| ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS | 第8-9页 |
| ABSTRACT | 第9-10页 |
| 摘要 | 第11-14页 |
| CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION | 第14-19页 |
| 1.1 Background of the Study | 第14-15页 |
| 1.2 Significance of the Study | 第15页 |
| 1.3 Objectives of the Study | 第15-16页 |
| 1.4 Research Methodology | 第16-17页 |
| 1.5 Structure of the Thesis | 第17-19页 |
| CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW | 第19-27页 |
| 2.1 Previous Studies on Apologies | 第19-24页 |
| 2.1.1 Studies on Apologies in Foreign Countries | 第19-21页 |
| 2.1.2 Studies on Apologies at Home | 第21-24页 |
| 2.2 Previous Studies on The Big Bang Theory | 第24-27页 |
| 2.2.1 Studies on The Big Bang Theory in Foreign Countries | 第24-25页 |
| 2.2.2 Studies on The Big Bang Theory at Home | 第25-27页 |
| CHAPTER Ⅲ THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK | 第27-33页 |
| 3.1 Face Theory and Politeness | 第27-28页 |
| 3.2 Politeness Principle and Its Maxims | 第28-32页 |
| 3.2.1 Six Maxims of Politeness Principle | 第29-31页 |
| 3.2.2 Pragmatic Scales of Politeness | 第31-32页 |
| 3.3 Summary | 第32-33页 |
| Chapter Ⅳ ANALYSIS OF APOLOGIES IN THE BIG BANG THEORY | 第33-65页 |
| 4.1 American Situation Comedy — The Big Bang Theory | 第33-35页 |
| 4.2 Politeness Principle and Apologies | 第35-36页 |
| 4.3 Apology Effect of Violating the Politeness Principle | 第36-47页 |
| 4.3.1 Violating the Maxim of Tact and Generosity | 第36-39页 |
| 4.3.2 Violating the Maxim of Approbation and Modesty | 第39-43页 |
| 4.3.3 Violating the Maxim of Agreement and Sympathy | 第43-47页 |
| 4.4 Apology Effect of Following the Politeness Principle | 第47-63页 |
| 4.4.1 Following the Maxim of Tact and Generosity | 第47-53页 |
| 4.4.2 Following the Maxim of Approbation and Modesty | 第53-58页 |
| 4.4.3 Following the Maxim of Agreement and Sympathy | 第58-63页 |
| 4.5 Summary | 第63-65页 |
| Chapter Ⅴ CONCLUSION | 第65-68页 |
| 5.1 Major Findings of the Study | 第65-66页 |
| 5.2 Limitations of the Study | 第66-67页 |
| 5.3 Suggestions for Further Study | 第67-68页 |
| REFERENCES | 第68-69页 |
