在最近的中美贸易谈判中，美国总统特朗普发表的言论给了我一些教写作修辞技巧的灵感，特别是夸张手法（Hyperbole）、对立手法（Antithesis）及暗喻（Metaphor）。

　　Hyperbole源自希腊文，意思是“过剩”（excess），是轻描淡写的相反。夸张修辞手法是强调文句中想表达的意思。

　　Antithesis“对立手法”，这种修辞手法着重把一个句子当中两个相反的意思放在一起，从而达到对比的效果。

　　特朗普近日就中美贸易战，在社交媒体发表了不少言论，在此举几个例子：

　　"Our great Patriot Farmers will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of what is happening now. Hopefully China will do us the honor of continuing to buy our great farm product, the best, but if not your Country will be making up the difference based on a very high China buy......"

　　"So that they will be more competitive for USA buyers. We are now a much bigger economy than China, ...... We are the 'piggy bank' that everyone wants to raid and take advantage of. NO MORE!"

　　大量强大正面的形容词及comparative form and superlative form of adjectives是特朗普运用词彙的特色。"Piggy bank"就是metaphor，寓意美国将会变成一隻满肚金钱的大肥猪一样。

　　当然，他这样做是想读者作出正面反应，至於真实情况是否如此，正所谓“识睇睇留言”，大家可从人们回应他的贴文中找到答案。

　　另外，我们也可以从特朗普的言论中看到Antithesis例子。

　　"China will be pumping money into their system and probably reducing interest rates, as always, in order to make up for the business they are, and will be, losing. If the Federal Reserve ever did a 'match' , it would be game over, we win! In any event, China wants a deal!"

　　他说若联邦储备局玩这个遊戏"match"，特别以"..."括住。中国便会game over“玩完”，美国就会胜利"we win!"

　　另外, 英文标点符号“,”也可以发挥强调字面意思的作用。在特朗普说"in order to make up for the business they are, and will be, losing."当中的两个“,”就是想强调中国将会在贸易战中失利的局面。

　　过去历届美国总统发言时也爱运用大量的夸张手法，我特别喜欢罗斯福总统在First Inaugural Address 的一句，"So first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

　　Alas, the madness is pouring out of the White House every day. It is probably something to "fear" and worrisome.

　　大专院校语文讲师、企业培训讲师及国际英文公开试主考官。

carolc.english@gmail.com