Isabella Carter
Whether or not to use periods at the end of bullet points is a common dilemma for writers. Bullet points are a great way to make your writing more digestible and organized, but they should be used consistently. The general rule is that if a bullet point contains a complete sentence, it should end with a period. However, if you are listing words or short phrases, you can omit the period. When listing longer sentence fragments, periods are optional, but consistency is key.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| If the bullet point contains a sentence | Add a period at the end |
| If the bullet point is a sentence fragment or a short phrase | Omit the period |
| If the bullet point is a longer sentence fragment | Use of periods is optional |
| If the bullet point is paired with another clause | Lowercase the first word unless it's a proper noun |
| Consistency | Important |
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What You'll Learn
Bullet points that are complete sentences
When it comes to bullet points that are complete sentences, there are a few key guidelines to keep in mind. Firstly, consistency is crucial. It is recommended to use either all full sentences or all sentence fragments within the same list. Mixing sentence structures can be confusing for readers and detract from the overall clarity of the text.
Another important rule to follow is to use proper punctuation, including capitalisation and ending with a period, just as you would with any other sentence. For example, if you are describing a visit to the zoo, each bullet point can be a standalone sentence:
- "A lioness licked her cub's fur."
- "A giraffe ate leaves from the tree."
- "A polar bear paced in its cave."
In this case, each bullet point is a complete sentence and therefore requires a period at the end. Additionally, the first word of each sentence is capitalised, following standard grammar rules.
It is also worth noting that when pairing a bullet point with another clause, the first word of the bullet point should be lowercase unless it is a proper noun. For example:
"I like going to the zoo because: a lioness licked her cub's fur; a giraffe ate leaves from the tree; a polar bear paced in its cave."
Here, the bullet points are dependent clauses that complete the opening stem sentence, so they follow the same punctuation rules as regular sentences.
Bullet points can also be used to create a miniature "to-do" list or a list of directives. In this case, each bullet point starts with a verb, creating a sense of action for the reader:
- "Read through the client's creative brief."
- "Take notes on the provided research articles."
- "Pull relevant work from our shared files."
By following these guidelines, writers can effectively use bullet points that are complete sentences to enhance the organisation and readability of their content.
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Bullet points paired with an introductory stem
Bullet points are a useful organisational tool to make your writing more digestible and organised. However, they follow a specific set of punctuation rules. When it comes to periods, it depends on whether your bullet points are complete sentences or sentence fragments. If a full sentence is listed with a bullet point, it should end with a period. For example, if you are describing what you saw at a local zoo, you could say:
> A lioness licked her cub's fur.
> A giraffe ate leaves off the tree.
> A polar bear walked into its cave.
All three bullet points include standalone sentences and, therefore, have periods at the end. Consistency is important when using bullet points. Don't mix up sentences, introductory stems, and single-word bullet points within the same list.
However, if you are listing words or short phrases, you should omit the period. For example:
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Speaking
- Reading
Here, the bullet points aren't complete sentences, so you don't need to add periods. There is also no introductory clause to pair them with, so you won't need to add periods to the end.
When your bullet points form complete sentences when paired with an introductory stem, you should add a period to the end of each item. For example:
> To prepare for a foreign language exam, you should:
> - Learn the grammar rules.
> - Expand your vocabulary with new words.
> - Practise speaking with a partner.
> - Read books in that language.
Each item in the list forms a complete sentence when paired with the introductory clause, so they should have periods at the end. Note that the first word in each bullet point isn't capitalised in this example. When pairing the bullet point with another clause, you should lowercase the first word unless it is a proper noun, as a capitalised word wouldn't normally appear in the middle of a standalone sentence.
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Capitalisation in bullet points
The use of bullet points is a helpful way to present information concisely and make your writing more digestible and organised. However, bullet points can create confusion for writers, especially when it comes to punctuation and capitalisation.
Whether bullet points should be capitalised depends on the context and the style guide you are using. Some sources recommend that bullet points should follow the same rules as regular sentences, where a capital letter typically marks the beginning of a sentence. This means that if your bullet points are complete sentences, you should capitalise the first letter and use ending punctuation.
On the other hand, some style guides suggest that bullet points should start with lowercase letters, especially if they are not complete sentences or if they follow a lead-in sentence. Additionally, if your bullet points are single words or short phrases, using capital letters for each item may look excessive.
It is also important to maintain consistency throughout your bullet points. This means using the same capitalisation and punctuation rules for each item in the list. However, you can emphasise certain words by italicising them, depending on readability.
When deciding how to capitalise your bullet points, consider the guidelines for the specific format or style you are following. For example, APA's Publication Manual prefers to introduce bullet points without any punctuation if the introductory language is not a complete sentence.
In informal settings, such as texts and tweets, a more free-form approach to capitalisation may be taken. However, in formal reports or academic papers, it is generally recommended to follow a consistent and standardised style for capitalisation and punctuation in bullet points.
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Numbered lists
When to Use Numbered Lists
Use a numbered list when the order of the items is significant. For example, if you are describing a step-by-step process or presenting a chronological sequence of events, a numbered list would be appropriate. Additionally, if your introductory text mentions a specific number of items, it's best to use a numbered list to fulfill that promise.
Punctuation and Capitalization
The punctuation and capitalization within a numbered list depend on the structure of the items. If each item in the list is a complete sentence, it should start with a capital letter and end with a period. However, if the items are not complete sentences or are simply phrases, you can omit the terminal punctuation.
Example of a Numbered List with Complete Sentences
- Each student will be able to identify and discuss the origins of major environmental problems facing society.
- Each student will be able to apply the principles of ecology and other natural sciences to these environmental issues.
- They will also be able to integrate concepts from the natural and social sciences in their analysis of these problems.
Example of a Numbered List with Phrases
- Environmental problems
- Ecological principles
- Integrating concepts
In the first example, each item is a complete sentence and thus requires proper capitalization and terminal punctuation. In the second example, the items are phrases, so there is no need for ending punctuation. Remember to be consistent within your list and choose the style that best suits your content.
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Consistency in punctuation
Consistency is key when it comes to punctuation in bullet points. Whether you are writing or typing a bullet list, you need to follow a specific set of punctuation rules.
Firstly, if your bullet points are complete sentences, you should add a period at the end. For example, if you are describing what you saw at a zoo, each bullet point forms a complete sentence and therefore requires a period:
> A lioness licked her cub's fur.
> A giraffe ate leaves off the tree.
> A polar bear walked into its cave.
Secondly, if your bullet points are not complete sentences, you can omit the period. For instance, if you are making a grocery shopping list, you would not need a period after each item:
> Apples
> Bananas
> Bread
Thirdly, when your bullet points are paired with an introductory clause to form complete sentences, add a period at the end of each bullet point. In this case, the bullet points are not capitalized, unless they are proper nouns.
> I always keep a few essentials in my bag, including: my phone, some cash, and a water bottle.
Finally, if your bullet points are a mix of full sentences and fragments, it is generally recommended to be consistent by including periods at the end of each bullet point. This ensures that your writing is clear and organized without distracting your reader with small, inconsistent details.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends. If the bullet point contains a sentence, you should add a period to the end of it just like you would with any other sentence. However, if the bullet points aren't complete sentences, you don't need to add periods to the end.
In this case, consistency is important. It's best to stick to one style throughout the document. You can choose to punctuate all bullet points or omit the periods, but make sure to follow the same style for all bullet points.
If the bullet point is a complete sentence or multiple sentences, use capital letters and punctuation. However, when pairing the bullet point with another clause, use lower-case for the first word unless it's a proper noun.
Yes, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, if the text introducing your list is a complete sentence, it should end with a colon. Secondly, use a numbered list if your action items need to be in a specific order or if your introductory text promises a certain number of items.
