雷根總統憑藉著幾十年累積而來的豐富演說及表演經驗,使他於一九八○年登上總統寶座,也在爾後的八年執政生涯中,這些經驗更被發揮的淋漓盡致,讓他獲得「偉大傳播者」的聲譽,本文以雷根總統演說風格作為研究現代「總統傳播」一個重要的對象,解析雷根的演說能力和技巧究竟有何特色。雷根成功的因素除了雷根本身的說服能力及媒體運用技巧外,還需加上他於演說時的隱喻性語言。由於這些話語中巧妙的隱喻深入民心,與民眾的感情、信仰結合在一起,勸服效果才會事半功倍。雷根演說的成功,除了本身的能力外,在他背後的文膽也功不可沒,再經由雷根自己優越的表達能力說出這些令人感動的言詞,才能真正達到說服民眾的效果,贏得「偉大溝通者」的美譽。
Ronald Reagan deservedly attained the reputation ”The Great Communicator” largely due to his rhetorical style, and this article examines aspects of his presidential speech during his eight-year administration. Significantly, President Reagan is the key person for researchers to study in the field of modern ”rhetorical presidency”, and finds Reagan's discourse, rhetorical strategy, and actions to attract media and people through recalling their inner feelings. The analysis suggests that the element of success originated with Reagan's talent and the strategies his speech staff set.