| Acknowledgements | 第4-5页 |
| Abstract | 第5-6页 |
| 摘要 | 第7-15页 |
| Chapter One Introduction | 第15-19页 |
| 1.1 Background of the Study | 第15-16页 |
| 1.2 Aims of the Study | 第16-17页 |
| 1.3 Significance of the Study | 第17-18页 |
| 1.4 Organization of the Thesis | 第18-19页 |
| Chapter Two Literature Review | 第19-27页 |
| 2.1 Western Studies of Hedges | 第19-24页 |
| 2.1.1 Definitions of Hedges Given by Western Scholars | 第19-20页 |
| 2.1.2 Categorizations of Hedges | 第20-23页 |
| 2.1.3. EmpiricalResearches of Hedges | 第23-24页 |
| 2.2 Domestic Studies of Hedges | 第24-26页 |
| 2.2.1 Theoretical Studies of Hedges | 第24页 |
| 2.2.2 Practical and Contrastive Studies of Hedges in Different Discourses | 第24-26页 |
| 2.3 Summary | 第26-27页 |
| Chapter Three Theoretical Framework of the Research | 第27-36页 |
| 3.1 A Brief Introduction to Appraisal Theory and Interpersonal Meaning | 第27-28页 |
| 3.2 The Framework of Appraisal Theory | 第28-34页 |
| 3.2.1 Attitude | 第28-29页 |
| 3.2.2 Engagement | 第29-32页 |
| 3.2.3 Graduation | 第32-34页 |
| 3.3 The Relationship between Hedges and Appraisal Resources | 第34-35页 |
| 3.4 Summary | 第35-36页 |
| Chapter Four Research Design and Methodology | 第36-41页 |
| 4.1 Research Questions | 第36页 |
| 4.2 Research Materials | 第36-38页 |
| 4.3 Research Procedures | 第38-40页 |
| 4.3.1 Criterion of Hedges Identification in This Study | 第38-39页 |
| 4.3.2 Hedges Identification and Classification | 第39-40页 |
| 4.3.3 Hedges Calculation | 第40页 |
| 4.4 Summary | 第40-41页 |
| Chapter Five Results and Discussion | 第41-76页 |
| 5.1 Quantitative Analysis of Hedges in American and Chinese Leaders' Remarks | 第41-44页 |
| 5.2 A Comparison of Hedges Used by American and Chinese Leaders | 第44-59页 |
| 5.2.1 Similarities in the Use of Hedges | 第44-47页 |
| 5.2.2 Differences in the Use of Hedges | 第47-55页 |
| 5.2.3 Possible Reasons for the Similarities and Differences in the Use of Hedges | 第55-59页 |
| 5.3 Qualitative Analysis of Hedges in American and Chinese Leaders' Remarks | 第59-75页 |
| 5.3.1 Distribution of Hedges as Appraisal Resources | 第59-60页 |
| 5.3.2 Analysis of Hedging Appraisal Resources in American and Chinese Leaders' Remarks | 第60-73页 |
| 5.3.3 Interpersonal Meanings Realized by Hedges | 第73-75页 |
| 5.4 Summary | 第75-76页 |
| Chapter Six Conclusion | 第76-81页 |
| 6.1 Major Findings of the Study | 第76-77页 |
| 6.2 Implications of the Study | 第77-79页 |
| 6.3 Limitations and Suggestions for Future Studies | 第79-81页 |
| Works Cited | 第81-83页 |
| Appendices | 第83-86页 |
| Appendix A:English Textual Material | 第83-85页 |
| Appendix B:Chinese Textual Material | 第85-86页 |
| Publications | 第86页 |
