| Acknowledgements | 第1-5页 |
| 摘要 | 第5-7页 |
| Abstract | 第7-9页 |
| Table of Contents | 第9-12页 |
| Chapter One Introduction | 第12-18页 |
| ·Research Background | 第12-13页 |
| ·Research Motivation | 第13-14页 |
| ·Research Objectives | 第14页 |
| ·Research Methodology | 第14-15页 |
| ·Research Significance | 第15-16页 |
| ·Theoretical Significance | 第15-16页 |
| ·Practical Significance | 第16页 |
| ·Overall Structure of the Thesis | 第16-18页 |
| Chapter Two Literature Review | 第18-30页 |
| ·Differentiation of Related Linguistic Terms | 第18-20页 |
| ·Ambiguity | 第18页 |
| ·Vagueness | 第18-19页 |
| ·Fuzziness | 第19-20页 |
| ·Definitions of Hedges | 第20-22页 |
| ·An Overview of Studies on Hedges | 第22-30页 |
| ·Studies of Hedges Aboard | 第22-25页 |
| ·Hyland’s Classification of Hedges | 第25-27页 |
| ·Studies of Hedges at Home | 第27-30页 |
| Chapter Three Theoretical Framework and Research Methodology | 第30-40页 |
| ·Adaptation Theory | 第30-35页 |
| ·Making Choices | 第30-31页 |
| ·Three Properties of Language | 第31-32页 |
| ·Four Angles of Language Adaptation | 第32-35页 |
| ·Research Methodology | 第35-40页 |
| ·Research Questions | 第36页 |
| ·Data Collection | 第36-37页 |
| ·Research Procedures | 第37-40页 |
| Chapter Four Data Analysis and Research Discussion | 第40-58页 |
| ·Data Presentation and Analysis | 第40-42页 |
| ·Similarities and Differences Between English and Chinese Economic News | 第42-44页 |
| ·Similarities Between English and Chinese Economic News | 第43页 |
| ·Differences Between English and Chinese Economic News | 第43-44页 |
| ·Main Causes for the Similarities And Differences | 第44-46页 |
| ·Main Causes for the Similarities | 第44-46页 |
| ·Main Causes for the Difference | 第46页 |
| ·Pragmatic Functions of Hedges | 第46-58页 |
| ·Hedges and Verschueren’s Adaptation Theory | 第46-47页 |
| ·Functions as Adaptation to the Physical World | 第47-50页 |
| ·Enhancing Accuracy | 第47-48页 |
| ·Enhancing Objectiveness | 第48-49页 |
| ·Enhancing Timeliness | 第49-50页 |
| ·Functions as Adaptation to the Social World-Being Polite and Avoiding Conflicts | 第50-52页 |
| ·Functions as Adaptation to the Mental World | 第52-58页 |
| ·Relieving Readers’ Pressure of Memory | 第52-53页 |
| ·Enhancing Readers’ Sense of Participation | 第53-54页 |
| ·Keeping Writers’ Secrets | 第54-55页 |
| ·Enhancing Flexibility of Writers’ expressions | 第55-58页 |
| Chapter Five Conclusion | 第58-62页 |
| ·Summary of the Major Findings | 第58-59页 |
| ·Implications of the Study | 第59页 |
| ·Limitations of the Study and Prospects | 第59-62页 |
| References | 第62-64页 |
