| Abstract | 第9页 |
| 摘要 | 第10-11页 |
| Chapter One Introduction | 第11-14页 |
| 1.1 Background of the Study | 第11-12页 |
| 1.2 The Purpose of the Study | 第12页 |
| 1.3 The Significance of the Study | 第12页 |
| 1.4 Outline of the Study | 第12-14页 |
| Chapter Two Literature Review | 第14-27页 |
| 2.1 Definition of Hedges | 第14-15页 |
| 2.2 Classification of Hedges | 第15-18页 |
| 2.3 Previous Researches on Hedges | 第18-24页 |
| 2.3.1 Research on Hedges Abroad | 第18-21页 |
| 2.3.2 Researches of Hedges at Home | 第21-24页 |
| 2.4 Previous Studies on American Presidential Debates | 第24-26页 |
| 2.5 Summary | 第26-27页 |
| Chapter Three Theoretical Framework | 第27-34页 |
| 3.1 The Cooperative Principle | 第27-29页 |
| 3.1.1 Four Maxim of Cooperative Principle | 第27-29页 |
| 3.1.2 Violation of Cooperative Principle | 第29页 |
| 3.2 Politeness Principle | 第29-34页 |
| 3.2.1 Politeness Principle | 第29-31页 |
| 3.2.2 Politeness Strategy | 第31-34页 |
| Chapter Four Research Methodology | 第34-37页 |
| 4.1 Research Questions | 第34页 |
| 4.2 Data Collection | 第34页 |
| 4.3 Research Methods | 第34-36页 |
| 4.4 Data Analysis | 第36-37页 |
| Chapter five Results and Discussions | 第37-56页 |
| 5.1 Frequency and Distribution of Different Types of Hedges | 第37-39页 |
| 5.2 Differences in Hedges Uses between Trump and Clinton | 第39-41页 |
| 5.3 Analysis of Hedges from the Perspective of Cooperative Principle | 第41-47页 |
| 5.3.1 Adaptors and Cooperative Principle | 第41-43页 |
| 5.3.2 Rounders and Cooperative Principle | 第43-44页 |
| 5.3.3 Plausibility Shields and Cooperative Principle | 第44-46页 |
| 5.3.4 Attribution Shields and Cooperative Principle | 第46-47页 |
| 5.4 Analysis of Hedges from the Perspective of Politeness Principle | 第47-49页 |
| 5.4.1 Positive Politeness Strategy | 第48页 |
| 5.4.2 Negative Politeness Strategy | 第48-49页 |
| 5.5 Pragmatic Function of Hedges in Political Debates | 第49-56页 |
| 5.5.1 To Give Relatively Accurate Information | 第49-50页 |
| 5.5.2 To Attack Opponents | 第50-51页 |
| 5.5.3 To Protect Oneself | 第51-52页 |
| 5.5.4 To Enhance Credibility | 第52-53页 |
| 5.5.5 Show politeness | 第53页 |
| 5.5.6 To Built a Future Vision | 第53-56页 |
| Chapter Six Conclusions | 第56-59页 |
| 6.1 Major Findings | 第56-57页 |
| 6.2 Implications of the Research | 第57页 |
| 6.3 Limitations of the Research | 第57-58页 |
| 6.4 Suggestions for further Research | 第58-59页 |
| References | 第59-63页 |
| Appendix | 第63-78页 |
| Acknowledgements | 第78页 |
