| Acknowledgements | 第4-5页 |
| Abstract | 第5-6页 |
| 摘要 | 第7-14页 |
| Chapter One Introduction | 第14-20页 |
| 1.1 Background of the Study | 第14-15页 |
| 1.2 Necessity and Purpose of the Study | 第15-17页 |
| 1.3 Description and Classification of Data | 第17-19页 |
| 1.4 Structure of the Thesis | 第19-20页 |
| Chapter Two Literature Review | 第20-31页 |
| 2.1 Vagueness of Language | 第20-21页 |
| 2.2 The Previous Studies of Hedges | 第21-30页 |
| 2.2.1 The Previous Studies of Hedges Abroad | 第21-27页 |
| 2.2.2 The Previous Studies of Hedges at Home | 第27-30页 |
| 2.3 Summary | 第30-31页 |
| Chapter Three Theoretical Framework | 第31-39页 |
| 3.1 Introduction to Adaptation Theory | 第31-32页 |
| 3.2 Making Choices | 第32-33页 |
| 3.3 Three Core Properties of Language | 第33-34页 |
| 3.3.1 Variability | 第33页 |
| 3.3.2 Negotiability | 第33-34页 |
| 3.3.3 Adaptability | 第34页 |
| 3.4 Four Aspects of Adaptation Theory | 第34-37页 |
| 3.4.1 Contextual Correlates of Adaptability | 第35-36页 |
| 3.4.2 Structural Objects of Adaptability | 第36-37页 |
| 3.4.3 Dynamics of Adaptability | 第37页 |
| 3.4.4 Salience of the Adaptation Process | 第37页 |
| 3.5 Hedges and the Adaptation Theory | 第37-39页 |
| Chapter Four A Pragmatic Analysis of Hedges in English Political News | 第39-61页 |
| 4.1 Features of English Political News | 第39-40页 |
| 4.2 Hedges as Adaptation to the Physical World | 第40-47页 |
| 4.2.1 Adaptation to Accuracy | 第40-43页 |
| 4.2.2 Adaptation to Objectivity and Impartiality | 第43-45页 |
| 4.2.3 Adaptation to Timeliness | 第45-47页 |
| 4.3 Hedges as Adaptation to the Social World | 第47-50页 |
| 4.3.1 Adaptability to Confidentiality | 第48-49页 |
| 4.3.2 Adaptability to Politeness Principle | 第49-50页 |
| 4.4 Hedges as Adaptation to the Mental World | 第50-55页 |
| 4.4.1 Adaptation to Readers' Mental World | 第51-53页 |
| 4.4.2 Adaptation to Reporters' Mental World | 第53-55页 |
| 4.5 Summary | 第55页 |
| 4.6 Pragmatic Functions of Hedges in English Political News | 第55-61页 |
| 4.6.1 Providing Self-protection | 第55-57页 |
| 4.6.2 Maintaining Political and Social Stability | 第57-58页 |
| 4.6.3 Avoiding Sensitive Topics | 第58-59页 |
| 4.6.4 Summary | 第59-61页 |
| Chapter Five Conclusion | 第61-64页 |
| 5.1 Major Findings | 第61-62页 |
| 5.2 Implications | 第62页 |
| 5.3 Limitations and Suggestions for Further Study | 第62-64页 |
| References | 第64-67页 |
| Appendix | 第67-70页 |
| Publications | 第70页 |
