The contribution takes into account two differently phrased kinds of focusing statements. The evidence collected seems to indicate that it is not always possible to refer to the differences between focusing statements featuring 'will' and others featuring 'shall' only in terms of varying degrees of certainty. While the former type of statements turn into propositions, the latter type of statements turn into recommendations. And even though in both types of focusing statements the author adopts a stance of authorial assertiveness, this seems to originate form his belonging to an established tradition ('will') or from his qualifying himself as an expert, able to recommend what should be done ('shall').