Y07W18RC Power of Maybe

This week you are exploring how the words you choose to express certainty — or uncertainty — can shape the way your message lands. The reading ahead will show you how writers use language to signal how strongly they believe something, and why that matters for persuasion. As you read, pay attention to the moments where the writer deliberately chooses softer or stronger language — and ask yourself why.

Persuasive — Opinion piece

An opinion piece is a piece of writing in which one person puts forward a clear point of view on a topic they have thought carefully about. Its purpose is to persuade — to bring the reader around to a particular way of thinking, or at least to take that thinking seriously. Readers can expect a mix of arguments, real-world examples, and occasionally an acknowledgement of the opposing view, all organised to build a case from beginning to end. The writer typically opens with a position, develops it through evidence and reasoning, and closes by reinforcing the central idea. When you read an opinion piece, your job is to evaluate the argument — tracking how the writer builds their case, where they acknowledge complexity, and how convincing their reasoning actually is.

Before You Read

  • Scan the section headings before you begin reading. In a piece organised this way, headings signal shifts in the argument — use them to predict how the writer's thinking will develop across the piece.
  • Think about a time you heard someone say 'I think this might work' versus 'This will definitely work.' Consider how differently those two statements felt — even before you knew whether the idea was any good.
  • The title makes a claim that might surprise you. Keep that claim in mind as you read, and notice whether the writer earns it by the end.

While You Read

  • Track where the writer's position is stated most directly, and notice whether that position softens or strengthens as the piece moves forward.
  • Each section heading signals a shift in direction. When you reach a new heading, pause briefly to identify whether the writer is adding support, introducing a complication, or shifting the argument.
  • Pay close attention to individual word choices — particularly words that signal how certain or uncertain the writer is. These small words do significant work in shaping tone and persuasiveness.
  • When the writer presents a counterpoint — an idea that pushes back against the main argument — notice how they handle it. Do they dismiss it, accept part of it, or reframe it?
  • If a sentence feels complicated, re-read it once with a focus on the main idea only, then go back to take in the detail.

Read With Purpose

  • Notice the moments when the writer chooses cautious language and consider what effect that has on how the argument feels — whether it seems more or less trustworthy as a result.
  • Notice how the strength of the writer's certainty shifts between sections, and what seems to drive those shifts.
  • Notice where the writer draws a line between two similar things that are actually quite different, and consider why that distinction matters to the overall argument.

Now read

The opinion piece

~4 min read · ~716 words

Why 'Maybe' Can Be Strong

There is a word that many people treat as weak, as though using it means you have nothing important to say. That word is ‘maybe.’ Along with its close relatives — ‘might,’ ‘could,’ and ‘possibly’ — it tends to get a bad reputation. People often believe that confident speakers always use strong, definite language. But what if that assumption is wrong? What if choosing words that express uncertainty can actually make your point more persuasive, more honest, and more powerful?

This piece argues that the language of possibility is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of careful thinking — and knowing when to use it is one of the most useful communication skills you can develop.

When Certainty Is the Right Choice

Not every situation calls for softness. Sometimes, the strength of a statement lies in its directness. When a school policy is unclear and students are genuinely confused, a clear sentence like ‘This rule must be explained more carefully’ sends a firm, unmistakable message. When someone has been treated unfairly, hedging with ‘this could perhaps be a bit unfair’ would completely undercut the point. In these situations, certain language signals urgency and conviction. It tells the reader or listener that the speaker has weighed the evidence and is standing firmly behind their view.

The lesson here is not that certainty is bad — it is that certainty needs to be earned. Using strong, definite language when you have solid evidence and a clear position is entirely appropriate. The problem arises when people use that same certain language for everything, regardless of how much they actually know.

When ‘Maybe’ Does the Heavy Lifting

Consider a different kind of situation: a community garden is being planned at school, and students are debating how to use the space. One student says, ‘We must use the whole area for vegetables.’ Another says, ‘We could set aside part of the space for vegetables, and the rest might work well as a quiet sitting area.’

Which student sounds more thoughtful? Most people would say the second. That is because the language of possibility — ‘could,’ ‘might’ — signals that the speaker has considered other people’s needs, not just their own. It invites others into the conversation rather than shutting them out. Interestingly, this kind of language can actually make an argument more persuasive, not less, because it shows awareness that reasonable people might see things differently.

This does not mean the second student is less committed to their idea. It means they are presenting it in a way that is more likely to be heard.

The Counterpoint Worth Taking Seriously

It would be dishonest to pretend there is no downside to hedging language. Critics have a fair point when they say that overusing words like ‘might’ and ‘possibly’ can sometimes make a speaker sound unsure of themselves — or worse, as though they are trying to avoid taking any position at all. If a student consistently responds to every question with ‘I think maybe this could possibly be the answer,’ it begins to feel evasive rather than thoughtful.

The distinction worth drawing is between strategic uncertainty and vague uncertainty. Strategic uncertainty means you are deliberately leaving space because the situation genuinely calls for it — because the evidence is not complete, or because you want to respect others’ perspectives. Vague uncertainty means you are using soft language to avoid committing to anything. One is a communication skill; the other is a habit worth reconsidering.

Choosing Your Words With Intention

The real skill, then, is not learning to always sound certain or always sound tentative. It is learning to read the situation and choose your language accordingly. Strong communicators do not have a single setting. They shift between conviction and possibility depending on what they know, who they are talking to, and what they are trying to achieve.

The next time you are putting together an argument — whether for a class debate, a letter to a school council, or a conversation with a friend — pay attention to your modality choices. Ask yourself whether ‘must’ is doing real work, or whether ‘might’ would actually serve your point better. Ask whether you are hedging because the situation calls for it, or simply out of habit.

‘Maybe’ is not a retreat from strength. Used well, it is evidence of it.

Check your vocabulary knowledge

assumption n.
something believed to be true without being fully checked or proven
conviction n.
a strong and confident belief that something is right or true
evasive adj.
deliberately avoiding giving a clear or direct answer
strategic adj.
done with a clear plan and purpose to achieve a goal
tentative adj.
not fully certain; expressed with caution rather than confidence