| Abstract | 第1-9页 |
| 摘要 | 第9-10页 |
| Chapter One Introduction | 第10-16页 |
| ·Background of the Study | 第10-14页 |
| ·Significance of the Study | 第14-15页 |
| ·Overall Structure of the Thesis | 第15-16页 |
| Chapter Two Literature Review | 第16-28页 |
| ·The Study of Hedges Carried out Abroad | 第16-22页 |
| ·L.A.Zadeh’s Research of Hedges | 第16-17页 |
| ·G.Lakoff’s Research of Hedges | 第17-18页 |
| ·Prince et al’s Research of Hedges | 第18-21页 |
| ·Myers’ Research of Hedges | 第21页 |
| ·Hyland’s Research of Hedges | 第21-22页 |
| ·The Study of Hedges Carried out at Home | 第22-28页 |
| ·Wu Tieping’s Research of Hedges | 第22-23页 |
| ·He Ziran’s Research of Hedges | 第23-24页 |
| ·Chen Linhua & Li Fuyin’s Research of Hedges | 第24-25页 |
| ·More Chinese linguists’ Research of Hedges | 第25-28页 |
| Chapter Three Theoretical Framework | 第28-35页 |
| ·Cooperative Principle | 第28-30页 |
| ·Conversational Implicature | 第30-31页 |
| ·Politeness Principle | 第31-33页 |
| ·FTA Theory | 第33-35页 |
| Chapter Four Research Methodology | 第35-37页 |
| ·Research Questions | 第35页 |
| ·Research Objectives | 第35页 |
| ·Research Methods | 第35-37页 |
| Chapter Five Analysis and Interpretation | 第37-57页 |
| ·Pragmatic Functions of Hedges in Desperate Housewives | 第37-57页 |
| ·Hedges as a Device to Provide the Right Amount of Information | 第37-41页 |
| ·Hedges as a Device to Smooth the Conversation | 第41-44页 |
| ·Hedges as a Device for Self-protection | 第44-49页 |
| ·Hedges as a Device for Politeness | 第49-57页 |
| ·Hedges as a Positive Politeness Strategy | 第49-53页 |
| ·Hedges as a Negative Politeness Strategy | 第53-57页 |
| Chapter Six Conclusion | 第57-62页 |
| ·Major Findings | 第57页 |
| ·Implications for Teaching Hedges | 第57-60页 |
| ·Problems of English Learners in Using Hedges | 第58页 |
| ·Teaching Hedges in Language Training | 第58-60页 |
| ·Issues Concerning Teaching Hedges in Language Training | 第58-59页 |
| ·Strategies Proposed for Teaching Hedges | 第59-60页 |
| ·Limitations and Suggestions | 第60-62页 |
| Bibliography | 第62-66页 |
| 攻读硕士学位期间所发表的学术论文 | 第66-67页 |
| Acknowledgements | 第67页 |
