| APPRAISAL theory, first introduced by linguist Martin in the early 1990s, is a theoretical system which is supposed to describe and explain the usage of language. It is used to analyze the interpersonal function and semantic evaluations at the discourse semantic level and it also concerns with negotiable attitudes in the discourse. In other words, the theory explores methods in which people use language to express attitude, judgment and appreciation, and the way of realizing empathy and ultimately achieving the purpose of persuasion.The study explores the interpersonal function of the English motor vehicle advertisement within the framework of the APPRAISAL theory. Advertisement plays an important role in our daily life and the range of it is so vast that the thesis only focuses on one kind of the most common commercial advertisements-the English motor vehicle advertisement. Since language is the core of it, pictures and audio materials in advertisements will not be discussed in the study.Through the study, it is found that the English motor vehicle advertisement usually describes the quality, performance and features of products in an objective way by using proper attitudinal resources and evaluative language. A few AFFECT and JUDGMENT resources are found in the advertisement. JUDGMENT resources are mainly used to affirm the demand of the product is appropriate and reasonable. A lot of APPRECIATION resources are used to praise the motor vehicles highly in order to arouse the interest of the potential customers. Most evaluation resources are positive. Meanwhile, in order to make the information seem more objective, advertisers try to hide themselves in conveying the information. And a lot of raise GRADUATION resources are used to emphasize the merits of the products while a few low GRADUATION resources are used to reduce the exaggeration of the products and stress the features simultaneously. This strategy makes the advertisement seem more reliable.
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