| Acknowledgements | 第4-5页 |
| Abstract | 第5-6页 |
| 摘要 | 第7-12页 |
| Chapter One Introduction | 第12-16页 |
| 1.1 Research Background | 第12-13页 |
| 1.2 Objectives of the Research | 第13页 |
| 1.3 Significance of the Research | 第13-14页 |
| 1.4 Structure of the Thesis | 第14-16页 |
| Chapter Two Literature Review | 第16-23页 |
| 2.1 Studies on Modality | 第16-20页 |
| 2.1.1 Previous Studies on Modality Abroad | 第16-19页 |
| 2.1.2 Previous Studies on Modality at Home | 第19-20页 |
| 2.2 Personal Statements | 第20-23页 |
| 2.2.1 Definition of Personal Statements | 第20-21页 |
| 2.2.2 Classification of Personal Statements | 第21页 |
| 2.2.3 Previous Studies on Personal Statements | 第21-23页 |
| Chapter Three Theoretical Framework | 第23-32页 |
| 3.1 Interpersonal Function in Halliday’s Systemic-Functional Grammar | 第23页 |
| 3.2 Framework of Modality in Halliday’s Systemic-Functional Grammar | 第23-27页 |
| 3.2.1 Definition of Modality | 第23-24页 |
| 3.2.2 Types of Modality | 第24页 |
| 3.2.3 Orientation of Modality | 第24-25页 |
| 3.2.4 Values of Modality | 第25-27页 |
| 3.3 Linguistic Realization of Modality | 第27-32页 |
| 3.3.1 Modal Operators | 第28页 |
| 3.3.2 Modal Adjuncts | 第28-30页 |
| 3.3.3 Expansions of the predicator | 第30页 |
| 3.3.4 Metaphors of Modality | 第30-32页 |
| Chapter Four Methodology | 第32-36页 |
| 4.1 Research Questions | 第32页 |
| 4.2 Data Collection | 第32-33页 |
| 4.3 Research Methods | 第33页 |
| 4.4 Research Process | 第33-36页 |
| Chapter Five Comparative Analysis and Discussion | 第36-75页 |
| 5.1 Comparative Analysis of Modality System | 第36-62页 |
| 5.1.1 Comparative Analysis of the Overall Distribution of Modality System | 第36-38页 |
| 5.1.2 Comparative Analysis of Modal Operators | 第38-46页 |
| 5.1.3 Comparative Analysis of Modal Adjuncts | 第46-56页 |
| 5.1.4 Comparative Analysis of Expansions of the predicator | 第56-57页 |
| 5.1.5 Comparative Analysis of Metaphors of Modality | 第57-62页 |
| 5.2 Discussion | 第62-75页 |
| 5.2.1 The Similarities and Differences between American and Chinese Students’ Personal Statements | 第62-64页 |
| 5.2.2 The Possible Reasons Causing the Differences | 第64-67页 |
| 5.2.3 Interpersonal Meaning Realized by Modality System | 第67-75页 |
| Chapter Six Conclusion | 第75-78页 |
| 6.1 Major Findings | 第75页 |
| 6.2 Implications | 第75-77页 |
| 6.3 Limitations and Suggestions for Further Study | 第77-78页 |
| References | 第78-81页 |
