| Acknowledgments | 第5-6页 |
| 摘要 | 第6-7页 |
| Abstract | 第7-8页 |
| Chapter 1 Introduction | 第11-16页 |
| 1.1 Background of the Study | 第11-12页 |
| 1.2 Significance of the Study | 第12页 |
| 1.3 Research Questions | 第12-13页 |
| 1.4 Data and Methodology | 第13-14页 |
| 1.5 Organization of the Thesis | 第14-16页 |
| Chapter 2 Literature Review | 第16-27页 |
| 2.1 An Overview of the Development of Metaphor Theory | 第16-21页 |
| 2.1.1 Metaphor Studies in the West | 第16-20页 |
| 2.1.2 Metaphor Studies in China | 第20-21页 |
| 2.2 An Overview of Previous Metaphor Studies in Economic Discourses | 第21-25页 |
| 2.3 Introduction and Study of The Economist | 第25-27页 |
| Chapter 3 Theoretical Framework | 第27-38页 |
| 3.1 Definition of Conceptual Metaphor | 第27页 |
| 3.2 Philosophical Basis of Conceptual Metaphor | 第27-29页 |
| 3.3 Working Mechanism of Conceptual Metaphor | 第29-31页 |
| 3.4 Classification of Conceptual Metaphor | 第31-35页 |
| 3.4.1 Orientational Metaphor | 第31-33页 |
| 3.4.2 Ontological Metaphor | 第33-34页 |
| 3.4.3 Structural Metaphor | 第34-35页 |
| 3.5 Characteristics of Conceptual Metaphor | 第35-38页 |
| 3.5.1 Pervasiveness of Conceptual Metaphor | 第36页 |
| 3.5.2 Systematicity of Conceptual Metaphor | 第36-37页 |
| 3.5.3 Cultural Coherence of Conceptual Metaphor | 第37-38页 |
| Chapter 4 Application of Conceptual Metaphor to the Reports on the U.S. Fiscal Cliff in The Economist | 第38-68页 |
| 4.1 Overview of the U.S. Fiscal Cliff | 第38-39页 |
| 4.2 Cliff as a Conceptual Metaphor in the Reports on U.S. Tax Increases and Spending Cuts in The Economist | 第39-46页 |
| 4.2.1 Reports on the Origin and Development | 第40-44页 |
| 4.2.2 Reports on the Consequences | 第44-46页 |
| 4.3 Structural Metaphor Used In the U.S. Fiscal Cliff Reports | 第46-55页 |
| 4.3.1 Application of Building Metaphor | 第46-49页 |
| 4.3.2 Application of War Metaphor | 第49-54页 |
| 4.3.3 Application of Sports/Games Metaphor | 第54-55页 |
| 4.4 Ontological Metaphor Used In the U.S. Fiscal Cliff Reports | 第55-63页 |
| 4.4.1 Application of Human Being Metaphor | 第56-60页 |
| 4.4.2 Application of Natural Phenomena Metaphor | 第60-62页 |
| 4.4.3 Application of Container Metaphor | 第62-63页 |
| 4.5 Orientational Metaphor Used In the U.S. Fiscal Cliff Reports | 第63-66页 |
| 4.5.1 Application of UP/DOWN Metaphor | 第64-65页 |
| 4.5.2 Application of FRONT/BACK Metaphor | 第65-66页 |
| 4.6 Summary | 第66-68页 |
| Chapter 5 Conclusion | 第68-71页 |
| 5.1 Major Findings of the Study | 第68-69页 |
| 5.2 Implications of the Study | 第69-70页 |
| 5.3 Limitations of the Study | 第70页 |
| 5.4 Suggestions for Future Studies | 第70-71页 |
| Bibliography | 第71-75页 |
| Appendix | 第75-77页 |
| Papers Published During the Study of M.A. Degree | 第77页 |
