如果想让讲演给听众井然有序、条理分明的印象，最简单的方法之一，是在讲演过程中明白地提示：你有几个重点，现在你讲的是哪点，接下来你又要讲到哪一点。One of the simplest ways to keep a talk shipshape in the minds of your listeners is to mention plainly as you go along that you are taking up first one point and then another.
“我的第一点是……”你完全可以坦白地这样说。讨论完这一点，再坦诚地提示将要谈第二点，就这样一直说到结束。My first point is this: ... You can be as blunt as that. When you've discussed the point, you can say frankly that you are going to the second one. You can keep on that way to the end.
罗夫·J.邦茨博士任联合国助理秘书长一职的时候，在纽约州罗契斯城市俱乐部主办的演讲会上发表过重要的演讲，他从一开始就是采用这种直率的方式：Dr. Ralph J. Bunche, when assistant secretary-general of the United Nations, began an important talk sponsored by the City Club of Rochester, New York, in this straightforward manner:
“今晚我讲演的题目是《人际关系的挑战》，是因为以下两个原因，”他说，接着说，“首先……其二……”从头到尾，他都小心翼翼地让听众明白他的每一个重点，他引领着听众得出结论：“我们不能对人类向善的天性失去信心。”I have chosen to speak tonight on the topic, 'The Challenge of Human Relations,' for two reasons, he said. He went on at once to add, "In the first place ... "He continued soon, "In the second place ... "Throughout the talk, he was careful to make clear to his audience that he was leading it, point by point, to his conclusion: We must never lose faith in man's potential power for good.
经济学家保罗·H.道格拉斯，在国会联合委员会想方设法，试图刺激一度停滞不前的商业的会议上，以委员税务专家和伊利诺伊州长参议员身份讲演，巧妙有效地使用了相同的办法。The same method was given an effective twist when the economist. Paul H. Douglas, spoke to a congressional joint committee struggling with means to stimulate business when it once was lagging in this country. He spoke both as a tax expert and as Senator from Illinois.
他这样开始：“我的主题是：最迅速、最有效的行动方式，是通过对中、低收入民众——那些几乎会用去所有收入的人们——采取减税。”My theme, he began, "is this: The quickest and most effective way to act is by means of a tax cut for lower and middle income groups-that is, those groups which tend to spend almost all their income."
然后用这样的方式继续他的演讲：Specifically... he went on.
“具体说……Further... he continued.
“进一步说……In addition... he continued.
“此外…… “有三个主要的理由……第一……第二……第三……。 “总而言之，我们需要的，是立即对中、低收入民众实行减税措施，以增加需求与购买力。”There are three principal reasons: ... First... Second ... Third... In summation, what we need is an immediate tax cut for low and middle income groups in order to increase demand and purchasing power."
