{"id":103,"date":"2018-05-31T10:52:44","date_gmt":"2018-05-31T10:52:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/sunycorning1020elec201819\/?post_type=chapter&p=103"},"modified":"2018-05-31T10:52:44","modified_gmt":"2018-05-31T10:52:44","slug":"qualifiers","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/sunycorning1020elec201819\/chapter\/qualifiers\/","title":{"raw":"Qualifiers","rendered":"Qualifiers"},"content":{"raw":"
\r\n

Qualifiers<\/h1>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

What this handout is about<\/h2>\r\nThis handout will explain what qualifiers are and how you can use them wisely.\r\n

Introduction<\/h2>\r\nQualifiers and intensifiers are words or phrases that are added to another word to modify its meaning, either by limiting it (He was somewhat busy) or by enhancing it (The dog was very cute). Qualifiers can play an important role in your writing, giving your reader clues about how confident you feel about the information you\u2019re presenting. In fact, \u201chedging\u201d (as it is sometimes called) is an important feature of academic writing, because academic writers need to clearly indicate whether they think claims are certain, likely, unlikely, or just false. But excessive use of qualifiers can make you sound unsure of your facts; it can also make your writing too informal.\r\n

Qualifiers can be your friends<\/h2>\r\nQualifiers are often necessary, such as when your evidence or your claim is open to doubt. In such cases, using a qualifier allows you to present your findings with what we can call \u201cconfident uncertainty,\u201d which reflects a need to be cautious and critical about the data you\u2019re presenting. Sometimes you may be required to present your ideas before you have had a chance to fully interpret your research findings. At other times, you may want to remind readers of the limitations of your particular research.\r\n\r\nHere are some words and phrases that can help you indicate uncertainty:<\/strong>\r\n
    \r\n \t
  • Appears<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Seems<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Suggests<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Indicates<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nIt\u2019s also very important to distinguish between absolute or universal claims (in which you are asserting that something is true always and everywhere) and more particular claims (in which you are asserting something but recognizing that your claim has limits). Let\u2019s take a look at some absolute words and some more qualified alternatives:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    ABSOLUTE<\/th>\r\nQUALIFIED<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
    Will<\/td>\r\nMay, might, could<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Forms of \u201cbe\u201d (am, is, are, was, were)<\/td>\r\nMay be, might have been, may have been<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    All<\/td>\r\nMany, most, some, numerous, countless, a majority<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Every<\/td>\r\n(Same as \u201call\u201d)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    None\/no<\/td>\r\nFew, not many, a small number, hardly any, a minority<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Always<\/td>\r\nOften, frequently, commonly, for a long time, usually, sometimes, repeatedly<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Never<\/td>\r\nRarely, infrequently, sporadically, seldom<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Certainly<\/td>\r\nProbably, possibly<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Impossible<\/td>\r\nUnlikely, improbable, doubtful<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

    How much doubt do you want to create?<\/h2>\r\nIn most academic writing, you make an argument to support a thesis. To make a strong argument, you\u2019ll need to convince readers of your points. Consider these two sentences:\r\n
      President Nixon probably resigned as a result of the Watergate cover-up.<\/ul>\r\n
        President Nixon resigned as a result of the Watergate cover-up.<\/ul>\r\nThe first sentence makes your reader doubt the conclusion you\u2019ve arrived at; the latter sentence leaves no doubt about your argument for the causes of Nixon\u2019s resignation. How can you know which sentence to choose? You\u2019ll need to think about the impact your choices will have on your reader.\r\n\r\nQualifiers express doubt; they leave your reader wondering if you know what you\u2019re talking about. Constructions like it appears that and it seems likely that diminish the strength of your claims. Sometimes that\u2019s exactly what you want, when you don\u2019t want to overstate your case and cannot justify making a stronger, more direct claim. But if you are confident of your evidence, using strong qualifiers like these can lead your reader to doubt whether you know what you are talking about or to think that you are not willing to take responsibility for your ideas.\r\n\r\nConsider the two examples below. Does the writer sound confident in her understanding of the theories of Freud and Weber?\r\n
          It appears that Freud believed the unconscious played a significant role in behavior.<\/ul>\r\n
            Max Weber seems to argue that capitalism arises partly out of Protestant values.<\/ul>\r\nDoes Freud in fact think that the unconscious affects people\u2019s behavior? Does Weber really think capitalism arises from Protestant values? If so, the writer should probably just make those claims, without the qualifiers.\r\n\r\nHere are some examples of words to keep an eye on (in addition to the qualifiers already listed above):<\/strong>\r\n
              \r\n \t
            • Basically<\/li>\r\n \t
            • Essentially<\/li>\r\n \t
            • Generally<\/li>\r\n \t
            • Kind of<\/li>\r\n \t
            • Mostly<\/li>\r\n \t
            • Pretty<\/li>\r\n \t
            • Rather<\/li>\r\n \t
            • Slightly<\/li>\r\n \t
            • Somewhat<\/li>\r\n \t
            • Sort of<\/li>\r\n \t
            • Various<\/li>\r\n \t
            • Virtually<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

              Qualifiers and your writing style<\/h2>\r\nWriting that contains too many qualifiers can sound unclear and wordy. We often rely on qualifiers\u2014especially intensifiers\u2014because we either don\u2019t know or don\u2019t take the time to find the appropriate word. Instead we construct our meaning by employing a not-quite-right word with a qualifier added to strengthen or to tone down a noun or verb.\r\n\r\nAnna Karenina is a\u00a0somewhat admirable<\/strong>\u00a0character.<\/em>\r\nBetter:\u00a0Anna Karenina is a\u00a0sympathetic<\/strong>\u00a0character.<\/em>\r\n\r\nDecember in Moscow is\u00a0really cold.<\/strong><\/em>\r\nBetter:\u00a0December in Moscow is\u00a0freezing<\/strong>.<\/em>\r\n\r\nThe theme of community is\u00a0very important<\/strong>\u00a0in Russian literature.<\/em>\r\nBetter:\u00a0The theme of community is\u00a0central<\/strong>\u00a0in Russian literature.<\/em>\r\n\r\nIn each of the above examples, the second sentence employs a word with a more precise meaning and is more concise.\r\n\r\n\u201cShe was very happy\u201d doesn\u2019t capture the nuances that can be expressed by \u201coverjoyed,\u201d \u201cthrilled,\u201d or \u201cecstatic.\u201d\r\n\r\nPay special attention to these commonly overused intensifiers:<\/strong>\r\n
                \r\n \t
              • A lot<\/li>\r\n \t
              • Really<\/li>\r\n \t
              • Very<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                The qualifier habit<\/h2>\r\nUsing lots of qualifiers can become a habit. Sometimes it carries over from the way you speak\u2014perhaps you are a dramatic storyteller who uses lots of intensifiers to express your strong feelings. Sometimes it reflects your relationship to writing, or to your readers\u2014perhaps you feel that you are a \u201cbad writer\u201d and cannot write with confidence, or perhaps you are writing for an intimidating audience, and you are using qualifiers to make your claims as humble as possible in hopes of avoiding criticism or disagreement. While you can certainly compensate for a habit of overusing qualifiers by adding another stage to your editing process (as we\u2019ll discuss in a moment), it may also be worth thinking about how to change your attitudes and practices. If you are using qualifiers to try to create interest and drama, perhaps you could explore other strategies that would be more appropriate for academic writing, like using stronger verbs and including more interesting details. If you are using qualifiers because of a lack of confidence, ask yourself: do I need to do more research to feel confident of my claims? Do I need to talk with my regular readers and let them know more about the kinds of feedback that are, and are not, helpful for me? Do I need to practice getting feedback from some \u201cfriendly\u201d readers in order to feel more comfortable with that aspect of the writing process?\r\n

                Strategies<\/h2>\r\nSuppose you\u2019ve realized that you use the words on the above lists too often and have resolved to cut back. But how? One method is to read through your paper and circle all the adverbs and adjectives. Then examine each one and see whether it accurately and concisely conveys your intended meaning.\r\n\r\nIt proved to be\u00a0very hard<\/strong>\u00a0to overturn<\/em>\u00a0Plessy v. Ferguson.\r\nBetter:\u00a0It proved to be\u00a0difficult<\/strong>\u00a0to overturn<\/em>\u00a0Plessy v. Ferguson.\r\n\r\nIn recent years the Electoral College has become\u00a0very<\/strong>\u00a0controversial.<\/em>\r\nBetter:\u00a0In recent years the Electoral College has become controversial.<\/em>\r\n\r\nThe House Ways and Means Committee is\u00a0basically<\/strong>\u00a0one of the most powerful congressional committees.<\/em>\r\nBetter:\u00a0The House Ways and Means Committee is one of the most powerful congressional committees.<\/em>\r\n\r\nWe hope that this handout will help you make confident, appropriate choices about using qualifiers in your writing!","rendered":"
                \n

                Qualifiers<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n

                What this handout is about<\/h2>\n

                This handout will explain what qualifiers are and how you can use them wisely.<\/p>\n

                Introduction<\/h2>\n

                Qualifiers and intensifiers are words or phrases that are added to another word to modify its meaning, either by limiting it (He was somewhat busy) or by enhancing it (The dog was very cute). Qualifiers can play an important role in your writing, giving your reader clues about how confident you feel about the information you\u2019re presenting. In fact, \u201chedging\u201d (as it is sometimes called) is an important feature of academic writing, because academic writers need to clearly indicate whether they think claims are certain, likely, unlikely, or just false. But excessive use of qualifiers can make you sound unsure of your facts; it can also make your writing too informal.<\/p>\n

                Qualifiers can be your friends<\/h2>\n

                Qualifiers are often necessary, such as when your evidence or your claim is open to doubt. In such cases, using a qualifier allows you to present your findings with what we can call \u201cconfident uncertainty,\u201d which reflects a need to be cautious and critical about the data you\u2019re presenting. Sometimes you may be required to present your ideas before you have had a chance to fully interpret your research findings. At other times, you may want to remind readers of the limitations of your particular research.<\/p>\n

                Here are some words and phrases that can help you indicate uncertainty:<\/strong><\/p>\n