Evaluation Theory From Martin's College Students' Identity

Martin's Appraisal Theory mainly focuses on the lexicon of the speakers, by means of which the appraisal functions are conveyed. The present thesis will apply it in the study of college students' identity crisis.College years are the critical period in the forming of identity and high time for identity crisis for college students. Data analysis shows two types of identity crises in college students, namely self-identity crisis and social identity crisis. Self-identity crisis specifies itself in lacking the sense of belonging, feeling disoriented for the future and losing value orientation, while social identity crisis manifests itself in the alienation of responsibility, improper prospects for future vocation, and the feeling of social denial.In language use, the two types of identity crises show themselves in the excessive use of negative affects. Moreover many negative judgments can show the lack of the sense of belonging, improper prospects of future vocation and the feeling of social denial; a good many negative appreciations can display crises of disoriented feeling for the future, losing value orientation and the alienation of responsibility.