| Acknowledgements | 第1-7页 |
| Abstract | 第7-9页 |
| 摘要 | 第9-15页 |
| Chapter 1 Introduction | 第15-20页 |
| ·Background of the Study | 第15-16页 |
| ·Significance of the Study | 第16-17页 |
| ·Overall Structure of the Thesis | 第17-20页 |
| Chapter 2 Literature Review | 第20-46页 |
| ·Conceptual Integration Theory | 第20-32页 |
| ·Origin of Conceptual Integration Theory | 第20-23页 |
| ·Mental Space Theory | 第20-21页 |
| ·Conceptual Metaphor Theory | 第21-23页 |
| ·Network Models of Conceptual Integration Theory | 第23-27页 |
| ·Operation of Spaces | 第27-31页 |
| ·Optimality Principles of CIT | 第31-32页 |
| ·Puns | 第32-40页 |
| ·Definition of Puns | 第32-34页 |
| ·Classification of English Puns | 第34-38页 |
| ·The Three Essential Factors of Puns | 第38-40页 |
| ·Previous Studies on Puns | 第40-43页 |
| ·Studies on Puns Abroad | 第41-42页 |
| ·Studies on Puns at Home | 第42-43页 |
| ·The correlation between Conceptual Integration Theory and The Big BangTheory | 第43-46页 |
| Chapter 3 Theoretical Foundation and Methodology | 第46-52页 |
| ·Theoretical Foundation | 第46-49页 |
| ·Simplex Network | 第46-47页 |
| ·Mirror Network | 第47-48页 |
| ·Single-scope Network | 第48页 |
| ·Double-Scope Network | 第48-49页 |
| ·Methodology | 第49-52页 |
| ·Research Questions | 第49-50页 |
| ·Data Collection | 第50页 |
| ·Data Analysis | 第50-52页 |
| Chapter 4 A CIT-Based Study of Puns in The Big Bang Theory | 第52-74页 |
| ·The Distributions of Puns in The Big Bang Theory | 第52-59页 |
| ·Meaning Construction of Puns in Conceptual Integration Theory | 第59-68页 |
| ·Meaning Construction of Puns in Mirror Network | 第59-62页 |
| ·Meaning Construction of Puns in Single-scope Network | 第62-65页 |
| ·Meaning Construction of Puns in Double-Scope Network | 第65-68页 |
| ·The functions of Puns in The Big Bang Theory | 第68-74页 |
| ·Aesthetic Function | 第69-70页 |
| ·Humorous and Sarcastic Function | 第70-71页 |
| ·Persuasive Function | 第71-74页 |
| Chapter 5 Conclusion | 第74-79页 |
| ·Major Research Findings | 第74-76页 |
| ·Limitations of the Research | 第76-77页 |
| ·Suggestions for Further Studies | 第77-79页 |
| References | 第79-83页 |
