| Abstract | 第4-5页 |
| 摘要 | 第6-9页 |
| List of Tables and Figures | 第9-11页 |
| Chapter One Introduction | 第11-15页 |
| 1.1 The Source and Background of the Study | 第11-12页 |
| 1.2 The Purpose and Significance of the Study | 第12-13页 |
| 1.2.1 The Purpose of the Study | 第12-13页 |
| 1.2.2 The Significance of the Study | 第13页 |
| 1.3 The Layout of the Thesis | 第13-15页 |
| Chapter Two Literature Review | 第15-26页 |
| 2.1 Previous Studies on Modality | 第15-18页 |
| 2.1.1 Previous Studies on Modality Abroad | 第15-17页 |
| 2.1.2 Previous Studies on Modality in China | 第17-18页 |
| 2.2 Contrastive Studies on Modality from Systemic-functional Perspective | 第18-19页 |
| 2.3 Previous Studies on Prefaces | 第19-24页 |
| 2.3.1 Generic Studies on Prefaces | 第21-23页 |
| 2.3.2 Pragmatic Studies on Prefaces | 第23-24页 |
| 2.3.3 Functional Studies on Prefaces | 第24页 |
| 2.4 Summary | 第24-26页 |
| Chapter Three Methodology | 第26-34页 |
| 3.1 Research Questions | 第26-27页 |
| 3.2 Data Collection | 第27页 |
| 3.3 Data Analysis | 第27-32页 |
| 3.3.1 Modal Operators in the Self-made Prefaces and the Other-made Prefaces to English Linguistic Works | 第28-29页 |
| 3.3.2 Modal Adjuncts in the Self-made Prefaces and the Other-made Prefaces to English Linguistic Works | 第29-32页 |
| 3.4 Summary | 第32-34页 |
| Chapter Four Results and Discussion | 第34-55页 |
| 4.1 Modal Expressions in the Self-made Prefaces to English Linguistic Works | 第34-38页 |
| 4.1.1. Modal Operators in the Self-made Prefaces to English Linguistic Works | 第34-36页 |
| 4.1.2. Modal Adjuncts in the Self-made Prefaces to English Linguistic Works | 第36-38页 |
| 4.2 Modal Expressions in the Other-made Prefaces to English Linguistic Works | 第38-42页 |
| 4.2.1 Modal Operators in the Other-made Prefaces to English Linguistic Works | 第38-40页 |
| 4.2.2. Modal Adjuncts in the Other-made Prefaces to English Linguistic Works | 第40-42页 |
| 4.3 The Contrast between the Self-made and Other-made Prefaces to English Linguistic Works in Modal Expressions | 第42-55页 |
| 4.3.1 The Contrast between the Self-made and Other-made Prefaces to English Linguistic Works in Modal Operators | 第44-48页 |
| 4.3.2 The Contrast between the Self-made and Other-made Prefaces to English Linguistic Works in Modal Adjuncts | 第48-55页 |
| Chapter Five Conclusion | 第55-59页 |
| 5.1 Research Findings | 第55-56页 |
| 5.2 Implications | 第56-57页 |
| 5.3 Limitations and Suggestions for Further Study | 第57-59页 |
| Bibliography | 第59-62页 |
| Appendix: Sources of Samples | 第62-64页 |
| Acknowledgements | 第64页 |
