What is the proper way to use bullet points?
How to use bullet points
- Make sure all items in the list are related to each other.
- Use the same font and margin width in each bulleted point.
- Keep bullet points short, preferably no more than three lines long.
- Begin all items with the same part of speech (active verbs work well) and make sure they are in parallel form.
When should you use bullets in a list?
Bulleted lists are useful when you want to create a list that stands out from the text without implying a certain chronology or ordering of the items. Lists help the reader identify the key points in the text. However, cluttered and inconsistent bulleted lists can lead to the opposite result.
What is dot point format?
Items—known as “bullet points”—may be short phrases, single sentences, or of paragraph length. Bulleted items are not usually terminated with a full stop unless they are complete sentences. It is correct to terminate any bullet point with a full stop if the text within that item consists of one full sentence or more.
How do you introduce a bulleted list?
Introducing a bulleted list
- A colon ( : ) is the most common way to introduce a bulleted list. Examples:
- In informal writing, an introductory sentence can end with a period or question mark if it is a complete sentence. Examples:
- Do not introduce a bulleted list with a semicolon or comma. Incorrect:
Is it OK to use bullet points in a research paper?
Numbers, letters, and bullet points are not required in all cases. Academic writers who use The Chicago Manual of Style will find various formats there, but four common list formats are presented here.
Is it OK to use bullet points in an essay?
Bullet points are essential and imperative in writing experiences. Bullet points are used together with sub-paragraphs in most academic essays in the effective delivery and better comprehension among the readers. I use bullet points for easier formatting of my papers and easier processing of information.
Can you use bullets in a memo?
Bullets are used to present a list of short concepts, suggestions, or descriptions that are most usefully seen by your reader as a complete list. For busy readers, bullets and headings make skimming your memo easier and allow readers to find the essential points.
Do you need punctuation in bullet points?
Punctuation with bullet points If the text of your bullet point is a complete sentence (or multiple sentences), use capital letters and punctuation. If your points are not structured as proper sentences, you don’t need to end with punctuation.
Should bulleted lists be capitalized?
Yes. In business writing, capitalize the first letter of bullet lists. All style guides agree to capitalize the first letter of the bullet list unless you opt for the “vertical lists punctuated as a sentence” format using semicolons, illustrated above.
Do you use commas in a bulleted list?
So, how should you punctuate bulleted lists? a comma or no punctuation for lists that do not contain the main verb. a full stop after each sentence for lists that contain at least one item with multiple sentences. a semicolon otherwise.
Can you use bullet points in an introduction?
One of the best ways to do this is by using bullet points. The text that is used to introduce a section of bullet points should end in a colon. When the information provided in bullet points is a complete sentence, it should begin with a capital letter and end with proper punctuation.
Can I use bullet points in my dissertation?
Bullet Points An item in a bulleted list should only start with a capital letter if it constitutes a complete sentence (or several sentences). If the items do not constitute a sentence then it must be a list and should be punctuated accordingly.