| Chapter 1 Introduction | 第1-12页 |
| ·Introduction to the topic | 第10-11页 |
| ·General purpose of the research | 第11页 |
| ·Structure of the paper | 第11-12页 |
| Chapter 2 Application of hedge in the English scientific writing | 第12-15页 |
| ·Hedge beneath people's notice | 第12-13页 |
| ·Characteristics of the scientific writing | 第13-15页 |
| Chapter 3 Features and classification of hedges in the scientific writing | 第15-19页 |
| ·Features of hedge in the scientific writing | 第15-17页 |
| ·Context-dependence | 第15-16页 |
| ·Genre-basis | 第16-17页 |
| ·Classification of hedges | 第17-19页 |
| Chapter 4 Metafunctions of hedges in the English scientific writing | 第19-40页 |
| ·Introduction to metafunctions in Systemic-functional Grammar | 第19-20页 |
| ·Ideational metafunction | 第20-23页 |
| ·Increase in fuzziness | 第20-22页 |
| ·Decrease in fuzziness | 第22-23页 |
| ·Interpersonal metafunctions | 第23-30页 |
| ·Politeness strategy | 第23-25页 |
| ·Self-protection strategy | 第25-26页 |
| ·Co-operation strategy | 第26-29页 |
| ·Credibility-raising strategy | 第29-30页 |
| ·Textual metafunction | 第30-37页 |
| ·Textual strategy | 第30-31页 |
| ·Textual marker | 第31-36页 |
| ·Discourse marker | 第36-37页 |
| ·Representations of the three metafunctions | 第37-40页 |
| Chapter 5 Comparative study of hedges in the scientific writing | 第40-45页 |
| ·Comparison of using hedges between Chinese and Western scientists | 第40-41页 |
| ·Number of hedges | 第40页 |
| ·Variability of hedging devices | 第40-41页 |
| ·Possible explanations for the differences | 第41-43页 |
| ·Difference in cultural backgrounds | 第41-42页 |
| ·Difference in hedging expressions between the two languages | 第42页 |
| ·Gap in teaching writing to Chinese students | 第42-43页 |
| ·Enlightenment and issues for further study | 第43-45页 |
| Chapter 6 Discussion and results of investigation | 第45-46页 |
| Chapter 7 Conclusion | 第46-48页 |
| Bibliography | 第48-50页 |
| Appendix 1: Analysis of hedges in a sample text | 第50-53页 |
| Appendix 2: Questionnaires | 第53页 |
