| Acknowledgements | 第4-6页 |
| Academic Achievements | 第6-7页 |
| 摘要 | 第7-9页 |
| Abstract | 第9-10页 |
| Table of contents | 第11-13页 |
| List of Figures | 第13-14页 |
| List of Tables | 第14-15页 |
| Chapter One Introduction | 第15-17页 |
| 1.1 The Significance of the Research | 第15-16页 |
| 1.2 Research Aims | 第16页 |
| 1.3 Organization of the Thesis | 第16-17页 |
| Chapter Two Literature Review | 第17-26页 |
| 2.1 Studies on Metaphor | 第17-22页 |
| 2.1.1 Studies on Metaphor Abroad | 第18-21页 |
| 2.1.1.1 Traditional Studies on Metaphor Abroad | 第18-20页 |
| 2.1.1.2 Contemporary Studies on Metaphor Abroad | 第20-21页 |
| 2.1.2 Studies on Metaphor in China | 第21-22页 |
| 2.2 Studies on Metaphor in Political Discourse | 第22-25页 |
| 2.2.1 Metaphors and Politics | 第22-23页 |
| 2.2.2 Functions of Metaphor in Political Discourses | 第23页 |
| 2.2.3 Studies on Metaphor in Political Discourses Abroad | 第23-24页 |
| 2.2.4 Studies on Metaphor in Political Discourses at Home | 第24-25页 |
| 2.3 Summary | 第25-26页 |
| Chapter Three Theoretical Foundation | 第26-38页 |
| 3.1 The Nature of Conceptual Metaphor | 第26-27页 |
| 3.2 Working Mechanism of Conceptual Metaphor | 第27-30页 |
| 3.3 Classification of Conceptual Metaphor | 第30-34页 |
| 3.3.1 Structural Metaphor | 第30-31页 |
| 3.3.2 Orientational Metaphor | 第31-32页 |
| 3.3.3 Ontological Metaphor | 第32-34页 |
| 3.4 Features of Conceptual Metaphor | 第34-36页 |
| 3.5 The Experiential Basis of Conceptual Metaphor | 第36-38页 |
| Chapter four Methodology | 第38-44页 |
| 4.1 Data Collection | 第38-39页 |
| 4.2 Research Procedure | 第39-40页 |
| 4.3 Data Analysis | 第40-44页 |
| Chapter five Studies on Conceptual Metaphors in 2008 American Presidential Debates | 第44-61页 |
| 5.1 Classification of Conceptual Metaphors in American Presidential Debates | 第44-45页 |
| 5.2 Mapping Processes and Cognitive Patterns of Conceptual Metaphors in American Presidential Debates | 第45-58页 |
| 5.2.1 Mapping Processes and Cognitive Patterns of Orientational Metaphors in American Presidential Debates | 第45-47页 |
| 5.2.2 Mapping Processes and Cognitive Patterns of Ontological Metaphors in American Presidential Debates | 第47-50页 |
| 5.2.3 Mapping Processes and Cognitive Patterns of Structural Metaphors in American Presidential Debates | 第50-58页 |
| 5.3 Ideologies and Cultural Identity Embodied in the Presidential Candidates' Conceptual Metaphors | 第58-61页 |
| Chapter six Conclusion | 第61-64页 |
| 6.1 Major Findings and Implications | 第61-62页 |
| 6.2 Limitations and Suggestions | 第62-64页 |
| References | 第64-68页 |
