May 16, 2018 2:58 pm
When you’re writing about a topic with lots of important points for readers to know, a bullet-point list can make a useful addition to your blog post or guest editorial. Such lists
Bullet-point lists can make reading easier for readers… but only if writers do them well. Written badly, a list can confuse rather than inform, and lead to distraction rather than focus. Consider, for example, a list like this, which
Let’s fix this bullet list by first putting all the items into a single sentence, like this:
Consider, for example, a list like this, which it doesn’t flow naturally from the introductory text mix and match tenses and voices some lists aren’t consistent from bullet point to bullet point don’t work when read as a sentence.
When written this way, the sentence’s mistakes become glaringly obvious:
So let’s try that example again, and correct the list’s mistakes:
Consider, for example, a list like this, which
Doesn’t work when read as a sentence.
Now, depending upon your house style, it’s not always necessary to separate bullet points by commas or to end lists with a full stop. It can be acceptable to write bullet lists without separating punctuation of any kind, or to present them as standalone content without any introductory text. However, by making sure your lists are always clear, consistent and grammatical from point to point, you’ll have a much better chance of writing copy that hits its intended target.
Tagged withSign up to our newsletters for either monthly or quarterly updates on all things tech and content marketing.