Bulleted lists are common in business writing. They’re easy to craft, they allow the writer to simplify complex information and readers generally like them. It might seem like bulleted lists are so easy that it doesn’t matter how they’re written. Alas, it does. Are your bulleted lists written for maximum clarity and flow?
Two things are often missing from bulleted lists: parallelism and consistency. Both are important, and if your bulleted lists lack these, then they aren’t communicating your ideas as smoothly and effectively as your readers would like.
When crafting a bulleted list, all of your bullet points should be parallel — the construction should be the same in every bullet point. You can start each point with a verb, adverb, noun or adjective. You can also write points as complete sentences. The important thing to remember is that all bullet points in a single list should be structured the same. Mixing and matching is not allowed in parallel structure.
The following list of flashlight product features is not parallel:
• Switch allows easy on/off operation
• Bright LED light
• Requires four AA batteries
• Easy bulb replacement
• Includes a two-year warranty
Here’s one option for making the points parallel:
• Operates with easy-to-use on/off switch
• Shines a bright LED light
• Requires four AA batteries
• Enables easy bulb replacement
• Includes a two-year warranty
In the unparallel list, each point starts differently — some with adjectives, some with nouns and some with verbs. In the parallel list, each point starts with a verb in the present tense. You could also give the list parallel structure by writing each point as a complete sentence. I find that starting points with a present-tense verb or writing them as complete sentences works in almost every situation.
Once you’ve written your points in parallel structure, the next decision is how — or whether — to add punctuation at the end of each point.
Ending bullet points with a comma or semicolon is incorrect, as is ending all with a comma or semicolon and the last with a period. Sure, if the list was written in paragraph form, this would be correct, but it’s written as bullet points, and that punctuation is unnecessary and awkward in bullet points.
As for whether to end each point with a period, that’s often a matter of your company’s house style. If your company doesn’t have a house style for bulleted lists, then type a period at the end of points written as complete sentences, and use no final punctuation at the end of points written as sentence fragments. If your points are parallel, then you won’t have a mix of complete sentences and fragments in a single list, so your punctuation will be consistent at the end of every point.
Incorrect
• Operates with easy-to-use on/off switch;
• Shines a bright LED light;
• Requires four AA batteries;
• Enables easy bulb replacement;
• Includes a two-year warranty.
Correct (points as complete sentences)
• A large on/off switch allows easy operation.
• The bright LED light illuminates a clear path.
• Four AA batteries are required for operation.
• Bulb replacement is easy.
• A two-year warranty is included.
Correct (points as sentence fragments)
• Operates with easy-to-use on/off switch
• Shines a bright LED light
• Requires four AA batteries
• Enables easy bulb replacement
• Includes a two-year warranty
Remember these tips when writing bulleted lists, and you’ll bring clarity and a smooth flow to your business writing.
Add your comment