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Chapter One Introduction

1.1 Research Background
Interpersonal function can be revealed via mood and modality. Mood andmodality can reveal the intimacy and remoteness of interpersonal relationship, but theevaluation of the speakers on things can not be expounded, which is the limitation.Therefore, Martin (1999) further developed the systemic functional linguistics and putforward appraisal theory in 1990s. According to Wang Zhenhua (2001), AppraisalTheory is also called appraisal system, and it is focused on the positive or negativeattitude of the speakers or writers to the people, place, event, phenomenon and the waysof the writers or speakers’ negotiating and indicating the personal attitude and stance.Appraisal Theory expresses stance and connects with the readers or listeners byevaluating the people, emotion or behavior that is involved in the texts. Wang Zhenhua(2001) and Li Zhanzi (2004) made a specific and detailed introduction to appraisaltheory and the theory was applied to the analysis of the law discourses and academicdiscourses. In addition, other researchers (Shan Huifang & Ding Suping, 2006; ShangBiwu, 2008; Zhang Zhuli, 2009) applied appraisal theory to the analysis of the discourseof fairy tales and fictions. Shan Xuguang (2009) explored the evaluative devices in thethesis of science and technology. As for the counterterrorism speeches, Liang Bing(2007) analyzed Bush’s counterterrorism speeches from the perspective of conceptualmetaphor. Zhang Kun (2014) analyzed Bush’s and Obama’s counterterrorism speechesfrom interpersonal meaning. been studied from the appraisal theory by anyone, although Li Xiaokang (2009) made ananalysis of Bush’s counterterrorism speeches from the perspective of attitude under theframework of the appraisal theory. Therefore, in the thesis, five counterterrorismspeeches delivered by Obama will be analyzed from the perspective of appraisal theory.The event of September 11th, 2001 takes terrorism to the international politicalstage. The terrorism activities have disrupted the international community and theterrorism has become the tumor disease of international community. Counterterrorism isregarded as an important security goal by many countries. Therefore, thecounterterrorism is unfolding gradually in the world. After the “9.11”event, the UnitedStates has launched several wars against terrorism. American president Obama hasdelivered about 35 speeches on counterterrorism and the counterterrorism is especiallyvital and outstanding in Obama’s foreign policy. Counterterrorism has become a hottopic. Therefore, the speeches of counterterrorism are attracting an increasing number ofattentions.
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1.2 Aim and Significance of the Research
A study of Obama’s counterterrorism speeches from theperspective of the Appraisal Theory can complement previous researches in the relatedfield. This study will offer a further proof that Appraisal Theory can be applied toanalyzing counterterrorism speeches.The other one is the practical significance. This study can deepen people’sunderstanding of how to convey the speaker’s attitudes and stances. The research canpromote people’s understanding of president’s speeches. Above all, through the research ofthe speeches, the ideologies and personal stances of the president Obama can be knownclearly. In the meanwhile, the practical use of the appraisal theory can be extended tocounterterrorism speeches.
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