Decimal numbering
小数编号法

Many companies, and most government institutions, like to use numbers rather than headings to emphasize the subdivisions of a document, and some go so far as to number every paragraph. This approach is claimed to have the advantage that any single topic or recommendation can be easily and precisely referred to.
许多公司和大多数政府机构更喜欢用数字而不是标题来强调文档的分段，有些甚至为每段编号。这种方法被认为的优势是，任何单一主题或建议都可以轻松而精确地引用。

However, frequent index numbers do tend to interrupt the reader’s concentration on the content of the document, or on any section of it, as a whole.
然而，频繁的编号确实会打断读者对文档内容或其中任何部分的整体注意力。

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Guidelines for using numbering effectively:
有效使用编号的指导原则：

1. Use numbering in conjunction with headings:
   如果您决定使用编号，可能更明智的是将其作为快速指南与标题结合使用，而不是取代标题。标题的价值在于使读者在阅读时快速抓住要点，如果之后几天需要回顾内容，标题仍能发挥作用。

2. Provide clear references:
   例如，“在4.1节讨论制造业利润...”比简单地说“在4.1节...”更清晰。这种引用更有助于读者快速理解和记忆上下文中的具体内容。

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Exhibit 26: Example of using headings and numbers
图表26：标题与编号的示例

• 5. DELIVERY AND THE USE OF WORDS
  5. 演讲与语言的使用
  Should the presenter have a written script, or just talk more or less spontaneously from a few notes? This is a constantly recurring issue, and one to which more people come up with the wrong answer than any other.
  演讲者应该准备完整的演讲稿，还是根据少量笔记即兴发挥？这是一个经常出现的问题，且更多人得出的是错误答案。

  5.1 THE PROBLEMS OF UNSCRIPTED PRESENTATION
  5.1 即兴演讲的问题
  For most of us, that sort of performance is an inspiration rather than a description. Our tongues are not so honeyed, and our words are less winged.
  对于大多数人来说，这种演讲形式更多的是灵感的体现，而非内容的描述。我们的语言不够优美，表达也不够自由。

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Use a clear numbering system
使用清晰的编号系统

1. There is no other animal that will suffer to the death to aid its master as will a dog.
   没有其他动物会像狗一样，为帮助主人而赴死。

   1.1 Other animals will run when danger nears.
   其他动物在危险逼近时会逃跑。

   1.1.1 **The dog will remain.**

**狗会留下来。**

1.1.1.1 **Even though it might mean death.**

**即使这意味着死亡。**

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Do not overuse numbering:
避免过度使用编号：

These examples show the relationships of the numbered levels to each other, rather than the actual form they should take. The form, as Exhibit 23 indicates, should reflect the actual divisions of thought in the piece of writing.
这些示例展示了编号级别之间的关系，而不是它们应该采用的实际形式。正如图表23所示，形式应反映文档中实际的思想划分。