学生一般认为学术写作中，尤其是在科技文写作中，只是简单传述事实或者信息而已。但在现实的学术写作最重要的一个特征就是谨慎语言（cautious
language）,或避开问题（hedging）或含糊其辞（vague）。换言之，必须站在特定的立场或者态度才能做出决定。
Hedging在语言中的表述方式
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
5.
Modal adverbs
e.g. certainly, definitely, clearly, probably, possibly, perhaps, conceivably,
6.
Modal adjectives
e.g. certain, definite, clear, probable, possible
7.
Modal nouns
e.g. assumption, possibility, probability
8.
That clauses
e.g. It could be the case that . e.g. It might be suggested that . e.g. There is every hope that .
9.
To-clause adjective
e.g. It may be possible to obtain . e.g. It is important to develop . e.g. It is usefu
Hedging在语言中的表述方式
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
5.
Modal adverbs
e.g. certainly, definitely, clearly, probably, possibly, perhaps, conceivably,
6.
Modal adjectives
e.g. certain, definite, clear, probable, possible
7.
Modal nouns
e.g. assumption, possibility, probability
8.
That clauses
e.g. It could be the case that . e.g. It might be suggested that . e.g. There is every hope that .
9.
To-clause adjective
e.g. It may be possible to obtain . e.g. It is important to develop . e.g. It is usefu
