Using Bullet Points


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When using bullet points, be consistent with the formatting and try to start each bullet with the same type of word (i.e. create parallel lists).

Formatting with Bullets Points

When using bullets, be consistent throughout the document with the formatting (e.g. capital letters and punctuation at the start and end of each bullet). Choose whatever format you like, but be consistent throughout your document. Below are some common formats:

Capital letter and full stop/period Dr Mole won the following events: Egg-and-spoon race. Toss the pancake. Apple bobbing.	Lowercase letters and no end mark Dr Mole won the following events: egg-and-spoon race toss the pancake apple bobbing
Punctuate like a sentence Dr Mole won the following events: egg-and-spoon race, toss the pancake, and apple bobbing.	Punctuate like a sentence with semicolons Dr Mole won the following events: egg-and-spoon race; toss the pancake; and apple bobbing. To be grammatically pure, you should only use this formatting when your list items contain commas.

Be Consistent!

Dr Mole won the following events:

Egg-and-spoon race.

Toss the pancake.

apple bobbing.

Should be a capital A on "apple bobbing."

Be Logical!

Ensure all your bullets make sense with the words of introduction. Here is an example that doesn't from a bottle of fluoride mouthwash:

Helps Fight Freshens Breath

The last bullet does not link logically to the words of introduction.

Create Parallel Lists (Use the Same Type of Word)

It is good practice to write your bullets in the same style. In other words, use a similar-looking word for the first word in each bullet. Here is an example that could be improved:

It is picturesque region, but I would advise visitors to avoid:

Bathing in the river.

Driving in the town.

The local tapas bar.

This makes perfect sense, but it is not tidy. "Eating in the local tapas bar" would have been better. That way, the opening words would have been Bathing, Driving and Eating. They are all the same type of word. Therefore, the list would have been parallel.

When list items are written in the same style, they are said to be parallel. The list above is non-parallel. Ensuring your lists (not just bulleted lists but all lists) are parallel will test your English skills and slow you down, but they are easier to read. Creating parallel lists will portray you as a clear thinker. (It’s worth the investment.)