Having said that, however, as lauren says, its best to ask for the house rules first. The easiest way to solve a vexing punctuation problem is to. Bulleted lists that are not preceded by a colon should form a sentence in their own right. Vertical lists, bullets the chicago manual of style online. In other words, your bullets should look like my bullets in. Whats the recommended format for dot point series also called bullet lists and bulleted lists.
Deciding on the right style for bullet pointshow to punctuate and capitalize. Punctuation with bullet points if the text of your bullet point is a complete sentence or multiple sentences, use capital letters and punctuation. Semicolons are usually used to provide a natural pause in a sentence and are therefore not appropriate to introduce a bullet or other list. Can you imagine a novel or other sustained narrative featuring bulleted lists.
If you write a list using full sentences, what should each bullet point begin with. And you can download a reminder of our suggested style here. How should we punctuate and capitalize the items in vertical lists. If you are beginning one bullet point with a capitalized word, then all of the bullet points should begin that way. When youve finished an email, all you need is a friendly, professional sign off. Use bullets when the order of the items doesnt matter. But once you have your bullet list, how should you punctuate it. If you arent sure how to properly punctuate a sentence. If the bulleted text is a full sentence, capitalize the first letter of the first word and end the paragraph with a period see lists, part 5. It should occur any time phrases complete the stem sentence. Bullet points are punctuation marks used to indicate a list of items.
There have been different ways to encode bullet points in computer systems. Bullet lists are a powerful way to display a list of ideas or items. If the bullets all start with a capital letter and some of the items are more than a few words, all items should have the period at the end. If the list contains some sentence fragments and some complete sentences, the presence of the complete sentences means that all bullet items should end with a period or other terminal punctuation. When using a colon to introduce a list in this way, capitalization and ending punctuation arent always necessary. But if you take the absence of rules as permission to be creative, it can instead be liberating. Content and extracts are linked to the twinkl originals story \\the dual world of anders arnfield\\. Despite their utility, writers often ignore or misunderstand proper punctuation of bullet lists. Written by editor and writer frances peck, these pieces take a thorough yet entertaining look at some of the most common errors, weaknesses and uncertainties that plague writers of english.
A mark of punctuation commonly used in business writing and technical writing to introduce items in a list or series is known as a bullet point. If your points are not structured as proper sentences, you dont need to end with punctuation. The managing director made three comments about using information technology. Set out addresses without punctuation at the end of a line and dont use. If the text following the bullet point is a complete sentence, it should begin with a capital letter. Bulleted items are not usually terminated with a full stop unless they are complete sentences. Challenge children to convert sentences into bullet points or vice versa using correct, consistent punctuation. The colon is a punctuation mark, visually consisting of two equally sized dots centered. If bullet points are for separate items or sentences use the rules detailed below. Be consistent throughout the document with the formatting at the start and end of each bullet i. Authors often have their own preferred style of punctuation. Bullet points are not a natural product of language, such as pronounantecedent agreement. No need for any kind of punctuation for bulleted or numbered lists. For example, this grammatically correct sentence works fineto survive the zombie apocalypse, you should stay calm, find allies, and keep movingbut its more memorable when its presented as a list.
If each item on the list is a complete sentence, you should always capitalize the first letter and finish with a period or question mark or exclamation point, if. Punctuation shows how the sentence should be read and makes the meaning clear. We insert bullet points into a text to make it more easy for the reader to understand. Aug, 2011 what punctuation mark to put at the end of each each bullet point. What they probably didnt tell you is how those unordered and numbered bullets may backfire if you dont pay attention. If the bullet points come in the middle of a sentence, and it is still clear when you read that sentence even though its got bullets in the middle, you can start each bullet point with a lower case letter. When using bullets, be consistent throughout the document with the formatting e. If the stem sentence and the list items are all complete sentences, we punctuate with an initial capital and a full stop. It is the indispensable reference for writers, editors, proofreaders, indexers, copywriters, designers, and publishers, informing the editorial canon with sound, definitive advice. There is one big exception on punctuating bullet points with periods. Ks2 fantasy story bullet points and lists worksheet. What is the correct way to punctuate a set of bullet. Use no punctuation after bullets that are not sentences and do not complete the stem.
Capitalization and punctuation are optional when using single words or phrases in bulleted form. In that situation, dont capitalize the first word in the bullet item. The writers in the audience had questions about the correct way to structure bulleted lists these are also called dot point series and bullet lists. The irony is that the examples within this book appear to contradict each other. Choose whatever format you like, but be consistent throughout your document. Alternatively, use full punctuation for single sentences. This is an important editing and proofreading issue that comes up in many forms of business writing.
What is the correct way to punctuate a set of bullet points. When using bullet points, be consistent with the formatting and try to start each bullet with the same type of word i. We gave our better business writing presentation at a nonprofit organisation last week. Theres certainly no rule or convention, so it is only what helps the reader to make the best sense of the information. There is actually at least one book on proper grammar and punctuation for creating bullet lists. Introducing bullet points with a colon grammar monster. They can make it easy for your reader to quickly take in important information or instructions. Do not use this punctuation in bullet points if it appears to be an inventory list.
Heres how to craft powerful bullet points your readers will pay attention to. Is it necessary to put punctuation at the end of a bullet. Also capitalize the first word of a bullet if the item is a complete sentence. Commas and semicolons are used to separate things to avoid confusion. If the individual bullet points are sentence fragments, dont use a full stop, comma. Ideal practice for the ks2 punctuation and grammar test questions. This isnt wrong just another style and there are many other styles. Check the guidelines if you work somewhere that has style guidelines on how to punctuate bullet points, do follow those. This is an important editing and proofreading issue that. Itemsknown as bullet pointsmay be short phrases, single sentences, or of paragraph length. In multiauthor documents, inconsistencies in bullet punctuation are a constant concern. If the bullet points are longer, or have multiple sentences, then i use punctuation.
When listing items one by one, one per line, following a colon, capitalization and ending punctuation are optional when using single words or phrases preceded by letters, numbers, or bullet points. If the bullet text is a complete sentence, it should begin with a capital letter. Her more than 50 books include english grammar for dummies and many childrens books. If the bullet is a word or a phrase, dont put any punctuation at the end except the last bullet will take a period. From who and whom to hyphens, from commas to plain language, from. Bernard c lamb in his book the queens english writes some people use no punctuation at the end of each item, or a full stop after the last item only, or semicolons after each item, or full stops after each item. Use a period full stop after every bullet point that is a sentence as these bullets do. If each bullet or numbered point is a complete sentence, capitalize the first word and end each sentence with proper ending punctuation. Bullet points grammar and punctuation libroediting. This means that the grammar within the bullet points should be consistent, so the reader doesnt end up scratching their head and going over and over the same bit of text, trying to work it out. Download grammarlys app to help with eliminating grammar errors and finding the right words.
Geraldine woods has taught every level of english from 5th grade through ap. For example, this grammatically correct sentence works fine. Use this worksheet as a warmup or reminder on using bullet points and lists. What is the proper way to punctuate or structure a. Nov 21, 2012 its word tips time and today im going to talk about bullet points why we use them and how to use and format them. Punctuation is the system of signs or symbols given to a reader to show how a sentence is constructed and how it should be read. If youre following the it should be correct without the bullet points rule, you should not use upper case. Writers and editors searching for consistent, standardized advice about how to capitalize and punctuate bullet points will be sorely disappointed. The chicago manual of style online is the venerable, timetested guide to style, usage, and grammar in an accessible online format. Once youve decided on a list, you have to make a few formatting choices.
Likewise, if each bullet is more than just one sentence, then i would follow full punctuation rules, since its quite clear that im using bullet points for a very complicated list of items. If the text of your bullet point is a complete sentence or multiple sentences, use capital letters and punctuation. All lists must conform to a set of rules of construction and formatting. Associated press style is to use dashes, not bullets, for lists that follow a colon. Punctuating bulleted lists bulleted lists are a great way of breaking down complicated information. Although logically a list should have more than one item, bullets are more forgiving. Pecks english pointers is a collection of lively articles spanning english grammar, punctuation, usage and clarity. Though these examples implicate punctuation marks the use or omission of periods, hyphens, or apostrophes, the correct form can be easily determined with a good dictionary. Jan 19, 2016 writers and editors searching for consistent, standardized advice about how to capitalize and punctuate bullet points will be sorely disappointed.
Punctuation which would generally end a sentence like the question mark. A list in which each point is a complete sentence the managing director made three comments about using information technology. Bullet points are used to draw attention to important information within a document so that a reader can identify the key issues and facts quickly. A grammar lesson on using a colon to introduce a vertical list, covering where to use an independent clause before a colon.
Bullet points how and when to use them libroediting. Using punctuation in presentations colons, semicolons and bullet points radzi and a group of children visit a law firm to learn about using punctuation in presentations, finding out about. Jun 20, 20 i admit that there is some useful guidance about lists not related to punctuation e. The department prefers bullets, but punctuate them per ap style. Sentences are the building blocks used to construct written accounts. The text introducing the list of bullet points should end with a colon. If each point is a complete sentence, capitalize the first word and end the sentence with appropriate ending punctuation. But, in general avoid the period if the list contains one word or a short phrases.
Whether using bullets or numbers, vertical lists can be tricky. Generally the only punctuation marks used in a bullet point are the comma, semicolon, ellipsis, emdash, and hyphen. In some cases, however, the style guide for a given publication may call for every item except the last one in each bulleted list to be terminated with. How to write bullet points and punctuate a bulleted list. If the text that follows the bullet point is not a proper sentence, it doesnt need to begin with a capital letter and it shouldnt end with a full stop. After each bullet, capitalize the first letter and use periods at the end of each item.
Colon capitalize the first word after a colon only if it is a proper noun or. Oct 01, 2015 we all know that vertical lists are a great way to display information in print and online. Bullet points are usually used to highlight list elements. For example, one author might prefer list items to end in semicolons, while another prefers full stops.
Based on the number of hits i receive on another of my websites, many webmasters are looking for help with grammar and punctuation for bullet lists. I used to be a desktop publisher and i put together a lot of powerpoint presentations. Monash editorial guide punctuation monash university. If the bullet is a sentence, put a period at the end. For example, i used bullets in the last example because you have to. Content and extracts are linked to the twinkl originals story \the dual world of anders arnfield\. Colon capitalize the first word after a colon only if it is a proper noun or the start of a complete sentence. How to punctuate bulleted and numbered lists perfectit. If my bullet points are short with one word or phrase per bullet point like a list, then i never put any punctuation on them. Each bullet should start with a capital letter and end with a full stop. Next week, im going to treat you to some tips about how the language and punctuation of bullet pointed text works. As a general rule, when creating lists, use bullet points to identify items of equal importance. The fact that there are few rules for when to create bullet points, and no rules for how to style them, can be frustrating witness my colleagues death by bullets pronouncement.
Pa and secretary community general discussion admins 4 admins correct punctuation with bullet points. How to format a bulleted list and more grammar girl. Do not put and at the end of the penultimate bullet. Bullets associated press style is to use dashes, not bullets, for lists that follow a colon. If the points are not proper sentences, you do not have to begin with a. If the items in a list arent complete sentences, you may capitalize them or use lowercase your choice.
Note 105 punctuation with bullet points and lists my. Jun 15, 2018 a mark of punctuation commonly used in business writing and technical writing to introduce items in a list or series is known as a bullet point. Remember that each of the items in the list must complete a meaningful, grammatically correct statement when read with that leadin. I also worked for a recruitment firm and we had to reconfigure lots of resumes to fit our format. Thats a good question, and is something ive wondered about for years having written thousands of bulleted lists in that time. Do not capitalize the first item after the colon unless its a proper noun.
We simply prefer the clean look of minimalist punctuation. Creating grammatically correct bulleted lists dummies. The easiest way to solve a vexing punctuation problem is to avoid it. Its challenging enough for each author to apply their own rules consistently. Bullet points can be a very useful addition to your documents. Make sure your bullet points align logically with the introduction. Get a detailed, 100page curriculum for a collegelevel or vocational course, business writing that builds relationships. The capitalization and punctuation for each bulleted item depends on the structure of the sentence. 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. Getting to the point with bullets punctuation and mechanics. Use a period after every bullet point that completes the introductory stem.
Capitalization and punctuation by judy vorfeld did you know that before the introduction of word processing via word processors and computers, most publications displayed lists in either outline form or numbered lists. Punctuation can make an enormous difference in the meaning of whatever it is youre writing. Orange became the term for a fruit in the th century get more facts. Bullet points are not a natural product of language, such as. So, lets correct that and talk about how to use bullet points for marketing your products and services on your website. Apa style incorporated information on bullet lists only within the past couple of years. Sep 27, 2018 bullet points are items in a list, where each item, or point, is preceded by a typographical symbol called a bullet. Formatting with bullets points when using bullets, be consistent throughout the document with the formatting e. Consider the following classic examples of the change in meaning that punctuation can communicate. Your bullets can be considered more like decorations than hierarchy.
Writers often have questions about the correct way to structure bulleted lists also called dot point series and bullet lists. A while back, the folks at write in new zealand talked about punctuating bullet lists. The post caught my attention because their practice is refreshingly straightforward. Sep 16, 2009 a semicolon at the end of each bullet point. If the bullet points are very short and dont form a sentence, like this. Jul 20, 2009 whats the recommended format for dot point series also called bullet lists and bulleted lists. Learning to use the paragraph formatting tool in word see figure 3. Instead, they are a feature of the documents formatting, akin to chapter titles, running headers, and.
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