Course Catalog / BMU 160 / Lesson 1 of 5
BMU 160
Lesson 1: One point, one example, one ask
Warm up
1. Think of a time someone talked for a long while and you were not sure what they wanted. What would have helped?
See the answer
Most people say: tell me the point, and tell me what you need from me.
Why this matters
You do not need to be a natural speaker to be heard. Most of the talks that matter in daily life are short. Think of an update at work, a comment in a meeting, a question at a school board meeting, or a request to a landlord. A short talk works best when it has a clear shape.
In this course you build that shape, practice it out loud, record yourself, and learn to listen in a way people notice. You finish with a recorded two minute talk you really need and a short listening log.
Start with what you already do
You already do this when you ask for a favor. You say what you need, why it matters, and what you want the other person to do.
Common belief: Good speakers just talk without a plan.
What is actually true: Most clear talks are planned. Public health writers at the CDC check that a message has one main point and a clear action. You can use the same idea when you speak.
In this lesson you will
- Write the one point of a short talk in one or two sentences
- Pick one example that makes the point real
- Write one clear ask that tells people what to do next
- Put the three parts in order for a two minute talk
Key words
- main point
- The one thing you want people to remember.
- example
- A short, real detail that shows why the point matters.
- ask
- What you want the listener to do, decide, or know next.
- call to action
- The CDC term for the ask: what you want people to do after they hear the message.
What this course is and is not
Short explanation
A short talk needs three parts. First, say your one point. Next, give one example that makes it real. Last, make one clear ask. Keep it in that order, and your listener will know what you mean and what you want.
Part 1: One point
The CDC Clear Communication Index asks writers to have one main message, the one thing the audience must remember, in one to three short sentences. Do the same before you speak. If you cannot say your point in one or two sentences, you are not ready to talk yet. Write it down and cut it until it is short.
Part 2: One example
An example turns a point into a picture. Pick one detail that your listener will care about, such as a number, a time, or a short scene. One strong example is better than three weak ones, because people can hold on to it.
Part 3: One ask
The CDC calls this a call to action: what you want people to do after they understand the message. Your ask should be specific. Say who should do what, and by when. A talk with no ask often ends with polite nods and no change.
Fit it into two minutes
Say your point in the first 20 seconds. Spend most of the time on the example. Save the last 20 seconds for the ask, and then say the point one more time. Time yourself with your phone timer, because everyone speaks at a different speed.
Text version of this figure
- 1. One point: First 20 seconds. One or two sentences.
- 2. One example: Most of the time. A number, a time, or a scene.
- 3. One ask: Who does what, by when. Then say the point again.
- Made up example: "We need two more people on Saturday. Last week three orders went out late. Can you approve two extra shifts by Friday?"
Worked example: Plan a made up work update
Rosa is a made up shift lead. She has two minutes at a team meeting.
| Part | Model | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| One point | "Our weekend shift is short two people, and it is slowing down orders." | Short enough to say in one breath. |
| One example | "Last Saturday, orders waited 25 minutes at the counter, and three customers left." | A number and a scene people can picture. |
| One ask | "I am asking for one person from the weekday team to cover each Saturday this month. Please tell me by Friday." | Says who, what, and by when. |
| Close | "Two more people on Saturdays keeps orders moving." | The point again, so it sticks. |
Practice: Find the ask
A made up parent plans a school board comment: "The bus stop on Elm Street has no crosswalk. Kids cross four lanes at 7 a.m." What is missing, and what could it be?
Check your practice: feedback
Missing: the ask.
One option: "I am asking the board to request a crosswalk study for the Elm Street stop and report back at the next meeting." It says who, what, and when.
Common mistakes
- Starting with a long story. Start with the point. The story becomes your example.
- Using three or four examples. Pick the one your listener will care about most.
- Ending with "So, yeah." End with your ask and then your point.
Try it: Plan your real talk
Pick your scenario:
- A work update or request
- A comment at a public meeting
- A talk with a teacher, doctor, or landlord
- Pick one talk you really need to give in the next month.
- Write your one point in one or two sentences.
- Write one example with a number, a time, or a short scene.
- Write one ask that says who, what, and by when.
- Read it out loud once and time it.
Do it by: this week
Reflect
Which part was hardest to write: the point, the example, or the ask? Why do you think so?
Check your understanding
1. Which is the best one point for a short talk?
- Our weekend shift is short two people, and orders are slow.
- There are a lot of things going on lately.
- I want to talk about many issues today.
See the answer and feedback
A is correct. Right. It is short and clear.
B: That is too vague to remember. Review Part 1.
C: One talk, one point. Review Part 1.
2. What makes an ask clear?
- It is polite and very long.
- It says who should do what, and by when.
- It is saved for a later meeting.
See the answer and feedback
B is correct. Right. Specific asks get action.
A: Length does not make it clear. Review Part 3.
C: Make the ask in this talk. Review Part 3.
3. In a two minute talk, where should most of the time go?
- The ask.
- Saying thank you.
- The example.
See the answer and feedback
C is correct. Right. The example makes the point real.
A: The ask is short and comes at the end. Review Fit it into two minutes.
B: A quick thanks is fine, but it is not the core. Review Fit it into two minutes.
Takeaway: a short talk
- One point in one or two sentences
- One example with a number, time, or scene
- One ask: who, what, by when
- Point first, ask last, point again
- Time it with your phone
Recap
- Say your one point first.
- Use one strong example.
- Make one clear ask.
- Time it.
You now have: a written plan for a real talk you need to give.
Next up
Next you will learn why nerves happen and two ways to calm them. Lesson 2: Nerves are normal. BMU 160 is part of BMU All Access. All Access is $9.99 a month and gives you unlimited access to the course catalog. Sign up free as a Founding Member to continue. Public enrollment opens Nov 9, 2026.
Sources
- CDC Clear Communication Index: Does the material contain one main message statement? (last reviewed Aug 7, 2019) (current as of Oct 29, 2026)
- CDC Clear Communication Index User Guide (PDF): main message and call to action (current as of Oct 29, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy: Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success (PDF, Communication and Teamwork sections) (current as of Oct 29, 2026)
