| Acknowledgements | 第1-5页 |
| Abstract in English | 第5-7页 |
| Abstract in Chinese | 第7-11页 |
| Chapter One Introduction | 第11-17页 |
| ·Origin of the study | 第11-15页 |
| ·Necessity and significance of the study | 第15页 |
| ·Objectives of the study | 第15-16页 |
| ·Methodology of the study | 第16页 |
| ·Organization of the thesis | 第16-17页 |
| Chapter Two Literature Review | 第17-25页 |
| ·Research carried out abroad | 第17-22页 |
| ·Zadeh's research of hedges | 第17-18页 |
| ·Lakoff's research of hedges | 第18-19页 |
| ·Brown and Levinson's research of hedges | 第19-20页 |
| ·Prince et al's research of hedges | 第20-21页 |
| ·Hyland's research of hedges | 第21-22页 |
| ·Research carried out at home | 第22-24页 |
| ·Model of present study | 第24-25页 |
| Chapter Three Classification and Functions of Hedges | 第25-36页 |
| ·Classification and functions of hedges | 第25-30页 |
| ·Approximators | 第26-28页 |
| ·Shields | 第28-30页 |
| ·Reasons of using hedges in interpersonal communication | 第30-34页 |
| ·Giving the right amount of information | 第30-31页 |
| ·Lacking specific information | 第31-32页 |
| ·Withholding information deliberately | 第32-33页 |
| ·Power and politeness | 第33-34页 |
| ·Summary | 第34-36页 |
| Chapter Four Pragmatic Analysis of Hedges in Communication | 第36-50页 |
| ·The CP and hedges in communication | 第36-41页 |
| ·The co-operative principle | 第36-38页 |
| ·The CP analysis of hedges in communication | 第38-41页 |
| ·Quality hedges | 第38-39页 |
| ·Quantity hedges | 第39页 |
| ·Relevance hedges | 第39-40页 |
| ·Manner hedges | 第40-41页 |
| ·The PP, FTA theory and hedges in communication | 第41-49页 |
| ·The Politeness principle and FTA theory | 第42-45页 |
| ·The PP and FTA theory analysis of hedges in communication | 第45-49页 |
| ·Tact hedges | 第45-46页 |
| ·Generosity hedges | 第46页 |
| ·Approbation hedges | 第46-47页 |
| ·Modesty hedges | 第47-48页 |
| ·Agreement hedges | 第48页 |
| ·Sympathy hedges | 第48-49页 |
| ·Summary | 第49-50页 |
| Chapter Five Social Analysis of Hedges in Communication | 第50-56页 |
| ·Hedges and gender differences in communication | 第50-52页 |
| ·Hedges and social position in communication | 第52-53页 |
| ·Hedges and occupation in communication | 第53-55页 |
| ·Summary | 第55-56页 |
| Chapter Six Conclusion | 第56-58页 |
| ·Major Findings of the study | 第56页 |
| ·Implications of the study | 第56-57页 |
| ·Limitations of the study and suggestions for further research | 第57-58页 |
| Bibliography | 第58-61页 |
| Publications | 第61页 |
