bullet format essay example

How To Make a Bullet List For APA Or MLA Formatting

Whether you are writing a formal article, blogging, completing an academic essay or thesis, bullet lists are an important tool to add some flare to your work. There are, however, some important rules to follow when using lists in your work. We’ve created this helpful guide which complies with APA and MLA formatting standards. If you follow these helpful hints for structuring your lists with examples below from our professional writers at PapersOwl you will be sure to get a high grade.

First, identify when a list is necessary. Lists are useful when you have a lot of details to convey to the reader in a quick and easy manner without bogging the reader down through wordy passages. Lists can be used to give detailed instructions to a process, requirements to complete a certain task, or helpful references to inform of a schedule or event.

When using lists be sure to also follow a set of formatting standards that are accepted and you’ll build confidence in your audience and if you are writing an academic paper you will be sure to receive a high grade on your paper. Our advice – you can use online  APA format generator to avoid mistakes in the reference list in your paper.

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How To List Things In Academic Papers Correctly

Here are some important factors to consider when using lists:

• If your list items are complete sentences, be sure to use proper capitalization and punctuation as if the list item were a stand-alone sentence.
• When using fragmented sentences, do not include any ending punctuation.
• When using semicolons  to separate list items, the last item on the list should contain a period.
• Be sure your list items have a consistent format and style i.e. when using full sentences ensure all list items are full sentences.
• Ensure all your list items are related to the same topic.

If you follow these hints from our custom writing service  your paperwork will look more professional and be more interesting to read. It is also a good idea to give a concluding sentence or two following the list to state its importance or usefulness.

Another interesting format for creating a list is when the list items are closely related, for example, instructions on a specific process are to form the list as one complete sentence. For example, here is a summary of the instructions to write a standard 5 paragraph essay .

• Write a strong thesis statement,
• compose the body of your essay,
• complete the introduction, and
• finally, draft your conclusion.

With this format, use commas after each list item and on the next-to-last list, item use the word and close the list with a period at the end of the final item.

Bullet List with Semicolons In APA Or MLA Papers

Here is an example of a formal list using semi-colons:

• Lists can be used in many papers from a simple essay to a Ph.D. dissertation ;
• Use lists to make your work more interesting;
• Be sure not to overuse lists.

Doing assignments online can be a great way to save time and energy. Not only are you able to access a wide range of resources and materials, but you can also find assistance from professionals who can help you complete your work quickly and accurately. The example lists above are compliant with many academic writing standards, such as APA or MLA formatting . Effective writing can be a difficult task and lists are a great way to deliver information to your readers in a clear, concise, and easy to read manner. If, however, you do not have the time or are having trouble drafting your composition there is help. You can hire one of our professional APA essay writers  or MLA writers at PapersOwl, and we will do the hard work for you! We will deliver your research paper on time and guarantee that you will get a high grade. Additionally, they offer a variety of services, including writing assignments, editing, proofreading, and formatting. So, if you are looking for an easy and efficient way to pay to get assignments done , PapersOwl is the perfect solution.

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• How to write an essay outline | Guidelines & examples

How to Write an Essay Outline | Guidelines & Examples

Published on August 14, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An essay outline is a way of planning the structure of your essay before you start writing. It involves writing quick summary sentences or phrases for every point you will cover in each paragraph , giving you a picture of how your argument will unfold.

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Table of contents

Organizing your material, presentation of the outline, examples of essay outlines, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about essay outlines.

At the stage where you’re writing an essay outline, your ideas are probably still not fully formed. You should know your topic  and have already done some preliminary research to find relevant sources , but now you need to shape your ideas into a structured argument.

Creating categories

Look over any information, quotes and ideas you’ve noted down from your research and consider the central point you want to make in the essay—this will be the basis of your thesis statement . Once you have an idea of your overall argument, you can begin to organize your material in a way that serves that argument.

Try to arrange your material into categories related to different aspects of your argument. If you’re writing about a literary text, you might group your ideas into themes; in a history essay, it might be several key trends or turning points from the period you’re discussing.

Three main themes or subjects is a common structure for essays. Depending on the length of the essay, you could split the themes into three body paragraphs, or three longer sections with several paragraphs covering each theme.

As you create the outline, look critically at your categories and points: Are any of them irrelevant or redundant? Make sure every topic you cover is clearly related to your thesis statement.

Order of information

When you have your material organized into several categories, consider what order they should appear in.

Your essay will always begin and end with an introduction and conclusion , but the organization of the body is up to you.

Consider these questions to order your material:

• Is there an obvious starting point for your argument?
• Is there one subject that provides an easy transition into another?
• Do some points need to be set up by discussing other points first?

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Within each paragraph, you’ll discuss a single idea related to your overall topic or argument, using several points of evidence or analysis to do so.

In your outline, you present these points as a few short numbered sentences or phrases.They can be split into sub-points when more detail is needed.

The template below shows how you might structure an outline for a five-paragraph essay.

• Thesis statement
• First piece of evidence
• Second piece of evidence
• Summary/synthesis
• Importance of topic
• Strong closing statement

You can choose whether to write your outline in full sentences or short phrases. Be consistent in your choice; don’t randomly write some points as full sentences and others as short phrases.

Examples of outlines for different types of essays are presented below: an argumentative, expository, and literary analysis essay.

Argumentative essay outline

This outline is for a short argumentative essay evaluating the internet’s impact on education. It uses short phrases to summarize each point.

Its body is split into three paragraphs, each presenting arguments about a different aspect of the internet’s effects on education.

• Importance of the internet
• Concerns about internet use
• Thesis statement: Internet use a net positive
• Data exploring this effect
• Analysis indicating it is overstated
• Students’ reading levels over time
• Why this data is questionable
• Video media
• Interactive media
• Speed and simplicity of online research
• Questions about reliability (transitioning into next topic)
• Evidence indicating its ubiquity
• Claims that it discourages engagement with academic writing
• Evidence that Wikipedia warns students not to cite it
• Argument that it introduces students to citation
• Summary of key points
• Value of digital education for students
• Need for optimism to embrace advantages of the internet

Expository essay outline

This is the outline for an expository essay describing how the invention of the printing press affected life and politics in Europe.

The paragraphs are still summarized in short phrases here, but individual points are described with full sentences.

• Claim that the printing press marks the end of the Middle Ages.
• Provide background on the low levels of literacy before the printing press.
• Present the thesis statement: The invention of the printing press increased circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.
• Discuss the very high levels of illiteracy in medieval Europe.
• Describe how literacy and thus knowledge and education were mainly the domain of religious and political elites.
• Indicate how this discouraged political and religious change.
• Describe the invention of the printing press in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg.
• Show the implications of the new technology for book production.
• Describe the rapid spread of the technology and the printing of the Gutenberg Bible.
• Link to the Reformation.
• Discuss the trend for translating the Bible into vernacular languages during the years following the printing press’s invention.
• Describe Luther’s own translation of the Bible during the Reformation.
• Sketch out the large-scale effects the Reformation would have on religion and politics.
• Summarize the history described.
• Stress the significance of the printing press to the events of this period.

Literary analysis essay outline

The literary analysis essay outlined below discusses the role of theater in Jane Austen’s novel Mansfield Park .

The body of the essay is divided into three different themes, each of which is explored through examples from the book.

• Describe the theatricality of Austen’s works
• Outline the role theater plays in Mansfield Park
• Introduce the research question : How does Austen use theater to express the characters’ morality in Mansfield Park ?
• Discuss Austen’s depiction of the performance at the end of the first volume
• Discuss how Sir Bertram reacts to the acting scheme
• Introduce Austen’s use of stage direction–like details during dialogue
• Explore how these are deployed to show the characters’ self-absorption
• Discuss Austen’s description of Maria and Julia’s relationship as polite but affectionless
• Compare Mrs. Norris’s self-conceit as charitable despite her idleness
• Summarize the three themes: The acting scheme, stage directions, and the performance of morals
• Answer the research question
• Indicate areas for further study

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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You will sometimes be asked to hand in an essay outline before you start writing your essay . Your supervisor wants to see that you have a clear idea of your structure so that writing will go smoothly.

Even when you do not have to hand it in, writing an essay outline is an important part of the writing process . It’s a good idea to write one (as informally as you like) to clarify your structure for yourself whenever you are working on an essay.

If you have to hand in your essay outline , you may be given specific guidelines stating whether you have to use full sentences. If you’re not sure, ask your supervisor.

When writing an essay outline for yourself, the choice is yours. Some students find it helpful to write out their ideas in full sentences, while others prefer to summarize them in short phrases.

You should try to follow your outline as you write your essay . However, if your ideas change or it becomes clear that your structure could be better, it’s okay to depart from your essay outline . Just make sure you know why you’re doing so.

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Bullet Point Your Research Paper: A How-To Guide

As the demand for college and university-level research papers grows, so too does the need for effective strategies to help students break down their written work into manageable pieces. One approach that is gaining traction among instructors and tutors alike is bullet point organization of a research paper. This method allows students to present information more concisely while still conveying enough detail in order to effectively support any argument or position they are trying to make. In this article, we will provide an overview of what bullet pointing involves and how it can be used as part of successful paper composition. We will also provide tips on making sure points are chosen wisely when constructing your essay structure with bullets, along with some useful techniques for enhancing readability through proper formatting conventions such as font size and spacing guidelines. Finally, we’ll offer advice on troubleshooting common issues related to presenting one’s writing using this style so that you can confidently submit papers which have been organized clearly via bulleted lists – no matter what assignment or academic setting you find yourself in!

1. Introduction to Bullet Pointing Research Papers

2. benefits of bullet pointing in writing processes, 3. strategies for effective bulletin point creation, 4. examples of well-formatted and cohesive bulleted points, 5. pitfalls to avoid when structuring bullets in a paper, 6. tips for paragraph development after listing points, 7. conclusion: utilizing bullets as an organizational tool.

Unleashing the Power of Bullet Points in Research Papers

Bullet points have become indispensable tools for expressing ideas and structuring content. With their succinct format, they can quickly summarize key concepts or arguments within research papers. While some academics regard bullet pointing as an oversimplification of complex material, when used effectively, it’s a powerful way to organize information into bite-sized chunks that are easier to digest.

At its core, the purpose of bullet point research is to provide clarity and facilitate understanding among readers by breaking up long texts with shorter points. They also help guide readers through different sections so they don’t get lost in meandering explanations and convoluted syntaxes – something which could easily be avoided with judicious use of bullets! So yes – can research papers have bullet points? . Absolutely! Not only do they make your paper look more organized but also communicate your thoughts better than sentences alone ever could.

Organization and Presentation of Ideas Bullet pointing is an effective writing tool for organizing ideas, which can help writers present complex information in a digestible manner. The structure allows readers to quickly skim over the text while still grasping important points without getting lost in details. This makes bullet-pointed paragraphs ideal when summarizing facts or providing quick overviews.

Moreover, bullets allow writers to connect pieces of information that might not have been otherwise related into categories, making them easier for readers to remember and absorb. Not only does this make it simpler to track concepts within texts but also highlights the most salient aspects of any given topic allowing readers to concentrate on more significant elements instead of wasting time with trivial details.

In terms of academic papers, researchers are often advised against using lists unless absolutely necessary due to their informal nature; however, there are instances where including some form bullets may improve readability such as when presenting survey results or numerical data. When used judiciously they can be beneficial by creating visual breaks between sections helping organize large chunks of content into manageable bitesize segments – something particularly useful during long-form assignments like dissertations or research papers.

Prioritize Points

Creating effective bullet points begins with prioritizing the most essential information. All topics should be given due consideration and weighted against each other. What is more important to emphasize in a research paper? Picking out key talking points can help readers understand the material quickly and easily, without overwhelming them with too much detail.

Organization is critical for creating memorable bullets that make an impression on viewers. Clarity must come first before aesthetic considerations are made about font type or size, as well as images or multimedia elements placed alongside them. It’s also worth considering if all parts of a topic will need bullet points or if some ideas can be explained further through text-based explanation; either way it’s important not to clutter up the page with too many bullets at once.

Balance Detail & Brevity

• Research papers often contain dry facts and technical language – but do these really have to appear in their plainest form within bullet lists?
• It helps to think of each point as having its own personality which comes from being able to capture complex ideas into concise words.

By using creative phrasing while still preserving meaning, content creators can craft captivating yet informative writing – especially when done right this provides an engaging entrypoint into understanding any subject matter no matter how complicated it may seem initially.

Bulleted points are a great way to add organization and structure to any type of document. They can be used in research papers, newsletters, brochures, webpages and other documents as they provide readers with an easy-to-read format that breaks down complex information into smaller chunks. When using bulleted points it is important to ensure that the content within each point is cohesive and well formatted for maximum impact.

Using Cohesive Points: To create effective bullet points it’s important that all of the items listed have some sort of common thread running through them so the reader doesn’t feel confused or overwhelmed by having too much unconnected material presented at once. For example if you were writing about different types of chocolate chip cookies then each point should contain relevant details like ingredients used, baking time required etc., rather than unrelated facts such as calorie counts or serving suggestions which could confuse readers who weren’t expecting these sorts of details included in your list.

• Chocolate Chip Cookies – 1/2 cup butter; 2/3 cup sugar; 1 egg…

Formatting Your Content: Additionally when creating bullet points make sure everything looks neat by formatting correctly including capitalizing words where appropriate, adding punctuation marks after each item on the list and not making individual entries run over multiple lines – unless absolutely necessary due to word count restrictions.

For instance instead of saying “chocolate chip cookie recipe contains Butter Sugar Egg Vanilla Extract Flour Baking Soda Salt” you’d want to write out something like this.

• “Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe – Contains : Butter , Sugar , Egg , Vanilla Extract , Flour , Baking Soda & Salt .”

. This makes your work appear more professional while also helping break up difficult concepts into easier pieces for better understanding!

In conclusion yes research papers can include bulleted lists but bear in mind both cohesion among points as well as proper formatting rules must be adhered too for best results.

When structuring bullets within an academic paper, there are certain pitfalls that should be avoided for the most effective communication of ideas and research outcomes. The following tips will help you keep your writing clear and concise while also avoiding common errors.

The first mistake to avoid is using too many bullet points – this can quickly make the text seem cluttered or disorganized. It’s important to use bullet points judiciously; often, two or three well-structured sentences may convey more information than a lengthy list of bullets would. Additionally, it’s worth noting that while some instructors allow them in their papers, not all do – so it pays to check with yours before including any! Lastly, avoid treating each bullet as if its own individual paragraph – instead think of them as subheadings which organize long blocks of copy into manageable sections.

• For example:

Bullets can add structure when discussing complex topics by breaking down long texts into shorter parts – but they shouldn’t be overused and should always fit logically into the overall narrative arc being created by your paper. Can Research Papers Have Bullet Points? Yes – provided that they follow specific formatting guidelines such as keeping bullets relatively brief (three lines maximum)and only using relevant information pertaining directly to your topic at hand. If used correctly, then yes–research papers can certainly benefit from organized lists!

Developing the Paragraphs: Once the points are listed, it’s important to build on them and develop each idea within a paragraph. This is done by linking the information from one point with that of another in order to create sentences which flow naturally together. The transition words used should be relevant and help keep readers engaged in reading further. Additionally, providing supportive details for every argument presented is essential; this can include quotes from reliable sources or statistics related to an issue discussed in the paper.

Another helpful strategy when developing paragraphs after listing points is using bullet points if they fit better than plain text – some research papers may benefit from having clearly outlined ideas more so than lengthy descriptive passages. Be sure to use consistent font sizes for any bullets as well as indentation spacing between them – these will make key concepts easier for readers to comprehend quickly without disrupting their overall understanding of your paper’s main arguments.

Bullet Points: Streamlining Content for Improved Comprehension

The utilization of bullet points is an effective tool when it comes to presenting data and information in a more organized manner. It helps keep track of the various topics being discussed, as well as guiding readers through essential facts and conclusions easily. Bullets are especially useful in research papers where there is often too much detail included that could otherwise be overwhelming for readers to digest all at once. In addition, they allow researchers to present their findings succinctly without having to sacrifice clarity or context.

By utilizing bullets, authors can make sure their paper stands out from others by providing a clear structure and concise style that makes the content easier on the eyes while still retaining its value. Furthermore, this organization technique enables them to organize sections into subsections more effectively – something which may not always be possible with paragraphs alone since many times these tend towards lengthy digressions rather than straightforward statements of fact.

Can research papers have bullet points? Absolutely! Bullet points should never replace full sentences nor do away with important explanations or arguments but they can certainly supplement written text by helping convey complex ideas quickly and efficiently – something particularly valuable when dealing with long academic essays like those typically found in peer-reviewed publications!

English: This guide to bullet point research paper writing has provided an in-depth examination of the structure and organization that can make this process easier. By following these steps, writers will be able to produce concise yet effective papers with a well-crafted flow and thoughtful presentation of information. Furthermore, they may even find themselves inspired by the creative ways in which bullet points allow them to present their ideas. For those seeking further assistance with formatting or general academic writing skills, additional resources are available for consultation.

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Now that you’ve narrowed down your topic, done your research, and created your thesis, it’s time to start writing, right? Instead of jumping right in…pause for a few moments before beginning to amass your information into a first draft. Return to your statement(s) of purpose. Have any of the elements (voice, audience, message, tone, attitude, reception) changed as a result of your research? If so, write up an intermediate statement of purpose, and use it as a guide as you draft and as the basis for a writer’s memo you may be asked to submit with your draft.

Once you think you have an ample supply of materials, read through your subtopic files and consider the order of the different pieces. Consider the points you want to make in relation to the information you have found and begin typing comments between your notes to assure you have a solid plan in place when you start to make your outline.

Create an outline that begins with your thesis (or message). Include the subtopics as key elements. Under each subtopic, list your supporting points you have researched as well as the ideas you plan to add.

Writing an Outline

Creating an outline might seem like an unnecessary step. However, outlines ensure that your argument is well-organized and stays on topic. In addition, a well-thought out outline can save hours of writing time. After all, it’s much easier to re-organize an outline than to re-write an entire essay!

An outline can be either informal or formal. An informal outline outlines the parts of a paper without a specific structure. An author might use bullet points, letters, numbers, or any combination of these things. On the other hand, a formal outline has a very specific structure. Main points are listed using Roman numerals (I, II, III, etc). Secondary points use capital letters (A, B, C, etc). The third level of points uses Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc), and the final level uses lowercase letters (a, b, c, etc).

Below is an example of both an informal and a formal outline side by side. In an actual essay outline, each item would include specific details about the essay instead of general headings. Instead of Point 1, for example, the outline would state the actual point.

Image created by Dr. Karen Palmer and licensed under  CC BY NC SA .

When you are finished, evaluate your outline by asking questions such as the following:

• Do I want to tweak my planned thesis based on the information I have found?
• Do all of my planned subtopics still seem reasonable?
• Did I find an unexpected subtopic that I want to add?
• In what order do I want to present my subtopics?
• Are my supporting points in the best possible order?
• Do I have enough support for each of my main subtopics? Will the support I have convince readers of my points?
• Do I have ample materials for the required length of the paper? If not, what angle do I want to enhance?
• Have I gathered too much information for a paper of this length? And if so, what should I get rid of?
• Did I include information in my notes that really doesn’t belong and needs to be eliminated? (If so, cut it out and place it in a discard file rather than deleting it. That way, it is still available if you change your mind once you start drafting.)
• Are my planned quotations still good choices?

Sentence Outlines

You may be asked by your instructor to create a sentence outline, which takes a regular outline to another step. In this type of outline, each and every single line should be a complete sentence. Instead of using a short phrase or word, you should have full sentences.

Key points about a sentence outline:

• An outline is a way of organizing key ideas
• An outline helps to set up an essay or a research paper
• An outline is a tool to help revise an essay or research paper.
• An outline can be a study tool to help you summarize key ideas in reading
• A formal outline shows, in logical order, what you will be writing about.
• A formal outline helps you separate main ideas and supporting ideas
• A formal outline gives you a foundation from which to build an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
• A formal outline often changes after you write your first draft. It will show you where you need to add more research or make other changes.
• Each line of your outline should be a complete sentence.
• The more detailed your outline, the easier it will be to write your essay.

Example Sentence Outline:

Southern Local-Color in “Désirée’s Baby” and “A Rose for Emily”

I. Intro for The Application of a Literary Critical Model to a Short Story

A. Local-color is a form of regionalism which exploits the speech, dress, mannerism, and habits of a specific region.

B. Southern local-color portrays life of the Old South.

• “Southern writers were nostalgic for a sense of place distinctly and exclusively Southern” (Lecture 5).
• “Southern Renaissance writers can also be said to transcend its specific regional settings and address universal themes of human suffering, isolation, prejudice, alienation, connection, and intimacy” (Lecture 5).

C. Kate Chopin wrote “Désirée’s Baby” and William Faulkner wrote “A Rose for Emily.”

• Both stories focus on the role of women in Southern culture and the relationship between men and women.
• The main female protagonist in each story is Désirée and Emily.

H. Thesis: Due to their old Southern culture, both Désirée and Emily experience gender inequality, their stories utilize Southern dialect and garments, and they are examples of what happens to women and other minorities when they are not given social freedom.

II. Désirée and Emily experience gender inequality due to their Southern culture.

A. “Désirée’s Baby” takes place in Louisiana before the American Civil War.

• The culture was created around the existence of slaves.
• Their plantations and economy relied on this racial caste system.
• The expectations of females limited their roles in this society.

B. Armand falls instantly in love with the young and beautiful Désirée when he sees her standing outside her wealthy plantation.

C. Désirée’s past is unknown, she was found as a baby and raised by the loving plantation owner.

• Armand purchases her fine clothes and gifts from Paris and soon the two are married, he now sees her as his property, he bought her with his wealth.

B. Armand is racist and often cruel to his slaves and treats them as property.

• When their baby is born showing African American genetic traits, Désirée is accused of being partially black and shunned by her husband.
• Désirée is so heartbroken, that she takes herself and her baby to the bayou to die.

C. After their deaths, Armand burns her fancy possessions and he finds a letter from his deceased mother who confesses that she carries the African American genetic traits.

• This confirms that Armand is the one who is partially black, not Désirée.

Choose the best choice for each question:

1. Once you are finished taking notes, you should

• start writing immediately.
• read through your notes and put them in an order that will work.
• make sure, when you write, to use all the information you have found.

2. Your outline should begin with

• your thesis (or message).
• your best quotation.
• your most interesting subtopic.

3. If you have notes that are relevant, but do not fit within the planned subtopics

• delete those notes.
• you know that you did unneeded research.
• consider adding a subtopic.

4. Once you begin to make your outline, you should

• tweak your thesis based on information you have learned.
• eliminate all information that does not directly support your thesis.
• use only your original ideas.

Attributions

• “ Managing Information ” licensed under CC BY NC SA .
• “ Outlining ” written by Dr. Karen Palmer and licensed under CC BY NC SA .
• “Sentence Outline,” created by Dr. Sandi Van Lieu and licensed under CC BY NC SA 3.0 .

The RoughWriter's Guide Copyright © 2020 by Dr. Karen Palmer and Dr. Sandi Van Lieu is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Creating Vertical Lists in MLA Style

Note: This post relates to content in the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook . For up-to-date guidance, see the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook .

Although in humanities essays,  lists are generally run into the text , in other types of material, a vertical list may be preferable. Vertical lists call attention to the items listed, so such lists are often desirable in pedagogical and promotional contexts. The MLA’s guidelines for styling vertical lists are derived from  The Chicago Manual of Style (6.127–132). Below are examples of vertical lists—which may be unnumbered, numbered, or bulleted—and how to introduce, punctuate, and capitalize them.

Lists Introduced with a Complete Sentence 

A list may be introduced with a complete sentence followed by a colon, as in the examples below. The items in the list can be composed of complete sentences or fragments but should be consistent in using one or the other method.

List Items with Complete Sentences

If the list items are complete sentences, as in the examples below, the first letter of the first word of each item should be capitalized, and the item should be followed by closing punctuation, such as a period or question mark.

Finally, I posed the following overarching questions for students to consider throughout the semester: How can a man embody modern, bourgeois norms of masculinity in a country still strongly tied to the ancien régime? How do aristocratic and bourgeois models of manhood interact with one another in the Spanish realist novel? How are working-class men depicted in Spanish realism?  How can we apply Cartagena Calderón’s definition of the crisis of masculinity to the late-nineteenth-century Spanish context? 

List Items with Fragments

If the list items are not complete sentences and the list is numbered, capitalize the start of each item:

These raw materials can be grouped in four main areas: Early modern Christian beliefs inherited from the medieval period, indeed the very period that Shakespeare is writing about in the history plays The structure of feudal and and semifeudal society Emergent humanist ideas about history and politics imported from Renaissance Italy, especially those of Niccolò Machiavelli The key events of the Wars of the Roses and the corresponding key plot points of Shakespeare’s two tetralogies 

If the list is unnumbered or bulleted, generally lowercase the start of each item: 

These raw materials can be grouped in four main areas: early modern Christian beliefs inherited from the medieval period, indeed the very period that Shakespeare is writing about in the history plays the structure of feudal and and semifeudal society emergent humanist ideas about history and politics imported from Renaissance Italy, especially those of Niccolò Machiavelli the key events of the Wars of the Roses and the corresponding key plot points of Shakespeare’s two tetralogies

In some contexts, though, you may capitalize the first letter of the first word of each item if you wish to call attention to the items.

Lists That Continue the Sentence Introducing Them

A list may also start with a sentence continued in the list. No colon should appear before such lists.

If the list items are not complete sentences, you can often begin each item with a lowercase letter and use no punctuation after the item.

The MLA Style Center  is a free companion to the  MLA Handbook . The only official website devoted to MLA style, it provides  the opportunity to submit your own questions insights about MLA style from the MLA’s editors sample research papers instructions on formatting research papers teaching resources tools for creating works-cited-list entries

List Items Punctuated like a Sentence

In formal contexts, you may use semicolons between the list items and “and” before the final item: 

The MLA is expanding its advocacy efforts by

• sharing urgent information with members;
• developing strategic partnerships; and
• aggregating advocacy news, calls to action, and other resources on the MLA Action Network .

Sample lists taken or adapted from  the MLA website and the following publications:  Zachary Erwin’s “Teaching Masculinity in Pardo Bazán’s Novels” ( Approaches to Teaching the Writings of Emilia Pardo Bazán ,  edited by Margot Versteeg and Susan Walter, Modern Language Association of America, 2017, pp. 58–63) and Neema Parvini’s “Historicism ‘By Stealth’: History, Politics, and Power in  Richard II and  Henry IV” ( Approaches to  Teaching Shakespeare’s English History Plays , edited by Laurie Ellinghausen, Modern Language Association of America, 2017, pp. 94–99).

The Chicago Manual of Style.  17th ed., U of Chicago P, 2017, www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/book/ed17/part2/ch06/psec127.html.

13 Comments

Pam 27 january 2020 at 04:01 pm.

Please advise as to whether semicolons should be used in a vertical list of names or only in a linear list of names. Thank you.

Your e-mail address will not be published

Jennifer A. Rappaport 28 January 2020 AT 07:01 AM

Thanks for your question. No punctuation is required in a vertical list of names.

C Haulenbeek 29 January 2020 AT 09:01 PM

In a bulleted list, are the entries single spaced or double spaced?

Jennifer A. Rappaport 30 January 2020 AT 07:01 AM

Thanks for your question. If your paper is double-spaced, you can double-space the list.

Mohamed Iliyas 05 October 2020 AT 05:10 AM

Should the list item numbers in vertical list be with period (1. list item) ? or it can be like '1) list item'. Thanks in advance.

Jennifer A. Rappaport 05 October 2020 AT 07:10 AM

Thanks for your question. The numbers in a numbered vertical list should be followed by a period, as shown in the example above.

John 30 October 2020 AT 12:10 PM

Is there a space between the heading and subpoints?

Jennifer A. Rappaport 02 November 2020 AT 07:11 AM

Yes, for readability, include a line space above and below a heading. See our post on headings: https://style.mla.org/styling-headings-and-subheadings/.

johanna 22 April 2021 AT 10:04 AM

I'm listing single words in a vertical list (with bullet points) which don't add up to form a full sentence. Should I capitalize the innitial letters? Should I use commas in my list?

e.g.: Complications include: - kidney failure - arrhythmia - re-operation - ...

Thanks in advance!

C. Barney Latimer 26 April 2021 AT 05:04 PM

As noted in the post, the items in a bulleted list of fragments generally start with lowercase letters, and no punctuation is needed after each item.

Aspen Anderson 04 June 2021 AT 05:06 PM

This info was incredibly helpful, thank you! How do you format it if each bullet has an intro concept/sentence, i.e. "1. Drink more water: When you drink water throughout the day..."

C. Barney Latimer 11 June 2021 AT 01:06 PM

If it’s important to begin an item in a vertical list with an introductory phrase or sentence, feel free to apply distinctive formatting (e.g., bold or italics) to the introductory wording, which should then be followed with a period. The example you’ve provided might therefore be formatted as follows: "1. Drink more water . When you drink water throughout the day..."

Virginia Kirk 16 May 2022 AT 05:05 PM

In your last example, "List Items Punctuated Like a Sentence," are you using the semi-colon because the last item in the list includes commas? Would you use the semi-colon in such a list if there were no commas in the last item?

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How to Use Bullet Lists and Number Lists in a Research Paper

Academic articles often include lists, which organize the material and provide the reader with a quick overview of a section. There are different ways to format lists, but some general principles apply to all of them: they should be constructed in a parallel fashion, and they should be consistent. 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.

Types of List Formats

Run-in lists.

A run-in list, as the name suggests, is included as part of the general text. Elements can be separated in different ways, as shown in the examples below.

Separated with a Colon:   When a complete sentence is followed by a list of items, separate the sentence from the list with a colon.

E.g. “ Do not venture into the wilderness without these items: a knife, a book of matches, a flashlight, and a map. ”

Separated with Numbers:  When the list is part of the sentence, you can separate the items by numbering them.

E.g. “ The Housing Committee passed resolutions on (1) annual salaries, (2) fundraising efforts, and (3) community building. ”

Related: Need instant academic writing tips on your cell phone? Download the FREE Enago Academy mobile app now!

Vertical Lists

A vertical list should be preceded by a complete sentence that gives an overview of the points being listed. The list does not need to have a bullet point format and a punctuation mark is not at the end of the entries. For example:

Your admissions packet should include these items:

The three-page statement of purpose

The financial questionnaire

Your contact information

If the lead-in sentence is a complete one and all entries in the list are complete sentences, a punctuation mark should follow each entry. For example (using bullet points):

Make perfect banana bread every time by following these easy steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
• Grease an 8 x 8 baking dish.
• Combine all the dry ingredients (listed above).
• Gently fold in the wet ingredients (listed above).
• Pour the batter into the dish and bake for 45 minutes.

Again, note that because each entry in the list is a complete sentence, a final period is used.

Vertical Lists Punctuated as a Sentence

When a list is too long or convoluted to be presented as one sentence, you can use a vertical list that is punctuated like a sentence. This format is especially useful when the phrases include internal punctuations or the reader might find it difficult to follow the meaning. An example follows below.

Biology instructors have made significant changes to their curricula and classrooms, and today it is common to find

• innovative research techniques, especially those requiring knowledge of anatomy, in labs;
• greater focus on teamwork;
• in-class lectures customized for learning styles; and
• bilingual lesson plans.

Vertical Lists with Subdivided Items

A complex vertical list may be formatted in a way that resembles an outline, using numbers and letters to provide a logical structure. The lead-in (introductory) line should be a complete sentence, as seen in the example below.

Students should be prepared to discuss the following topics:

• Regional History
• Geography and landmarks
• Erosion in mountainous areas
• Notable Figures
• The first tribal chieftains
• The emergence of political divisions and leaders
• The role of women
• Cultural Developments
• The spread of language
• Music used to bind communities

The next time you read a research paper , look for lists and examine how they were constructed. Do the entries use a consistent format? Are the numbers and/or letters correctly placed and in the proper order? Is the lead-in line a complete sentence? If you find that these steps are all present, chances are that the author took the time to research the structure of lists and present them accurately. Now you can do the same.

References:

• Get It Write. Handling Vertical Lists.  Retrieved from http://www.getitwriteonline.com/archive/101406VerticalLists.htm

Very helpful and precise

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Best practice for writing and formatting bulleted lists

November 20, 2022 by David Barden

Bulleted lists are great for breaking up long lists into manageable chunks and for making your copy easier to scan. But are you getting the most out of this useful format? Follow these 12 tips for writing and formatting bulleted lists, and your key points are guaranteed to come across more strongly.

Take your time over bulleted lists

When presenting a set of related ideas, categories, features or benefits, the bulleted list is a winner on several levels. Not only is a bulleted list more visually appealing than a solid wall of text, but it helps the reader by breaking a complex chunk of information down into simpler elements.

But although writing out a bulleted list might seem like a quick job, doing it well requires considerable thought. To help you ensure that your next one works well, I’d like to share this checklist of best-practices for writing and formatting bulleted lists in your copy.

#1: Avoid more than seven items in a bulleted list

The first point is a structural one – don’t list too many things at once. A long bulleted list is certainly better than the same information presented as a solid paragraph, but the more items there are, the less engaging the list is, and the less likely it is that the reader will spot the points that interest them.

So keep your bulleted list to a maximum of about seven entries, and if it’s more, ask yourself, are all of those points really necessary? And if they are, would splitting up the list under separate headers make the individual entries easier to find?

#2: Use bullet-points with visual impact

Round solid bullet-points are the default option for many, but it’s worth trying other symbols if they’re available ( see below ). I quite like the filled square, the right-hand arrowhead, and the right-hand French angular quotation mark, while the check-mark is familiar in lists of benefits or included features. You could even go for custom bullet-points that mirror your brand, so long as they’re not too elaborate.

Make sure the size is appropriate too – symbols that are too large can look clunky and amateurish, whereas symbols that are too small will lack impact.

#3: Avoid sub-bullets

Word-processing packages typically offer tempting options for formatting bulleted lists at multiple levels, but in practice you should only use them when you absolutely have to. The more complex your bulleted list, the less understandable it will be at first glance.

However, if you do decide to go down this route, I’d recommend using a different symbol with a reduced weighting or size, such as the en-dash, the right-hand angle-bracket, or the open circle (see below). This prevents them distracting attention away from the top-level entries.

#4: Pick a strong colour

Having your bullet-points the same colour as the body text is the norm, but in a piece of company literature, using the brand colour for the bullet-point symbols gives a more professional touch.

Many brands have complementary colours, and if this is sufficiently strong, then it can help draw attention to the bulleted list without causing a colour clash.

#5: Adjust the indents and spacing carefully

Indents are normally handled well enough using the default settings for bulleted lists, so there’s no excuse for badly indented text or inconsistent alignment. I like to indent the bullet-points themselves by a few points compared to the body copy, as this is more visually pleasing.

Sub-bullets should be indented further in, and it’s worth experimenting with the settings so that you achieve a satisfactory alignment that doesn’t distract the reader.

Also ensure that the paragraph space between separate bulleted items is sufficient to avoid a text pile-up. If the entries themselves are short, a spacing that is a bit less than the regular paragraph spacing helps to keep the list looking coherent.

#6: Keep the text as short as possible

Moving on to the text itself, and the impact of bullet-points is greatly reduced if each bulleted item drags on for several lines. I’d recommend a maximum of four lines of text per item, and preferably just one or two.

Also, try and keep each bulleted item about the same length – switching from short text to long text is distracting, and may give a misleading impression of the importance of the entries.

#7: Use lead-ins for longer entries

If the text of your bulleted items is relatively complex, and you can’t reduce the word-count, then a good tactic is the lead-in . This is a few words formatted in bold at the start of each item, usually followed by a colon, full-stop or en-dash (scroll down to see the example in the graphic below). You will, however, need to phrase the lead-ins carefully so that the reader doesn’t lose track of what you’re saying.

#8: Use a consistent text structure

Speaking of phrasing, a vital aspect of bullet-points (in my opinion) is parallelism . This is writing the text so that each bulleted item starts with the same part of speech (e.g. verb, adjective, noun, adverb), and ideally uses the same sentence structure. Following this rule lends emphasis to what you’re saying, makes it easier to scan, and avoids mismatched phrasing between the introduction to the bulleted list and the list itself.

Start each bulleted item with the same part of speech to make your bulleted list easier to scan

#9: Use punctuation consistently

There are various styles of punctuation used for bulleted lists, but one thing is clear: in running text, you should always introduce your the list with a colon (:). The semicolon (;), although widely used, is incorrect.

As for the punctuation should you use at the end of items in your bulleted list, being consistent shows off your attention to detail. There are three options:

• Nothing: recommended for single words or short entries.
• Full-stop: recommended for longer entries or complete sentences, and optional at the end of the last item in any list.
• Semi-colon: archaic and best avoided, along with the “and” at the end of the penultimate item.

Ultimately, you should avoid any usage that distracts from the text – if it looks odd, then change it!

#10: Use initial capitals

Starting each bulleted item with a capital letter is recommended in nearly all instances. But where the bulleted items ‘run on’ from the body text above, then lower-case can make it clear that the sentences are intended to be read in that way. I’ve shown an example of this in tip #11.

#11: Use them for the right reasons

The tips above cover how to use bullet-points, but when should you use them?

I think you should consider using a bulleted list:

• where you need to highlight a range of ideas, options, features or benefits
• where the entire list is worthy of attention
• where the items can be conveyed concisely
• where the items are logically distinct
• where listing the points in the body text would be cumbersome.

If any of these don’t apply, then check that a bulleted list really is the right way forward. If your message makes more sense as body copy, it’s probably better that way.

#12: Don’t overuse them

And one final word: because the eye is naturally drawn towards bulleted lists, using them too liberally will reduce their impact. So use them only where necessary, and where they don’t vie for attention with other elements of your copy.

Battling with bullet-points? If you need help structuring your message for easy understanding, please get in touch.

• RRU Writing Centre
• WriteAnswers

Q. Are bulleted lists allowed in APA Style? How do I format a bulleted or numbered list?

• 2 Academic Integrity
• 48 Academic writing
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• 33 APA Style: Formatting
• 109 APA Style: In-text citations
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• 16 Paraphrasing
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• 16 Writing Centre information
• 63 Writing Centre resources

Answered By: Jonathan Faerber (he/him/his) Last Updated: Nov 04, 2021     Views: 169532

APA Style (7th ed.)

Bulleted and numbered lists are permitted by the APA Style rules; however, if you're unsure if your instructor will permit them in your assignment, please check with your instructor. Keep in mind that because bulleted or numbered lists only provide surface-level information rather than include analysis, and because the focus of academic writing is to demonstrate your critical thinking, these lists are used sparingly in formal academic writing in favor of communicating your ideas in complete sentences and paragraphs. See below for information regarding formatting lists.

Bulleted lists

The capitalization and punctuation for each bulleted item depends on whether the items form sentences or sentence parts. If the bulleted text is a full sentence, capitalize the first letter of the first word and end the paragraph with a period. For example:

• This is a sentence.
• This is another sentence.
• This is the last sentence of the bulleted list.

When a bulleted list separates three or more elements within a sentence, “begin each bulleted item with a lowercase letter” and either punctuate each item in the list as parts of a sentence (e.g., inserting commas), or exclude punctuation after each item (American Psychological Association [APA], 2020, pp. 190-191). For example:

In December 2018, British Columbia had an extreme storm that caused:

• massive damage due to high winds,
• widespread power outages that lasted many days, and
• flooded roads.

This storm affected multiple areas on Vancouver Island, including:

For other examples of bulleted lists, see Bulleted Lists in the APA Style Blog. For an explanation of the difference between a complete sentence and its parts, please see Sentences  and Sentence Elements  on the Writing Centre website.

Numbered lists

Numbered lists are helpful to identify the organization of information, such as "itemized conclusions” or “steps in a procedure" (APA, 2020, p. 190). Keep the following steps when creating a number list:

• Create the numbered list using the numbered list function on Microsoft Word or similar program.
• Set off Arabic numerals at the beginning of each item with a period rather than parentheses (i.e., “2.” rather than “(2)” or “2)”)
• Begin each item in the numbered list with a capital letter, and follow appropriate sentence punctuation throughout the list, using end marks like periods, exclamation, or question marks where required.

Please keep in mind that "the use of 'numbered lists' may connote an unwanted or unwarranted ordinal position (e.g. chronology, importance, priority) among the items" (APA, 2020, p. 190). To avoid this suggestion of position, use a bulleted list instead. For more information on numbered lists, see Numbered Lists in the APA Style Blog.

Lettered lists within a sentence

Lettered lists within a sentence are a good way to identify elements in a series within a paragraph or sentence without breaking the elements into a numbered or bulleted list. To indicate the list, use lowercase letters in parentheses (American Psychological Association, 2020, p. 189). For example, "students were asked to choose between completing (a) a formal research essay, (b) a documentary-style video, (c) a multi-media experience that involves participants". To punctuate a lettered list within a sentence, use commas between each of three or more items, or use semicolons when separating items that include commas, such as a series of phrases (APA, 2020, p.189). See Lettered Lists from the APA Style Blog for more information and examples.

American Psychological Association. (2020).  Publication manual of the American Psychological Association  (7th ed.).  https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

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Rules and Examples

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Numbered lists vs bulleted lists

Numbered lists.

• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
• Blend at high speed for 2 minutes.
• Pour mixture into a large pan.
• Bake at 180 degrees for 50 minutes.

Bulleted lists

Tips for using bullets, introducing a bulleted list, 1. a colon ( : ) is the most common way to introduce a bulleted list..

• Teachers must plan classroom activities, including:
• Responsibilities:
• To clean your oven:

2. In informal writing, an introductory sentence can end with a period or question mark if it is a complete sentence.

• What are the best jobs for college students?
• There are many things to consider when shopping for a home.
• Teachers have many duties before and after school.

3. Do not introduce a bulleted list with a semicolon or comma .

All items in a bulleted list should follow the same form

A) begin each bullet with the same part of speech (noun, verb, adjective).

• Remove items from shelves before dusting.
• Vacuum windowsills and corners with a vacuum hose .
• Clean windows with a newspaper and cleaning solution.
• Dust all ceiling fans and lights.

B) Items in the list should be in the same grammatical format (a word, phrase, or complete sentence), and should follow the same grammatical structure.

• double-digit addition
• double-digit subtraction
• single-digit multiplication
• long division
• multiplying single numbers
• We learned how to do long division in school.

When to use periods with bulleted lists

A) use periods after complete sentences or independent clauses.

• Clean up after yourself.
• Respect others.
• Listen to the teacher.
• Complete assignments on time.
• Raise your hand to ask a question.

• feeding horses
• watering dogs
• gathering eggs
• taking out trash

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APA Sample Paper

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Note:  This page reflects the latest version of the APA Publication Manual (i.e., APA 7), which released in October 2019. The equivalent resource for the older APA 6 style  can be found here .

Media Files: APA Sample Student Paper  ,  APA Sample Professional Paper

This resource is enhanced by Acrobat PDF files. Download the free Acrobat Reader

Note: The APA Publication Manual, 7 th Edition specifies different formatting conventions for student  and  professional  papers (i.e., papers written for credit in a course and papers intended for scholarly publication). These differences mostly extend to the title page and running head. Crucially, citation practices do not differ between the two styles of paper.

However, for your convenience, we have provided two versions of our APA 7 sample paper below: one in  student style and one in  professional  style.

Note: For accessibility purposes, we have used "Track Changes" to make comments along the margins of these samples. Those authored by [AF] denote explanations of formatting and [AWC] denote directions for writing and citing in APA 7. 

APA 7 Student Paper:

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Using Bullet Points

How to write bullets points correctly.

Create Parallel Lists (Use the Same Type of Word)

• Bathing in the river.
• Driving in the town.
• The local tapas bar.

Examples of Parallel Bullet Points

• Maintaining fire alarms and extinguishers.
• Training staff in CPR.
• Training staff how to use a defibrillator.
• Conducting routine fire-safety inspections.
• Complete the online data-storage course.
• Confirm your contact details with your line manager.
• Remove all personal items from their desks.
• Acquire a system log-in from the IT Support Desk.
• Tenacious in the pursuit of sales targets.
• Robust in the face of rejection.
• Determined to improve.
• Able to withstand pressure.
• Enthusiastic at all times.

Consistent Formatting with Bullet Points

Capital letter and a period (full stop).

• Egg-and-spoon race.
• Toss the pancake.
• Apple bobbing.

Lowercase Letters and No End Mark

• egg-and-spoon race
• toss the pancake
• apple bobbing

Punctuate Like a Sentence

• egg-and-spoon race,
• toss the pancake, and
• apple bobbing.

Punctuate Like a Sentence with Semicolons

• egg-and-spoon race;
• toss the pancake; and

Be Consistent!

Be Logical!

Don't Introduce Your List with a Semicolon

• Eating in the local tapas bar.

This page was written by Craig Shrives .

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What Are Bullet Points ( • ) And How Do You Use Them?

• What Is A Bullet Point?
• When To Use Them
• How To Use Them
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Everybody likes lists. Nobody likes long, confusing lists. And that’s why we use bullet points to gather up major points or items and organize them neatly into a list. However, bullet points are just a tool in the toolbox; it is still up to the each writer to know how to use them to make a list or summary that is concise and easy to follow. While proper bullet point usage often relies heavily on a style guide, there are some general tips to ensure our bullet points always hit the mark.

What is a bullet point ?

A bullet point is a symbol that is used in writing to introduce an item in a list. A commonly used symbol to represent a bullet point is a centered dot (•), but many different symbols and characters can be used in bullet point lists. Sometimes, bulleted lists even use numbers and/or letters.

✏️ Example usage of bullet points

The following example shows how a list with bullet points might appear in writing:

The experiment studied how children reacted differently to a variety of Halloween monsters. There were several major takeaways from the study :

• Werewolves were consistently rated to be the scariest monsters.
• Ugly vampires were typically said to be scarier than other types of vampires.
• Zombies scored higher scariness ratings with young girls than with young boys.
• Clowns, despite being a control group, scored unexpectedly high scariness ratings.

When do you use bullet points?

In writing, bullet points are typically only used in lists. In general, formal writing reserves bulleted lists for certain situations, such as the quick presentation of important information or to efficiently summarize a writer’s major points. In informal writing, bulleted lists can be used for a wide variety of reasons, such as presenting a list of ingredients or giving step-by-step directions on how to do something.

This means that you’ll need to use your own judgment on when a list with bullet points might be the best way to present information. In general, bulleted lists are helpful when you want to quickly and efficiently give a reader important information. In formal writing, it is usually recommended to not overuse bulleted lists and save them for when you really need to capture an audience’s attention.

The following examples show just some of the different ways we might use lists with bullet points in different pieces of writing:

Summarizing

Bullet points are useful for summarizing a longer, more complicated argument or topic. For example:

In conclusion, dogs clearly make better pets than cats.  In this thesis paper, I have argued that :

• dogs are good pets, while cats are nefarious troublemakers
• dogs live up to their moniker of “man’s best friend,” while cats merely tolerate humans at best
• dogs can perform a variety of useful jobs for society, while cats are unapologetic freeloaders 

With these major points in mind, dogs clearly are the superior pet .

Highlighting major points

Bullet points can neatly order a writer’s major pints. For example:

After reading this guide to computers, you will be able to 

• create folders and files
• set up an internet connection
• connect your computer to wireless devices
• navigate all of the programs that come with your operating system
• install and use virus protection software

List of items

Bullet points are useful or organizing lists. For example:

In order to make this recipe, you will need :

• strawberries
• cocoa powder
• cream cheese

Pssst. Are you a writing rebel? We’ll tell you which grammar rules were meant to be broken.

Bullet points can help organize detailed instructions or directions. For example:

In order to reach the museum from Main Street, follow these directions exactly :

• Drive south and turn left onto 2nd Street
• Drive two miles, then merge onto Interstate 12
• Drive ten miles, then take exit 17a
• Pass the third intersection, then take the second right
• Look for the museum on your right after passing the giant inflatable gorilla

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How to use bullet points

In general, the formatting and rules of bulleted lists will depend heavily on the style guide that you use. Style guides often have specific rules regarding indentation, margins, capitalization, punctuation, and which symbols to use as bullet points. As always, it is best to follow whatever rules are listed in the style guide you use. If you don’t use a particular style guide, it is best to at least stay consistent with whatever formatting you decide to use.

If not using a style guide, there are some general recommendations common among writing resources:

1. It is recommended to introduce a bulleted list with an introductory sentence or headline.

2. Punctuation is typically reserved for complete sentences. For example, the following bulleted list uses sentence fragments:

• a little bit of fog

This list, on the other hand, uses complete sentences:

• Students will sit in Section B.
• Arena staff will sit in the front three rows.
• VIPs may sit wherever they please.
• All audience members must remain seated for the entirety of the performance.

3. In general, complete sentences are usually capitalized. Sentence fragments may or may not be capitalized depending on the writer.

4. It is commonly recommended that the elements of a bulleted list be relatively the same length.

5. Each bullet should begin with the same part of speech: verb, adjective, noun, etc.

6. Numbers/letters are used when the order of the items matters or when the list will refer to other specific entries in the list.

However, none of these recommendations are established rules of using bulleted lists. In general, you can use whatever format you like when using a bulleted list—if not following a style guide, of course. The important thing is to remain consistent and try to stick to a format that isn’t difficult for an audience to read or follow.

Take this quiz to see how much you know about bullet points and other typographical symbols.

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How to write powerful bullet points your readers won't skip.

Bullet points are the key to writing content that grabs attention. Learn about why they’re valuable, and see examples to help you write your own.

Published on Nov 27, 2021

By Austin Distel

In this age of non-stop stimulation online, capturing and keeping attention is a key goal for marketers. Grabbing and holding the attention of your audience can make or break your ability to bring awareness to your brand. 

Bullet points are a form of summarized content that offers readers the brevity they want without sacrificing value. To do this, your bullet points should be high-impact statements about your content. 

In this article, we’ll share ways you can use bullet points to make your content more appealing to readers while keeping their attention. We’ll also highlight an important tool to help you write persuasive bullet points. 

Numbered lists vs. bulleted lists

Generally, there are two forms of lists — numbered lists and bulleted lists. Here are some writing tips for using each option.

When numbered lists are better

A numbered list is information introduced with a numerical value; a number. These lists are best used when the order of the items in the list matter i.e. the order in which you complete the steps is important. 

Numbered lists might be used for any of the following reasons:

• Making a top 10 list
• Writing a step-by-step guide
• Listing hypotheses

Here’s how a numbered list would work in a step-by-step guide. For example, this guide teaches you how to wash a car:

• Prepare two buckets of water with a cleaning solution and a spare cloth.
• Park your car in an open space where you can reach all sides.
• Rinse the car with clean water to remove any loose dirt or mud.
• Dip the cloth in the cleaning solution and use it to wipe the car down, from top to bottom.
• Rinse the car again with clean water to remove all the cleaning solution.
• Wax your car for added shine and luxury.

When bulleted lists win

We use bullet lists instead of a numbered list if the order of the points doesn’t matter. These lists begin with a special character most commonly resembling dots, which may be a small filled-in circle or a small outlined circle.

Bulleted lists are also more versatile than numbered lists. 

The benefits of bulleted lists include that they:

• Share content efficiently: Simplifying content into its essence gets your point across faster.
• Improve readability: Readers enjoy content more (and stick around longer) when it is easier to skim and read.
• Draw attention to the most important information: Readers grasp valuable information more quickly.

How to write powerful bullet points

Writing strong bullet points doesn’t have to be a mystery. Here’s what you need to know to write bulleted lists that keep readers interested in your blog articles :

1. Keep bullet points symmetrical

Make sure all the points in your list are about the same length. eye-tracking research shows that symmetrical content holds readers’ attention for longer. consistency is key for readability., for example:.

• Keep bullet points symmetrical
• Make sure they’re simple to read
• When writing bullet points, make sure they’re simple and easy to read — this makes it easier for readers to follow

It’s harder for readers’ eyes to follow your second bullet because it strays much farther than the first.

2. Simplify your idea 

Powerful bullet points get right to the point with no added fluff words or ideas. You can do this by removing any extra words and including only the most important ideas and phrases. For example:

• Eat oranges for extra vitamin C
• You can eat oranges to increase the amount of vitamin C in your body

3. Make them mini-headlines

Think of writing your bulleted lists the way you would write a catchy headline . It’s important to include the most important information first, then add details afterwards. You might want to incorporate power words into your first phrase to add strength to your bullet point. For example:

• Access power words instantly
• Get access to all the best words to use right away

4. Begin with verbs 

Verbs pull readers in instantly by offering the most informative words first. Additionally, leading with verbs creates more impactful sentences, since they emphasize the action. Strong verbs don’t require an accompanying adjective because they are descriptive on their own. For example:

• Begin bullet points with a verb
• To start a bullet point, use a verb

5. Incorporate keywords 

Emphasizing your keywords doesn’t just help readers find the information they need faster, it increases your article’s chances of ranking as a featured snippet . Better SEO leads to more traffic for your article and website.

5 vital tips for using bullet points effectively

Bullet points make your content shine and stand out from the crowd. Follow these writing tips to make your bullet points the best possible:

• Write in short phrases: Effective bullet points are short and to the point. Long bullet points defeat the goal of scannable content and will lose your audience's attention. 
• Remove transition words: Bullet points don’t need to be full sentences. Words like “next” or “additionally” are unnecessary and only slow your reader down.
• Emphasize the first few words : For longer bullets, summarize the main point in the first few words. Let the rest of the sentence explain the shortened concept or idea.
• Don’t use too many bullets: A long wall of bullet lists is as good as no bullets. The same thing goes for sub-bullet or nested bullet points. It results in cluttered text that is hard to skim.
• Ensure continuity: Make sure that your introductory sentence flows seamlessly into your bullet points. Each bullet list should form a grammatically correct sentence when joined with the introductory sentence. See an example below. 

Amara’s favorite fruits are:

• She likes apples
• She likes to eat bananas

Punctuation and grammar in bulleted lists

Both punctuation and grammatical structure matter in bulleted lists. Poor punctuation makes your article look poorly done and can cost you your credibility. To ensure this doesn’t happen, make sure to follow these style guidelines.

Capitalization

Typically, the first word of each bullet point starts with a capital letter. This is the standard in business writing and online content. If your bullet points are single words or phrases, some style guides allow you to begin with a lowercase letter.

It’s up to you whether to make your bullet points complete sentences, a short headline, or just a few words. Regardless, try to maintain the same format for all of the bullet points in the list. If your bullet point is just a phrase or sentence fragment, don’t add a period at the end.

If your bullet point is a whole sentence, make sure to finish it off with a period. Adding a period after each bullet point indicates a full stop. If your point is a sentence fragment or phrase, it doesn’t need a period.

When introducing a bulleted list, make sure your introductory phrase or sentence ends with a  colon — not a dash or semicolon. 

5 great examples of bullet points to learn from

Want to see excellent examples of bullet point usage across a variety of platforms? We’ve gathered three examples to get you started: 

1. Bullet list example by APA Style Guide ‍

This bulleted list is introduced with a phrase that only mentions the most important information. It shows how a single word or phrase can be used to effectively share the main idea. 

2. Bulleted list example from the CoSchedule blog

This list has a bold introductory phrase, letting readers know exactly what the list is for. It also helps them find the bullet points quickly in the article. The list comes immediately after a short couple of sentences, which maintains flow as someone reads the article.

We love that it uses just a few words or a single phrase for each point, keeping the information simple and clear. Notice how each of the list items begins with a capital letter.

3. Bulleted list example by ConvertKit

Here’s another bulleted list that is introduced with a sentence. Notice how the first word is bolded to emphasize the most important information first. The sentence that follows describes the initial point to add clarity and detail. Also, see how each one of the points follows the same format for ease of reading.

4. Bulleted list example by Zapier

This bullet list is unique because it’s written in the first person. The author successfully uses symmetry, verbs, and short phrases to quickly and effectively make his points clear. Readers get an instant feel for his success with these powerful bullet points.

5. Bulleted list example by Ahrefs

This is an example of a bulleted list that replaces long sentences with short and sweet points. Rather than losing readers’ interest with a paragraph explaining these points, a short bullet list does the trick to share the information while keeping readers engaged.

Creating persuasive bullet points with Jasper AI

AI can assist you with writing in various ways, including writing powerful bullet points. Take Jasper’s Persuasive Bullet Points template, for instance. 

It’s so easy to add in your information, select how many outputs you’d like, and hit “Generate AI Content” for instant optimization.

With Jasper, you can take your value-packed product description and transform it with engaging and magnetic bullet points. There — your product description just went from boring to brilliant! 

Write anything about your company or product and let Jasper give it the extra boost to catch the eye of your ideal customer. Jasper recognizes power words, patterns, and knows which short phrases will be key for conveying your information. 

Our AI writer distills bulky text into convincing, high-impact bullet points for landing pages, product descriptions, and article readability. 

You don’t have to stop at bullet points though. Jasper can help with all of your content writing needs with over 52 different templates to take your writing from boring to brilliant. You can also get more out of Jasper by using the guides in Jasper Jumpstart .

You’ll get upgraded copy in no time — no editor needed! Don’t take our word for it, sign up with Jasper and try it yourself today.

Meet The Author:

Austin Distel

Austin Distel is the Sr. Director of Marketing at Jasper , your AI marketing co-pilot. When not working, Austin is also an Airbnb superhost in Austin, Texas.

Enjoy this post? Join over 4 million people who are learning to master AI in 2024.

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Bullet Point Format Essay Example

A bullet point format essay example is one way to quickly find out more about this type of format for your essays. The basic idea is that you will divide the article into sub-parts and then list the sections so that you can easily find out what to write about. By doing this you will be able to make sure that all the points are well supported and can also have a clear understanding of where you want to go with the essay.

There are a number of good examples available on the Internet which show you how this particular format works. These include some examples of different styles that could work and it also shows you the various methods of placing the bullet points. By using this type of format you can create an interesting and attractive essay which can make people read it.

You may want to find some resources which contain different types of essay examples and which can give you a better idea of the subject of the article. One of the best places to start looking is the World Wide Web. There are a number of websites which have been set up with the sole purpose of showing people the different styles of formatting which can be used and you may find that by using these you will be able to get the essay in a much better shape.

Another great place to look for an essay example is to use the library. Many libraries will have a lot of different resources on the topic and you may find that they will have examples on the walls which have been used many times before. They should also have some books that can give you ideas of how to use this type of format and will show you how to use the format within an essay as well.

You should not think that it is difficult to write your own bullet point style essay. In fact, there are a number of good examples on the Internet which have been written by very experienced writers. If you want to create an interesting essay which is suitable for the level of your own writing, you should consider using this format.

You can also find it interesting to read other essays that are written in a different style which are in the same topic. This means that you will find that there is a great choice of different formats from which you can choose to use when creating your essay.

Bullet point format is a style of formatting which works particularly well for students who are starting out. If you have completed your first semester then you will be able to use this format to show off your high school work in a way which is suitable to a higher level. If you have not completed any writing at all then you may find that it is possible to use this form to help you show off your writing skills.

There are a number of different format essay examples on the Internet and they can give you a better idea of how to use the format in order to create an interesting essay. These include all the different parts of the essay, how to structure it and how to place the points.

The most important thing about using bullet point format is that you need to make sure that the points that you are going to be using do not get buried in the essay. You will find that if you have a poor argument then it will be more difficult to read than if you have strong points within the essay.

The first thing that you will need to do to find a bullet point style essay example is to browse around on the Internet to see what you can find. There is a large amount of these types of resources available and by doing some research you should be able to find one that is suitable to your needs.

When you are looking for an essay example to use on your essay then you will need to ensure that you are checking back against each essay that you use. in order to ensure that the material is as correct as possible. By doing this you will be sure that you have created a good example which can be used successfully in an essay and you will also have a good reference point that you can use in the future.

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Can an Essay have Bullet Points? Tips How to use them Right

Can the Essay be written in Points

One can use bullets as a way of arousing your interest in an article. However, you should do it moderately without the instance of overusing them. Points are the easiest way of breaking the information.

Besides, you must consider your document and your audience before finding it appropriate to use bullets. When you use them well, it will make it easier to write a hard-to-please audience and nail your point home. 

An essay can have bullet points if they help in presenting the arguments that the essay seeks to present. The points can help the reader understand more about the subject being written about. However, bullets in an essay should be restricted to a few lines because it is not feasible to write the whole essay in point form. An essay is a prose text and can only accommodate a few bullets.

When using bullets, ensure the sentence is relatively short. Again, the bullet points do not have to be complete sentences. Such allow the online reader to scan through the content and have a clue of what you are talking about. The bullets are great for use in an essay because they enhance the easier processing of information. 

No, you will be on safer grounds if you write without bullets. Depending on your establishment, you should avoid the use of bullets to avoid criticism and complaints.

You can organize it in a three-paragraph format which includes the introduction, body, and conclusion. You can read more about how to structure an essay in our guide and get more insights on such paragraphing.

Need Help with your Homework or Essays?

Tips how to incorporate bullet points into an essay.

An academic article can include lists that assist in organizing the materials and enable the reader to have a quick overview of that section.

One should construct them in a parallel fashion so as to have a point per line.

They should be consistent and organized to support the argument of that paragraph and the thesis in general.

In all cases, avoid numbers, bullets, and letters.

Several ways exist to format lists, as follows:

1. Run-In Lists 

A run-list is part of the general text where you can separate the elements by performing the following actions.

• Separate them with Numbers: You can separate the list by numbering. For example, 

The steering committee passed resolutions on 1) Consensus building, 2) Community allowances, and 3) Implementation of critical agendas. 

• Separate with Colon: It is a complete sentence followed by a list of items. There will be a separate sentence emanating from the list with a colon, as shown in the example. 

Do not hunt in the forest without the following tools: a sword, a bag, boots, and a phone.

2. Vertical Lists 

When you use the vertical lists, you should start with a full sentence that will offer an overview of what to expect. However, the list should not take a bullet format, as indicated below. 

Your admission letter should include the following items:

• The overall fee structure for the whole year
• The doctor’s recommendation part
• Your contact details

Alternatively, suppose the lead-in sentence is complete featuring all entries in the list; you can use a punctuation mark to follow each entry. For example, you can use the bullet points as indicated in the bellow sentence.

You can make whole plant-based cookies by performing the following steps: 

• Preheat the oven to a minimum temperature of 350F. 
• Add the dried food to the bowl.
• Stir all these mixtures (listed above).
• You can empty the ingredients (listed above). 
• Cover and allow it to chill in a fridge.  

In the example above, the steps use numbers as the bullet form, and they are necessary to list the steps of the recipe. Notably, every entry is a complete sentence; hence, you must use a final period. 

3. Punctuating Vertical Lists as a Sentence 

Such a scenario is actually when the list is too long. The format is ideal when the phrases consist of internal punctuations, making the reader find it hard to follow.

For example,

The physics professors proposed significant changes in the curriculum, and now it is a norm to find 

• great focus on teamwork;
• customized in-class lectures to enhance all learning styles;
• creative research techniques with an emphasis on those that require knowledge in labs;
• bilingual lesson plans.

4. Vertical Lists featuring subdivided items 

One can format a complex vertical list to resemble an outline using letters or numbers in the logical procedure. The introductory line must be a complete sentence, as indicated in the following example.

The debating club should be ready to ventilate on the following topics: 

• Cultural developments 
• The spread of the language 
• Development of kingdoms 
• The role of chiefs 
• Notable figures 

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Examples of Main Points in an Essay

You can indicate your main points in an easy to aid the understanding of the reader. For example, in the following paragraph.

Mediation is an ancient practice that users consider as a mind-body medicine that promotes a tranquil mind. It consists of relaxed breathing, a focused mind, a quiet environment, and a comfortable position.

Bullet Point Essay Example

When talking about a particular topic on ‘Rabbit repellants,’ we can justify our argument using the following formats.

A rabbit repellent is efficient in keeping the rabbits away since it has some formulations that are not pleasant to rabbits. This repellent works by forming an inhospitable environment for the rabbits, prompting them to go to the other garden. A good repellant should have the following features:

• Natural ingredients 
• Long-lasting application 
• It is non-toxic to animals and pets 

Check out my guide on whether essays can have subheadings and see the other side of writing essays other than just using bullets.

Josh Jasen or JJ as we fondly call him, is a senior academic editor at Grade Bees in charge of the writing department. When not managing complex essays and academic writing tasks, Josh is busy advising students on how to pass assignments. In his spare time, he loves playing football or walking with his dog around the park.

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Bullet Statement Format

Anyone who's been through Airman Leadership School knows that bullet statement format is the format required for entries in the AF Form 910. But in case you've forgotten just what bullet statement format is and how to write the most effective bullets, we'll go over it again. The bullet statement format is a way to describe an achievement in as few words as possible yet fully explain the accomplishment.

It's a direct manner of listing accomplishments which specifically avoids generalities, unsubstantiated claims, and flowery embellishments. This format is neccessary for two reasons. First, space on the AF Form 910 is limited so we have to make an effort to communicate the most information is as few words as possible. Second, writing in this manner helps cut out the unneccessary words and makes the statements factual and to the point. This ultimately makes EPRs more readable and more honest descriptions of a person's performance.

AFI 36-2406 states:

1.3.6. Nicknames and Acronyms. 1.3.6.1. Nicknames that are a form of the ratee's name, to include middle names, are permitted (i.e., Bill/Will for William, Jim for James, Chris for Christopher/Christine). Call signs and code names are not authorized. 1.3.6.2. Common acronyms and abbreviations such as CGO, NCO, CONUS, TDY, org, and wg, are not required to be spelled out. 1.3.6.3. Uncommon acronyms are not required to be spelled out in the evaluators comment sections. Uncommon acronyms must be spelled out in the Remarks section. Creating a continuation sheet solely to record acronyms is not authorized.

But all the above still doesn't clearly answer the question of exactly what is bullet statement format. According to the Tounge and Quill , Chapter 19, Writing Better Bullet Statements, "all bullet statements must be accurate, brief and specific".

It states that there are two types of bullet statement formats:

Single Idea Bullets

Definition: A concise written statement of a single idea or concept. This format is used in the Job Description section.

Accomplishment-Impact Bullets

Definition: A concise written statement of a person's single accomplishment and its impact on the unit mission, organization, etc. This is the format for the Performance Assessment blocks of the EPR. -Must clearly state a single accomplishment -Must have an impact -Impact can be implied (Specific Achievement) or expressly stated -Strive to relate impact to the unit mission, organization, etc. -Make impact clear to those not familiar with career field, unique terminology, jargon, etc. -Expressly stated impact should strengthen bullet statement -Expressly stated impact should put accomplishment into perspective -Accomplishment element must always precede impact element

Types of Accomplishment-Impact Bullets

-Action Verb: Accomplishment begins with strong, descriptive action verb (Repaired, Rescued, Engineered) -Modified Verb: Accomplishment begins with modifier (typically adverb) (Expertly repaired, Immediately rescued) -Specific Achievement: Impact is implied, not expressly stated (Processed over 10,000 widgets)

Job Description

When completing the Key Duties, Tasks, and Responsibilities block, use single idea bullet statements that fully describe the ratee's duties :

The bullet statements in the Key Duties, Tasks, and Responsibilties block should begin with the action that is being described. Start the bullet statement with a present-tense verb whenever possible (Repairs, Manages, Aligns, etc.).   In most cases, the ratee is not responsible for writing their own job description. The workcenter typically has several approved versions of the workcenter's job description and the NCOIC usually prefers that you use the version appropriate for your position and duty. Most Airmen leave the Job Description section blank and let their supervisor fill it in.

Performance Assessment

When completing the Performance Assessment blocks and the Additional Rater's Comments block, use the Accomplishment-Impact type bullet format. In these blocks, the bullet statements should have two parts:

Part 1. Describes the accomplishment.

Part 2. Describes the accomplishment's positive effect or impact.

Swept over 10,000 square feet of runway --reduced foreign object damage by 50%

Note that bullet statements are limited to two lines. But even though we're allowed two lines to elaborate on each accomplishment, to give the best impression, the EPR should consist mostly of one-line bullet statements -like this:

- Responded to urgent request to reserve conference room for critical 5/6 meeting --rescued failing organization

- Delivered over 100 tons of transatlantic mail --set new record for delivery time

- Volunteered to serve as proctor for key awards ceremoney ; demonstrated rare, vital leadership

The reason for this abbreviated style of writing is that, in the past, a lot of people had problems remembering or even identifying their accomplishments over the previous reporting period. When it was time to fill out their EPR, typically they could only come up with three or four accomplishments and would have to try and stretch them out to fill the required space. They would add a lot of extra words and unnecessary adjectives to describe their grandiose accomplishments --just to stretch their words out to fill the required lines. The end result was a lot of hot air and doubletalk that didn't say much. The requirement for bullet statement format prevents that kind of writing.

Although the goal is a single-line bullet statement, sometimes it's difficult to adequately describe a complex and important accomplishment in a single line. In that case, use two lines. But don't use too many two-line bullets or it may give the EPR reader the impression that you don't have many real accomplishments and that you're trying to stretch your words out to fill space. The format below is commonly used for two-line bullet statements (although variations are acceptable).

- Supervised long overdue and complicated preventive maintenance inspection on critical terminal equipment -- Trained seven techs on alignments, prevented future maint delays, ensured continuous support to OEF mission

It consists of the main bullet (on the first line) and a sub-bullet (on the second line). The double dash before the sub-bullet on the second line indicates that it supports the line above. In order to make your bullet statements readable, you must somehow signal the beginning of the impact portion of the bullet. With single-line bullet statements, the start of the postive result or impact is marked with a semi-colon or double-dash. With two-line bullet statements, the double-dash is used if the impact segment is started on a new line. If the impact segment starts in the middle of a line, either first or second, then either the semi-colon or double-dash may be used.

The single-line bullet and the two-line bullet format can be mixed as required. Liberties may be taken with the two-line bullet format. The bullet can consist of two or three or more sentence fragments and the accomplishment can exceed one line and run into the second line like this :

- Provided expert assistance to Army Depot maintenance team; replaced azimuth motor electric brake assembly; facilitated troubleshooting and repair of autotrack failure ; restored comm 50% ahead of prediction, reduced TDY by 50%

Bullet statements don�t have to and usually don't follow strict grammatical rules. For example, substituting commas or semicolons for "and" and omitting articles such as "a" or "the" will help you shoehorn an accomplishment into a single line.

A bullet statement like "Revitalized unit PT program, volunteered, led morning exercise; increased annual pass rate" is perfectly acceptable.

Bullet statements describing accomplishments for the Performance Assessment Section should begin with the action that is being described. Start the bullet statement with a past-tense verb whenever possible (Repaired, Managed, Aligned, etc.)

- Recruited over 30 participants to...

- Identified, isolated loss of radar to fault in...

- Repaired broken hose assembly and...

Don't start a bullet statement with unneccessary adjectives or adverbs as in "Quickly and efficiently registered..." or "Expertly and consistently identified...". The Air Force frowns on unnecessary adjectives. And this kind of thing suggests that the accomplishment isn't significant if you have to resort to this kind of word inflation. But, if being quick and efficient is somehow relevant and needs to be emphasized, then go ahead and word it as you think best.

Be as specific as possible. Review every word and evaluate whether it's too broad or vague. If another word can narrow the meaning, use it instead. Don�t leave room for doubt. Examples: �participated in� could mean anything from �signed in� to �directly responsible for key aspect of the operation.� Another example is �active Base NCO club member� which could mean anything from showing up for happy hour to planning and organizing special events. Be specific. If you're not specific, the EPR reader will assume that the ratee didn't have a real accomplishment and is trying to coast on someone else's work by claiming participation.