Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Research back ground
1.2 Research objectives
1.3 Outlines of the current study
Chapter 2 Literature review
2.1 Previous definitions and features of RQs
2.2 Previous distinction between RQs and other question types
2.3 Previous identification of RQs by linguistic indicators and context
2.4 Previous studies on functions of RQs
2.5 Previous studies on the two genres involved in the current study
2.6 Summary
Chapter 3 Theoretical framework Relevance Theory
3.1 Speech Act Theory
3.2 Gricean Maxims vs. neo-Griceans and post-Griceans
3.3 The major concepts in Relevance Theory
3.4 Summary of claims in Relevance Theory
3.5 Interpretation of interrogatives in Relevance Theory
3.6 Interpretation of figurative language in Relevance Theory
3.7 Interpretation process of an utterance in Relevance Theory
Chapter 4 Methodology in the current study
4.1 Methodological procedure of the current study
4.2 Brief introduction to corpus linguistics and the corpora used in the current study
4.3 Extracting questions from the two genres
4.4 Criterion for identifying and interpreting an RQ in the current study
4.5 Summary
Chapter 5 Applying analysis categories:question types for inclusion or exclusion
5.1 Cases excluded from the current study
5.2 Distinguishing RQs from other question types in the data
5.3 Analysis of RQ categories
5.4 Summary
Chapter 6 Analysis of RQs in American and British campaign speeches
6.1 Theoretical considerations of Speech Act Theory and Gricean Principle in accounting for political RQs
6.2 Use of RQs rather than direct assertions in political speeches
6.3 Identification and interpretation of political RQs with linguistic indicators in terms of Relevance Theory
6.4 Identification and interpretation of political RQs without linguistic indicators in terms of Relevance Theory
6.5 RQs with explicit answers provided in political speeches
6.6 RQs not observing polarity shift in political speeches
6.7 RQs containing other rhetorical devices in political speeches
6.8 Summary
Chapter 7 Analysis of RQs in newspaper editorials
7.1 Theoretical considerations of Speech Act Theory and Gricean Principle in accounting for editorial RQs
7.2 Mode-related differences between RQs in political speeches and newspaper editorials
7.3 Identification and interpretation of editorial RQs with linguistic indicators in terms of Relevance Theory
7.4 Identification and interpretation of editorial RQs without linguistic indicators in terms of Relevance Theory
7.5 RQs with explicit answers provided in editorials
7.6 RQs not observing polarity shift in editorials
7.7 RQs containing other rhetorical devices in editorials
7.8 RQs serving as titles or subtitles in newspaper editorials
7.9 Summary
Chapter 8 Conclusions
8.1 Background to the current study
8.2 Summary of the discussion throughout the current study
8.3 Summary of contributions to the field of RQ study
8.4 Limitations,applications and avenues for future research