Hedging Devices in Academic Writing

Abstract

The aim of this master thesis is to analyze the use of hedging devices in academic writing. The theoretical part defines the term hedging and describes the most frequently used hedging devices represented by modal verbs, lexical verbs, adjectives and adverbs. Special attention is paid to their epistemic meaning. The practical part analyzes the frequency of occurrences of hedges in the chosen bachelor theses. Eventually, the prevailing tendencies are described and interpreted with respect to the context and functional style.