarity + Credibility)

Peer feedback prompts
  • One claim that sounded credible was…
  • One sentence that felt too strong was… (suggest a hedge)
  • One sentence that felt too weak/vague was… (suggest clearer wording)
Teacher focus
  • Appropriate claim strength (no overclaiming)
  • Accuracy of hedging grammar (may + base verb)
  • Balance: stance + evidence + limitation
  • Coherence (linkers that show contrast and caution)
Common upgrades

“This proves…” → “This suggests…”
“Everyone knows…” → “It is widely believed…”
“This will…” → “This may…” / “This is likely to…”

Feedback Form (PDF) Mini Rubric (PDF)

Materials & Downloads

  • Unit 4 Slides — PPTX
  • Why Hedge? — PDF · Stance Vocabulary — PDF
  • Claim Strength Scale — PDF
  • Hedging Phrase Bank — PDF · Strong → Cautious Rewrites — PDF
  • Examples Pack — PDF
  • Discussion Cards — PDF
  • Writing Template — PDF · Hedging Checklist — PDF
  • Feedback Form — PDF · Mini Rubric — PDF

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