[DQuadfather]

[ QUOTE ]
I think the best way is to do as follows.
1) Say "raise".
2) Call the previous bet by pushing in the necessary chips.
3) Announce the amount of your raise verbally or just put in chips in the amount you want to raise.

There are many ways to do this, but this specific method can't miss.

[/ QUOTE ]

I would just add the gloss that the intended raise has to go in all at once.

For example, blinds in an NL game are 100/200. Player in EP limps. Since you have suited A rag and know EP is trapping with KK, you excitedly declare "raise." You'd like to raise 4 x BB, since an A is sure to flop and you want EP's chips. You must then put 1000 into the pot - in one movement. You CANNOT call with 200, then throw in 400, then another 400. If you tried to, the last 400 would be disallowed. For this reason, you either have to make sure your raise goes in all at once, or that you state the amount of your raise at the outset (i.e., "raise to 1000"), after which you would be allowed to roll the chips in one at a time, if that was your bag.