Abstract: Comprehending the meaning of a text is based on lexis. Lexis is the basement of text. If there is no lexis, there is no text either. Moreover, lexical repetition is considered as the main way to realize the coherence of the meaning of a text and it is the research focus of linguists. By using Hoey’s theory of lexical repetition pattern, this thesis chooses an argumentative text, counts its number of lexical repetition, and analyzes the role of lexical repetition in text organization and discovers whether lexical repetition has function in paragraphing English argumentative text.

Keywords: lexical repetition; lexical cohesion; paragraphing

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction1

2. Literature Review and Theoretical Framework.2

  2.1 Theory of Cohesion, Lexical Cohesion and Lexical Repetition

  2.2 Hoey’s Theory: Lexical Repetition Pattern

  2.3 Types of Lexical Repetition

3. Empirical Study5

  3.1 Research Design

  3.1.1 Object and Feasibility of the Study

  3.1.2 Research Methods: Hoey’s Lexical Matrix

  3.2 Data Analysis

  3.2.1 Data Processing and Matrix Constructing

  3.2.2 Analysis and Description of Data

 3.2.2.1 Identification of Central and Marginal Sentences

 3.2.2.2 Identification of Paragraphs

Conclusion

Bibliography.

Acknowledgements