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之前與同學分享過，現今社會大部分的商業通信文件（business correspondences），如emails、memos、letters等都追求簡潔、清楚、易明和直接。
點列數列表最常見
為了達到這目的，同學除了應留意詞語的運用外，今日想和同學分享一個簡單的方法，可更有效令文章達到那目的：運用graphic highlighting。
Graphic highlighting是指運用不同類型的列舉方式（listing），以達到清楚說明。過往有人認為列舉方法有可能令到商業文件變得不夠formal（正式），但其實現在大部分人都接受和認為listing method有很多好處。
最常見的listing method有bulleted list（點列表）及numbered list（數列表）。我們亦可將不同的listing methods分類為vertical lists（直列）及horizontal lists（橫列）（見下）。
Effective （有效果）的graphic highlighting應有以下元素：一、應有一句introductory statement，如to... you should do the following，去帶出不同的要點；二、緊記要用類似的句式或結構，如下面的numbered list一例中，每一點都以動詞開頭（buy、clean、mix）。
●Bulleted list
To better prepare for your HKDSE, you should do the following:
．Familiarize yourself with various examination topics.
．Practise past exam papers.
．Learn how to tackle stress.
●Numbered list
To make Caesar salad, you should:
1. Buy all the ingredients such as Romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, pre-made Caesar dressing etc.
2. Clean the ingredients and chop them into bite-size pieces.
3. Mix them together.
●Horizontal list
In order to reduce stress, a person should (1) eat a healthy diet, (2) reduce sugar and caffeine intake, and (3) get enough sleep.
Exercise
Convert the following paragraph into a vertical bulleted list.
To enhance confidence, you should stay away from negativity, like negative friends and thoughts. Don't overlook the effect of image and body language. Finally, always be prepared for new things in your field, your job, or your next presentation.
Answer
To enhance confidence, you can do the following:
．Stay away from negativity, such as negative friends and negative thoughts.
．Change your body language and image.
．Be prepared for new things in your field, your job or your next presentation.
■Dr. A. Chan，哲學博士，哲學碩士，英語講師。熟悉公開考試之出題模式與評分準則，任教英語。
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