punctuation for bulleted lists

Select the desired bullet style from the menu that appears. To keep bullets simple and consistent, I take a dual approach to styling them, based on whether the items in the list are complete sentences or partial sentences. The statement is introducing a list. Punctuation of bulleted lists is always a nasty. 9. Bulleted lists. This page has examples of colons before lists and an interactive exercise. I take the liberty of using a colon after the word “include” in a bulleted list because the readers expect it. Ordered Vertical Lists Introduced by Complete Sentences. And what about lists with items that are simple words or phrases or sentence fragments? Vertical lists. To modify the bullet style: Select an existing list you want to format. Formatting and punctuation rules for lists and tables. In most contexts, capitalize each list item. The HTML element name for a bulleted list is "unordered list", because the list items are not arranged in numerical order (as they would be in a numbered list). Punctuating Bullet Points. capital or lowercase letters at the start of each point; punctuation at the end of each point; punctuation at the end of the last point in the list Colon Capitalize the first word after a colon only if it is a proper noun or the start of a complete sentence. If you don't format your lists correctly, adaptive technology users won't be able to identify the text as a list. Lines of multiline text can be formatted as a list. Consistency is the most important aspect here. However, clear bullet list punctuation adds visual “scan-ability” to your business writing. Punctuate bulleted list items only if they are complete sentences or verb phrases that complete the sentence begun by the lead-in (and use periods in these two cases). Lists … Formatting lists can be tricky and confusing, especially if you're trying to figure out the Bullets and Numbering dialog box. Punctuation of bulleted lists. Statements placed after the bullet should begin with capital letters and should be finished with just the proper punctuation. It clutters the list and makes it hard to read. Bulleted Lists; Bulleted lists help organize texts and project ideas without the need for any sequence of events or order of ideas. What is the correct punctuation for a list? It makes it easier for your reader. Use a period (full stop) after every bullet point that is a sentence (as these bullets do). The introductory sentence must end with a colon (:). Below are examples of vertical lists—which may be unnumbered, numbered, or bulleted—and how to introduce, punctuate, and capitalize them. Numeric lists should only be used when the order of the list is important to the reader, e.g. Use correct punctuation. Although a little old-fashioned, some people like to use semicolons or commas in lists. Bullets & Numbered Lists Standards Use bullets for a list that has 2 or more items. See Section 10, Exercise Material for more information about nested lists. I like oranges. Don't mix-and-match complete and incomplete sentences. For business premises, they employ the use of bulleted lists instead. Bulleted lists can be used with complete sentences, phrases, or a combination. In bulleted lists within text passages, the bullet is the punctuation. Start it with a phrase and a colon to introduce the list. 2 of 7 STEP 2 - Write the first band member. If the nonsentence items are numbered (or bulleted), use this style: 1. Our readers need to retrieve information fast. Use the list or paragraph formatting options in your document or presentation software or HTML list tags on a webpage. If a complete sentence introduces the bulleted list, each item in the list should end with a full stop, not a colon, and each point should begin with a capital letter. • These three items are examples of bulleted bullet points. 8.7.1 Print bullets are used to draw attention to a … ¶ Over 1.5 million copies sold! Use a period after every bullet point that completes the introductory stem. ¶ It is the indispensable reference for writers, editors, proofreaders, indexers, copywriters, designers, and publishers, informing the editorial canon with sound, definitive advice. Punctuating Bullet Points. 10. Avoid single-item lists. You can create bulleted lists, lettered or numbered lists, or simple outlines in multiline text. The course is held on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I like bananas. Don’t use a bulleted list for only one item. In bulleted and numbered lists, end each list item with a period if: Any item forms a complete sentence when combined with the list introduction that precedes the colon. The Associated Press Stylebook says when writing lists “use periods, not semicolons, at the end of each section, whether it is a full sentence or a phrase.” It’s hard for some people to wrap their heads around this rule, especially if each item on the list is not a full sentence. It doesn't matter that details like capitalization or punctuation inconsistencies seem small. On the Home tab, click the Bullets drop-down arrow. Although a little old-fashioned, some people like to use semicolons or commas in lists. Office of Public Affairs. Top ↑ Bulleted, numbered, and lettered lists # Bulleted, numbered, and lettered lists. According to the dean, the development is "an exciting opportunity for … If an item in the bulleted list is a complete sentence, the first word should be capped and there should be a period at the end of the sentence. If the first bulleted item is a declarative sentence in the present tense, the rest should also be declarative sentences in the present tense. For example, you should convert the sentence containing the embedded list into the following passage: The llamacatcher API enables callers to do the following: Create and query llamas. Should a list have full stops? When writing, we use punctuation to indicate these places of emphases. Put the bullet or number for the list within one … 3. They are used so frequently that it’s necessary to know how to punctuate them properly. Lists, bullets and numbers help to make text stand out (especially when they're used sparingly). Bulleted and numbered lists help simplify text for your reader. 1. The most common punctuation style for bulleted lists is open punctuation. When you add or delete an item, or move an item up or down a level, the list numbering automatically adjusts. Should the first word of bullet-list items be capitalized? I’m glad to see there’s some freedom in punctuating lists, as strict punctuation can sometimes negatively affect the reading flow. 8. Punctuation Bulleted lists. One book discusses capitalization, another partially discusses punctuation, and so on. If the item doesn't include a verb, don't add end punctuation. Here are the most common ways of punctuating them. Use a numbered list if: The items need to be in a set order. Bulleted lists rarely require punctuation. ← period; Omit periods if the items are fragments. It’s a matter of style. Bulleted lists. Write list items to have approximately similar line lengths. I also constantly find myself translating and reviewing documents that have very inconsistent grammar and punctuation in their bulleted lists. An excellent way to help them do this is to lay out information in bulleted lists. No other punctuation is required to separate listed items. Don’t use semicolons after points in a bulleted list. They introduce a bulleted list with a semi-colon. 11. Lists may be embedded in articles or may be stand-alone articles; Lists should have a self-explanatory title, and a lead-in description with further explanation as required. As a general rule, yes. If your list includes both individual words or phrases and full sentences, be consistent and either add or do not add periods to all items. • Possessive versus descriptive. Q: When a bulleted list is introduced by a brief comment, eg, “The principal signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are as follows,” and all of the items in the bulleted list are from the same source, does a citation need to be placed at the end of each bulleted item or is it sufficient to place the citation at the end of the brief introductory comment? Don't put ", or" or ", and" at the end of bullet items, either. Here’s an example: A clear mission statement can help your organization operate most effectively in several ways: ensuring that you are always operating in the public interest; providing focus for your activities, plans and resource allocation; building cohesion within your board and staff. If numbers aren’t essential, use bullets, especially in business documents. 2. Punctuation in bullet lists. A: AP uses dashes, not bullets, for lists in news stories that follow a colon. Compare these sentences: "The development is an exciting opportunity for Monash," the dean announced. The proper way to punctuate, she said, is to use periods when each item is one or more complete sentences, such as … A List Introduced with No Punctuation; Introduce a list with no punctuation at all when the part of the sentence preceding the list is an incomplete construction (i.e., not a main clause). #3: Punctuating Bulleted Lists. Numbered and unnumbered lists are utilized continuously for publications in academic journals and writings and also government papers. Use no punctuation after bullets that are not sentences and do not complete the stem. Bulleted lists are the commonest use-case at Radiopaedia.org and a great way to highlight content to a reader. Capitalize the first word of every bullet. Incorrect punctuation of bullet lists is a distraction and bad for readability and your message. Avoid single-item lists. Julie: If the nonsentence items are not numbered (or bulleted), use the plainest style: no caps no end punctuation Regarding punctuation: I follow the principle of punctuating bulleted lists and series as if they were written in sentence form, thus following the guidelines below. If each bullet or numbered point is a complete sentence, capitalize the first word and end each sentence with proper ending punctuation. 7 Tips for Presenting Bulleted Lists. A capital letter typically marks the beginning of a sentence. I prefer minimal punctuation. What is a fascination? In other words, use no punctuation at all if you would never use a period at … We simply prefer the clean look of minimalist punctuation. Use consistent list punctuation. See Sample 8-11: Columned Nested List Changed to Vertical List on page 8-24. When writing a list in sentence style, your introduction should be an independent clause, otherwise the colon is not justified. That’s because punctuation’s primary purpose is to provide signposts that tell the reader the relationship of words to each other. Punctuation, Bullets. You can remove and reapply list formatting with the same method as used in most text editors. Lists made with bullets are called bulleted lists. Now, in a list of bullet points, whether each item begins with a capital letter depends on the punctuation mark that comes before the item. Find it. Punctuating bulleted lists Bulleted lists are a great way of breaking down complicated information. But if there are errors in the text, those errors will stand out too. As always, it’s important to be consistent and use the same style throughout your document. Periods should only be used at the end of bulleted list items every item is a complete sentence. Bulleted lists should have at least two items. Capitalization. Always use periods, semicolons, etc. The trick: finish a sentence before beginning the bulleted list. Don't mix-and-match complete and incomplete sentences. There are two options for punctuating bulleted lists that consist of items listed as words or phrases. The statement is introducing a list. Mixed lists Punctuation of bulleted lists. Complete sentences introducing ordered lists are traditionally punctuated with a colon.. APA allows the use of bulleted lists with or without punctuation. by Timothy McAdoo. 11. The bullets indicate that I like apples, bananas, and oranges equally. Bulleted lists Capitalize the first word of every bullet. Bulleted lists in texts for the internet are best with minimal ending punctuation (usually none, preferably not semicolons), as that makes the list look cleaner and easier on the eye, given how people read on the net. Bullet List Practice Examine options for wording and punctuating vertical lists . The truth is that if they're in a bulleted/numbered list, they'll leap out at readers. –If the introductory statement is an independent clause, follow it with a colon or a period. Capitalize the first word of the bulleted content, and finish with a period only if it is a complete sentence. A simple list in running text (an in-line list) is separated by commas (remember to use the serial comma.) The truth is that if they're in a bulleted/numbered list, they'll leap out at readers. Otherwise, use bullets. For example, all should be imperative sentences (as in this list), noun phrases, declarative sentences, a … In most contexts, start each list item with a capital letter. In full sentences, include punctuation within the quote marks; for partial quotes, include punctuation outside. There are several different punctuation styles for lists. Use a bulleted list to show a list of related items. While some rules for punctuating bulleted lists differ, most are the same as those used for in-text lists. This handout should help to clarify when and how to use various marks of punctuation. Bulleted list items can be complete sentences or phrases or sentence fragments. For formal writing, or when every item in a bulleted list is its own sentence, you should always capitalize the first letter. A woman. Punctuate bulleted list items only if they are complete sentences or verb phrases that complete the sentence begun by the lead-in (and use periods in these two cases). If … Solution: If one bullet covers a full sentence, use periods at the end of each. Insert punctuation after the bulleted items as if the items were not in list form. Material that’s meant to be reader-friendly or scannable, or that has a strong visual dimension (brochures, posters, PowerPoint slides), benefits from the clean style of no punctuation. Bulleted lists rarely require punctuation. Review vertical lists: Bulleted Lists Write bulleted lists for items that don’t have to be in one order and numbered lists for items that must be in order. When we provide a visual formatting of a list in our layout, we must provide an equivalent experience to the non-sighted user. That’s why our… Create bullet lists with consistent punctuation; End each item with a semi-colon, because bullets are actually a series; Close the bulleted list with a period. Generally speaking, embedded lists are a poor way to present technical information. Do not use commas or semicolons at the end of each item. 8.7 Bulleted Lists. when individual items in the list contain sentences. Feel free to use bulleted lists when you are writing a list of things that can be read in any order (like, a feature list, for example, when your only concern would be placing the more important changes at … After each dash, capitalize the first letter and use periods at the end of each section. The department prefers bullets, but punctuate them per AP style: After each bullet, capitalize the first letter and use periods at the end of each item. .." Each item in the list below is a complete sentence, so it must have an appropriate end mark of punctuation. Use no punctuation after bullets that are not sentences and do not complete the stem. You can use bullet point punctuation to form a list of features. ), a space, and some text.Then press Enter. This isn’t wrong – just another style (and there are many other styles). If the bullet is a sentence, or multiple sentences, each sentence should end with a period. In bulleted and numbered lists, end each line with a period if: Any line text is a complete sentence when combined with the text introduction that precedes the colon. The Managing Director made three comments about using information technology. However, in order to make the right impression, it’s important to make sure that all lists in your text are well presented and that punctuation is … If you feel punctuation does not matter, consider the impact of punctuation in these bullet lists: A woman without her man is nothing. : The park has: some bears; many deers, which are quite friendly, like to eat camp food, and watch visitors; and other animals, most of which live in the trees. 4. If the bullet is a phrase (not a complete sentence), it should not end in a period. Use Bullet & Number Feature to Make Lists Lists are meant to function and behave in a certain way in Web content. To be successful in sales, one should: • Dress appropriately, When creating bulleted lists, follow these guidelines: Make each item in the list parallel to the others. Maintain the right style throughout. If the bulleted text is a full sentence, capitalize the first letter of the first word and end the paragraph with a period. If an item in the bulleted list is a complete sentence, then the first word should be capped and there should be a period at the end of the sentence. Do not use commas or semicolons at the end of each item. Semi-colons are usually used to provide a natural pause in a sentence and are therefore not appropriate to introduce a bullet or other list. The rule of thumb is to be consistent. If you use full sentences, add a period at the end of each sentence. For example, my first point is a sentence of its own. Numbered lists may appear with or without the period after the number. 7 Tips for Presenting Bulleted Lists. Consult a dictionary or usage guide for more detailed information about punctuation. This is usually done when each list entry finishes an introductory phrase, as shown below: As bulleted list enthusiasts, we often get asked about how to punctuate them. The days of long sentences in long paragraphs are long gone. Resume writers recommend that you list achievements and job responsibilities using bulleted lists instead of regular paragraphs. Bulleted Lists: Capitalization and Punctuation ©Judy Vorfeld Before the introduction of word processing (via word processors and computers), most publications displayed lists in either outline form or numbered lists. A list of information can be neatly organised using bullet points. Are bulleted lists allowed in APA Style. In this section, we’ll tell you when to use a semicolon in a list. An initial cap at the beginning 2. Example. If there is only one, it can most likely be added to the sentence before it. Here’s an example of an inconsistent bullet list. The bullet, that simple little black dot, shows the relationship between the smaller ideas, the ones that are bulleted, and the larger idea, the lead-in statement. No sentence-ending punctuation. It may be punctuated, indented, bulleted, and numbered. What is the correct punctuation for a list? Use a colon after introductory text: Services for new parents include the following: New Parent Support Program The non-sighted user with a screen reader will be able to expose the number of items in a list, and be able to jump from list to list Bulleted lists may be comprised of complete sentences or phrases. For breakfast visitors will be given a choice of – corn flakes or rice crispies; fruit juice or yoghurt; grapefruit or museli with cream The Chicago Manual of Style Online is the venerable, time-tested guide to style, usage, and grammar in an accessible online format. There are various styles of punctuation used for bulleted lists, but one thing is clear: in running text, you should always introduce your the list with a colon (:). Bulleted lists that are not preceded by a colon should form a sentence in their own right. This is the fourth in a six-part series. If a complete sentence introduces the bulleted list, each item in the list should end with a full stop, not a colon, and each point should begin with a capital letter. When to Capitalize the First Letter in a Bulleted Item; Begin each bulleted item … The following example of a bulleted list contains a complete lead-in sentence. For breakfast visitors will be given a choice of – corn flakes or rice crispies; fruit juice or yoghurt; grapefruit or museli with cream A list may be laid out vertically or horizontally. Grammar & Punctuation of List Items. Should a list have full stops? Lists of bullet points will have more impact if each one begins with the same word class (part of speech) and if they are all of a similar length. Numeric lists. Watch out for bulleted lists with more than 6 or 8 list items; for long bulleted lists, look for ways to subdivide or consolidate. The items should share a similar level of importance. In this type of list, each bulleted or numbered item can stand alone as a complete sentence. Numbered and unnumbered lists are more commonly used in scholarly publications. Each item must be a continuation of the introductory sentence . End punctuation if the list items are complete sentences; No end punctuation if the list items are characters, words, or phrases; For more guidance on using lists, see Best practices for writing with lists. Type* and a space before your text, and Word will make a bulleted list.. To complete your list, press Enter until the bullets or numbering switch off.. Punctuation in lists¶ In bulleted lists: If you list individual words or phrases, do not add a period at the end of each list item. Bulleted lists work best when they include related items. 13. When possible, write bullet items to be approximately the same length, so that one doesn’t overpower another. Numbers, bullets, and indentation. You don’t need a semicolon at the end of each list item for bullet and numbered lists. Consistency is the key to punctuation in bulleted lists. One Brookings Drive. Note: If you are reproducing, quoting, or paraphrasing a list taken from a source, the citation would appear at the end of the last item. Since the text that comes after a bullet point shouldn’t look like a paragraph, you might be wondering about how to handle punctuation in bulleted lists. The AP Stylebook (recognized as the leading guide for business writing, digital writing, and journalism) scraps the semi-colon at the end of a bullet point. A list in which each point is a complete sentence. I like apples. –If the introductory statement is an independent clause, follow it with a colon or a period. Do not use any punctuation after the bulleted items. It depends on the type of bullets that you write, but the key is to keep your punctuation consistent. Bulleted Lists (APA 7, Section 6.52) Bulleted lists are appropriate when presenting a list of items in no particular order. Bulleted lists help make information more scannable and easier to understand. Some style guides will suggest that when bullets are fragments you should put a semicolon at the end of each one, write ‘and’ at the end of the next-to-last bullet, then have a full stop after the final one. Vertical lists are usually indented and either bulleted or numbered. No other punctuation is required to separate listed items. Automatic Punctuation of Bulleted Lists Apart from making frequent use of tables, another way of efficiently capturing information in text documents is to use bulleted lists. ... Never use a comma between your lead-in and the bulleted items. This includes bullet points like the image above where only single words are displayed on each line. Vertical lists are more prominent than horizontal ones and stand out more from the rest of the text. However, bulleted lists made of longer phrases or sentences may need some kind of punctuation. In-sentence lists are used more in formal writing. The students’ (all the students) classes were canceled. A list about lists. There is actually at least one book on proper grammar and punctuation for creating bullet lists. The key thing is applying a clear and consistent punctuation style to all lists. Especially when the lead-in … How a list is punctuated depends on the sort of information that is being presented. ← period The semicolon (;), although widely used, is incorrect. Bulleted lists are appropriate when presenting a list of items in no particular order. Given said that, if you start using periods (full stop) then use it for all the bullet points. Do you use punctuation in a bulleted list? Example: Follow these pro tips for punctuating lists: Use periods for complete sentences. Bulleted Lists. List items should be double-spaced and indented .5 inch. Numbered Lists. 12. Use a period after every bullet point that completes the introductory stem. Bullet points, often called dot points, are more commonly used than numbers in lists, but numbers are useful if the order matters or … Don't use punctuation in bulleted lists, unless 1 of the items contains 2 or more complete sentences. Bulleted Lists: APA uses bulleted lists to avoid the perception of importance/priority connotated in numbered lists. If you have sentence items, each of them must begin with an uppercase letter and end with a full stop. Public users are able to search the site without a subscription. The MLA’s guidelines for styling vertical lists are derived from The Chicago Manual of Style (6.127–132). If you can choose your own style, please don’t use semicolons – they really are very old-fashioned! In some situations, a numbered list may give the impression that one item in the list is more important than another; a bulleted list may be preferable. . Numbered, lettered, and bulleted lists. Bulleted lists. 2. However, bulleted lists made of longer phrases or sentences may need some kind of punctuation. Bulleted lists. Normal sentence capitalization and end punctuation rules apply. NJ's suggestion is very sensible. Write it. End each list item with a period or other appropriate sentence-ending punctuation, except in the following cases: If the item consists of a single word, don't add end punctuation. If the each line item in the list logically ends what comes before the colon, or if each line item is a complete sentence, place an end mark after each (not commas or semicolons); otherwise, use nothing. Bulleted items that are complete sentences should begin with a capital letter and end with a punctuation mark. Include a period at the end of the bullet only if that point is a complete sentence. Periods should only be used at the end of bulleted list items every item is a complete sentence. Using numbers can aid discussion of, or reference to, items. When the bulleted items are not complete sentences, I gauge the material and the audience, then decide on either no punctuation or full punctuation. 3 Style guides are all over the place on this issue, but we like to keep it simple (no surprise there). There are many ways to format bullet lists—including with punctuation and without. Use the same spacing for in-sentence lists as in regular non-list text. If bulleted items are words or phrases (but not complete sentences), begin each item with a lowercase letter (except words such as proper nouns).There are two options for the punctuation of bulleted lists when the items are words or phrases. That’s why our answer is: Whenever possible, don’t punctuate bullets in consumer health materials. That’s because punctuation’s primary purpose is to provide signposts that tell the reader the relationship of words to each other. Usage. Each bullet should start with a capital letter and end with a full stop. Today we’ll look at numbered lists. My second point is, as well. See APA 7, Section 6.52 for examples and more information. 12. If a sentence contains more than three items or ideas, we recommend breaking them up into a bulleted list. Preferred style is without terminal punctuation, unless the list item is a complete sentence. So, the main rule here is: always use numbered lists when there’s an algorithm described. When do I capitalize the first letter in a bulleted item? that they’re compelled to … Write list items to have approximately similar line lengths.   Most of the grammar books I own only partially address vertical lists. Only use an ordered list if the order or number of items matters, as in a list of steps. Jump To: Lists. Write it. It’s a little scary to venture an opinion on this one, given the ferocity of opinions on bulleted lists. apa bullet point format example Capitalize the first word of every bullet. You can introduce bullet points (or any vertical list) with a colon. Punctuation with bullet points If the text of your bullet point is a complete sentence (or multiple sentences), use capital letters and punctuation. Individual list items following a complete sentence are usually capitalized but appear without terminal punctuation (i.e., they don’t end in a period, comma, colon, or semicolon) if they are incomplete sentences, phrases, or single words.

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