| Acknowledgements | 第5-6页 |
| Abstract | 第6-8页 |
| 摘要 | 第9-14页 |
| Chapter One General Introduction | 第14-20页 |
| 1.1 Object of this study | 第14-16页 |
| 1.2 Objective and research questions | 第16-17页 |
| 1.3 Data and methodology | 第17-18页 |
| 1.4 Significance of the research | 第18-19页 |
| 1.5 Structure of this thesis | 第19-20页 |
| Chapter two Literature review | 第20-30页 |
| 2.1 Introduction | 第20页 |
| 2.2 Terminological issues | 第20-23页 |
| 2.2.1 Studies of the necessity to identify ICs | 第20-21页 |
| 2.2.2 Definitions of IC | 第21-23页 |
| 2.3 Studies of ICs revisited | 第23-28页 |
| 2.3.1 Classifications of ICs | 第23-24页 |
| 2.3.2 Functions | 第24-27页 |
| 2.3.3 The interpersonal effects of ICs | 第27-28页 |
| 2.4 Achievements and limitations | 第28-29页 |
| 2.5 Summary | 第29-30页 |
| Chapter Three Conceptual Framework | 第30-38页 |
| 3.1 Introduction | 第30页 |
| 3.2 Working definition of ICs in Chinese context | 第30-32页 |
| 3.2.1 Difference from other similar speech acts | 第30-31页 |
| 3.2.2 Working definition of ICs | 第31-32页 |
| 3.3 Theoretical framework | 第32-37页 |
| 3.3.1 Components of rapport | 第32-34页 |
| 3.3.2 Rapport-management strategies | 第34-35页 |
| 3.3.3 Rapport-management orientations | 第35页 |
| 3.3.4 Rapport-management outcomes | 第35-36页 |
| 3.3.5 The realization of rapport management theory in this study | 第36-37页 |
| 3.4 Summary | 第37-38页 |
| Chapter four types of ICs at workplace | 第38-52页 |
| 4.1 Introduction | 第38页 |
| 4.2 Types of ICs in Chinese hierarchy workplace | 第38-48页 |
| 4.2.1 Comparison of a person to someone that the speaker thinks the other person mightadmire | 第38-40页 |
| 4.2.2 Reference of something that a person has done and that he or she is proud of | 第40-41页 |
| 4.2.3 Inquiry of the interlocutor about an apparently irrelevant question | 第41-42页 |
| 4.2.4 Concealment of the complimentee or complimenter by replacing him with anindividual or a group | 第42-44页 |
| 4.2.5 Highlighting the complimentee | 第44-47页 |
| 4.2.6 Implicitly complimenting the interlocutor?s ability in a routine way | 第47-48页 |
| 4.3 General discussion | 第48-50页 |
| 4.4 Summary | 第50-52页 |
| Chapter five functions of ics in workplace context | 第52-62页 |
| 5.1 Introduction | 第52-53页 |
| 5.2 Interactional function of ICs | 第53-54页 |
| 5.2.1 Consolidating solidarity or flattering | 第53-54页 |
| 5.3 Transactional functions of ICs | 第54-59页 |
| 5.3.1 Encouragement | 第54-55页 |
| 5.3.2 Decreasing the effect of FTAs - adjunct to requests or refusals | 第55-58页 |
| 5.3.3 Constituting FTAs - requests | 第58-59页 |
| 5.4 General discussion | 第59-61页 |
| 5.5 Summary | 第61-62页 |
| Chapter six interpersonal effects of ics in workplace context | 第62-72页 |
| 6.1 Introduction | 第62页 |
| 6.2 The interpersonal effects of ICs in Chinese workplace context | 第62-69页 |
| 6.2.1 Negative effects | 第64-67页 |
| 6.2.2 Positive effects | 第67-69页 |
| 6.3 General discussion | 第69-72页 |
| Chapter seven conclusion | 第72-76页 |
| 7.1 Introduction | 第72页 |
| 7.2 Major findings | 第72-73页 |
| 7.3 Implications of this study | 第73-74页 |
| 7.4 Limitations of this study | 第74页 |
| 7.5 Suggestions for further studies | 第74-76页 |
| References | 第76-78页 |
