| Acknowledgements | 第1-7页 |
| Abstract | 第7-6页 |
| 摘要 | 第6-11页 |
| Chapter One Introduction | 第11-14页 |
| ·Objectives and Significance of the Thesis | 第11-12页 |
| ·Research Methodology | 第12页 |
| ·Structure of the Thesis | 第12-14页 |
| Chapter Two Literature Review | 第14-24页 |
| ·Foreign Views on Modality | 第14-20页 |
| ·Traditional Methodology | 第14-16页 |
| ·Semantic Methodology | 第16-19页 |
| ·Systemic-Functional Methodology | 第19-20页 |
| ·Domestic Views on Modality | 第20-21页 |
| ·Limitations of Previous Studies | 第21-24页 |
| Chapter Three Theoretical Framework | 第24-36页 |
| ·Definition and Classification of Modality | 第24-25页 |
| ·Linguistic Adaptation Theory | 第25-32页 |
| ·Historical Perspectives | 第25-26页 |
| ·Adaptation Theory and Three Key Notions | 第26-29页 |
| ·Investigation of Four Areas | 第29-32页 |
| ·Contextual Correlates | 第29-30页 |
| ·Structural Objects | 第30-31页 |
| ·Dynamics of Adaptation | 第31-32页 |
| ·Salience of Adaptation | 第32页 |
| ·Modality and Linguistic Adaptation Theory | 第32-35页 |
| ·Interpersonal Function | 第35-36页 |
| Chapter Four Modal Verbs in Conclusions of Linguistic Articles | 第36-70页 |
| ·Distribution Features of Modal Verbs | 第36-38页 |
| ·Variability of Modal Verbs in Conclusions | 第38-41页 |
| ·Negotiability of Modal Verbs in Conclusions | 第41-43页 |
| ·Adaptability of Modal Verbs in Conclusions | 第43-70页 |
| ·Choices of Modals as Adaptation to Linguistic Rules | 第43-52页 |
| ·Adaptation to Negation Rules | 第44-48页 |
| ·Adaptation to Tense Rules | 第48-50页 |
| ·Adaptation to Interrogation Rules | 第50-52页 |
| ·Choices of Modals as Adaptation to Social Context | 第52-61页 |
| ·Adaptation to Politeness Principles | 第53-56页 |
| ·Adaptation to Academic Conventions | 第56-58页 |
| ·Adaptation to Interaction Between the Writer and the Reader | 第58-61页 |
| ·Choices of Modals as Adaptation to Mental Context | 第61-70页 |
| ·Adaptation to Writer’s Attitudes | 第62-66页 |
| ·Adaptation to Reader’s Mental Needs | 第66-70页 |
| Chapter Five Conclusion | 第70-73页 |
| ·Research Findings | 第70-71页 |
| ·Limitations of the Research | 第71页 |
| ·Suggestions for Further Study | 第71-73页 |
| Bibliography | 第73-79页 |
| Appendix | 第79-81页 |
