Structural elements are signposts for readers. Before they read your paragraphs, people will scan headings, tables, lists, images and links.
A successful structure supports:
- navigation
- readability
- understanding
- assistive technologies.
Let’s focus on bullet lists. They are everywhere in government writing, and
mastering their style will set you free. Well, it will help you to be consistent at least.
A list that is styled correctly is readable and conveys meaning concisely. But don’t overdo it. Too many lists will make readers feel like they’ve run an obstacle race.
Here are examples showing correct style for 3 types of bullet lists:
- sentence lists
- fragment lists
- stand-alone lists.
Sentence lists
They are named ‘sentence lists’ because each list item is a complete sentence. Each list item has an initial capital and a full stop.
| Correct styles | Description |
|---|---|
These hints will help your writing:
| Sentence lead-in with a colon |
These hints will help your writing.
| Sentence lead-in with a full stop |
To write well:
| Phrase lead-in with a colon |
Hints to help your writing
| Heading with no punctuation |
You can use any type of sentence in a sentence list. The list items above are all examples of positive ‘imperative’ sentences (see ‘Positive sentences’).
Fragment lists
They are named ‘fragment lists’ because each list item is a sentence fragment. The first word of each list item is in lower case, unless it’s a proper noun.
Only the final list item has a full stop.
| Correct styles | Description |
|---|---|
My cousin has a bucket list:
| Sentence lead-in with a colon First word of each list item is in lower case |
Visitors enjoy Ballarat’s natural attractions:
| Sentence lead-in with a colon First word of each list item is a proper noun |
Adelaide is famous for its:
| Phrase lead-in with a colon The phrase lead-in and each fragment must make a sentence:
Ensure each sentence is 25 words or fewer |
Stand-alone lists
They are named ‘stand-alone lists’ because they can stand independently. Brochures, display material and technical content often contain stand-alone lists.
Each list item has an initial capital and no full stop.
| Correct styles | Description |
|---|---|
Music Mag’s genres Trance House Techno | Heading with no punctuation (no lead-in) List items are words or phrases (not full sentences) List items don’t need indent or bullet |
Music Mag’s genres
| Use indent or bullet if it helps people scan |
Style Manual pages
- Lists
- Structuring content (section)
About this page
Last updated
This page was updated Thursday 19 December 2024.