Lists
When highlighting attributes or selling points, it’s often beneficial to list these items using numbers or bullet points rather than bury them inside paragraphs. This way, readers will be able to spot them instantly, even if they only spend a few seconds scanning the page.
Rules for Creating Lists
Bulleted lists should always be utilized when the sequence of the items being listed is not important or relevant. By contrast, numbered lists should be utilized when the sequence of the items is important, such as establishing a hierarchy or outlining a step-by-step process that must go in a certain order.
Here's how to access new project files:
- Log onto the shared drive.
- Click on the bottom folder.
- Click on files you wish to view.
Grammar
Each line item on a bulleted or numbered list should begin with the same part of speech.
When you work with us, you’ll benefit from:
- Prompt service
- Attention to detail
- Quality craftsmanship
Introduce a list with a sentence or fragment ending in a colon, but make sure that each item on the list can finish off the sentence in a grammatically correct fashion.
When choosing a college, consider:
- Tuition costs
- Dorm room options
Capitalize the first word of every list item.
Punctuation
Put a period after each list item that isn’t a fragment on its own.
When you go to the beach, you should:
- Use sunscreen.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Exercise caution when swimming.
If all of the list items are sentence fragments, don’t use any ending punctuation, even if the items complete the sentence fragment that introduces the list.
When you go to the beach, you should bring:
- Sunscreen
- Water
- A towel
When constructing a list, make sure that all listed items are either complete sentences or sentence fragments.