can i use bullet points in a research paper

Bulleted Lists

To draw visual attention to items in a list without implying that items go in a certain order (e.g., chronology, importance, priority), use a bulleted list.

Use a numbered list if you want to display items in a numbered series. Use a lettered list if you want to emphasize separate parallel items within a sentence.

To create a bulleted list, use the bulleted list function of your word-processing program. This will automatically indent the list as well. Symbols such as small circles, squares, dashes, and so forth may be used for the bullets.

Bulleted lists are covered in the seventh edition APA Style manuals in the Publication Manual Section 6.52 and the Concise Guide Section 4.14

Items that are complete sentences

If bulleted items are complete sentences, begin each item with a capital letter and finish it with a period or other appropriate punctuation. The following example demonstrates this format as well as how to include a citation for the information in the bulleted list.

Infants often display prosocial behavior —that is, behavior intended to help others—when interacting with their parents, as demonstrated in the following examples (Hammond & Drummond, 2019):

• Infants are happy to participate in normal household chores, such as cleaning up.
• Infants often display positive emotions when following parents’ behavioral requests, such as not touching the stove.
• Infants will try to help others who seem like they need help with simple tasks, such as carrying multiple objects.

Items that are words or phrases

If bulleted items are words or phrases (but not complete sentences), begin each item with a lowercase letter ( except words such as proper nouns ).

There are two options for the punctuation of bulleted lists when the items are words or phrases. The following examples demonstrate both options as well as how to integrate in-text citations into bulleted lists.

The first option is to use no punctuation after the bulleted items (including the final one), which may be better when the items are shorter and simpler.

Poor sleep quality has been linked with the following symptoms:

• higher levels of negative mood
• physical symptoms such as insomnia
• use of medications
• persistent psychological distress (Glozier et al., 2010; Lund et al., 2010)

The second option is to insert punctuation after the bulleted items as though the bullets were not there, which may be better when the items are longer or more complex.

Young adults have many motivations for texting on their smartphones:

• social connection, in which people text as a way to connect with others;
• escapism, in which people text to get away from dull or uncomfortable situations such as waiting in line; 
• distraction, in which people text to distract themselves while having a conversation with someone or being in a meeting;
• audacity, in which people text to get a response from someone, such as to break up with them or ask them on a date;
• nurturing, in which people text to foster relationships by saying things like “good morning” or “I love you”; and
• driving, in which people text while in their vehicle (Schroeder & Sims, 2018).

Further information about bulleted lists is available in the Publication Manual , including how to format lists of definitions in a glossary.

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. ”

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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

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

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Answered By: Jonathan Faerber (he/him/his) Last Updated: Nov 04, 2021     Views: 175097

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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Can Research Paper Use Bullet Points: When & How to Use them

Bullet points in research paper

A research paper means that the writer will be doing extensive primary and secondary research to find out the required facts, statistics, and quotations and introduce insight. So, can a research paper contain bullet points?

Yes, bullet points help your paper flow better, especially in a research paper. A well-written and correctly formatted research paper must use bullet points to organize and present the introductory three paragraphs that introduce the topic being researched. Keep reading for additional insights.

Can Research Paper Use Bullet Points?

A research paper can use bullet points if they help in presenting the findings of the research or listing the objectives of the study. In addition, including bullet points in your writing might be helpful to structure your text or draw attention to certain aspects of the topic you are discussing.

However, do not over-use them in writing.

If it helps the reader understand what you are saying better or makes it easier for them to read long lists of data or statistics, then it is acceptable to use bullet points in a research paper.

Yes, you can use bullet points in a research paper. It is all about the way you write them.

Bullets, or dot points, are used in many contexts to present information.

When writing a research paper , you may find that you want to use bullet points to highlight the most important parts of your paper.

Bullet points can be effective in this context because they are easy to read, allow you to present lots of information quickly, and keep your reader on track.

Research papers follow a specific structure and format.

You need to start with a good introduction, then give the supporting evidence for your thesis, and present everything in a well-structured manner. The conclusion sums up everything that you have written and allows the reader to have a clear picture of what your research has been focused on.

A research paper contains several sections: an abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion. Each section is crucial and should be presented clearly and adequately organized by using headings or subheadings if necessary.

However, when using bullet points, make sure they follow the same grammatical structure as the rest of your text.

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How to Use Bullet Points in a Research Paper

Bullet points are a great way to organize your thoughts and help readers follow along. Writers sometimes use bullet points to list items because, in some cases, they can be more readable than an ordinary list of items.

For example, if there are three or more items in the list, the bullet points become easier to scan than a numbered list. The best approach is to observe the following:

1. Use Bullets for Shortlists

Bullets work best when you have three or more items on a list.

If your list is only one or two things long, consider rewriting your sentence not to require a list.

2. Use Bullets for Similar Ideas

Bullets work best when all of the items in the list are roughly equal in importance and length.

When your items differ significantly, using bullets can lead to confusion and make it harder for your reader to follow along.

3. Use Parallel Structure in your Bulleted Lists

Parallel structure is a grammatical term that uses the same structure in multiple parts of a sentence or paragraph.

In other words, if one item in your bullet list begins with a verb, all the different items should also begin with verbs; if one item is a phrase, all other items should also be phrases, etc.

How to Use Bullets

There are no fixed rules about how to use bullet points in academic writing, but here are some guidelines for their effective use:

• Only use bullet points when the order of the items listed is not essential. If a sequence or charge is needed, then use numbers instead.
• Do not start every sentence with a bullet point. This makes it look as though you cannot be bothered to write full sentences, and your work will appear sloppy., ,,, Use bullet points only when you have a list of two or more points; do not use them when introducing an individual issue (e.g., ‘The next topic is …’)
• If you have multiple levels of information (i.e., sub-points), use different bullets to differentiate between them.
• Indent all lines after the first line of each bullet point (similar to this paragraph). Do not add extra space between paragraphs.
• Use phrases rather than complete sentences within the bullet points. Do not add punctuation at the end unless it is necessary for clarity (e.g., an internal comma or colon).

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Importance of Using Bullet Points

Highlight Important Information

The key to using bullet points effectively is to ensure that they are consistent throughout your document and not overused.

Only use bullet points to clarify the material or help break up text and make it more readable.

Outline a Process

Bullet points are always used in conjunction with other paragraphs in papers, so they are not the paper’s main focus or a section of the paper. Because of this, they usually do not begin or end with a complete sentence.

The first word in a bullet point is usually capitalized, but the rest are lowercase unless proper nouns. Bullet points also use periods in the end to separate them.

Enhances Readability

It makes your paper more readable. It gives the readers a clear idea of what you are talking about without reading through long sentences and paragraphs of irrelevant information.

Mention items of Interest

Ensure that you include everything necessary for the paper. This consists of all items of interest and any extra things not mentioned in the paper’s main body. If you did not mention in the main body of the paper, then it should be appear in the reference section.

Highlight key Points

The importance of bullet points in research papers is to highlight the key points of your paper. In other words, it helps the reader to focus on the main topic and understand what you are discussing.

For example, if you were to write a paper about building a house, you would want to include bullet points to help the reader follow along with your construction process. In this article, we will discuss how bullet points can help you write your research paper.

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Instances When You Should Avoid Bullet Points in Research Paper

One of the most common ways to organize information in a document or presentation is through the use of bullet points. They are simple to read and easy to understand. However, they can also be overused. Here are several instances when you should avoid using bullet points in your research paper:

1. When You Are Not Sure How to Organize Your Points

The best way to keep track of your ideas is by using an outline. It helps you organize your thoughts into a clear and concise structure.

If you do not know how to write an outline, you should learn how before considering using bullet points in your paper.

2. When There Is No Clear Connection between Points

In general, bullet points are organized into groups that share a common theme or idea.

Using them willy-nilly with no particular order can make it difficult for the reader to follow what you are saying. Therefore, look for connections between ideas when writing a paper that uses bullet points.

3. When Your Paper Does Not Have an Introduction and Conclusion

Bullet points should occur as part of a larger argument or point made in a research paper. You can check how to present an argumentative research paper and learn the issue of points in a paper.

If no introduction or conclusion is tying those points together, then it will be difficult for the reader to follow along with what you are saying.

When not handling complex essays and academic writing tasks, Josh is busy advising students on how to pass assignments. In spare time, he loves playing football or walking with his dog around the park.

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Bullet Points in Research Paper

Learn how to effectively use bullet points in a research paper. Enhance readability, highlight key points, and organize your content.

Incorporating bullet points in research papers can significantly enhance readability and organization, particularly when presenting complex information. Bullet points serve as a practical tool to break down detailed data into digestible segments, making it easier for readers to follow your argument and absorb key points. In academic articles, bullet points can provide quick overviews and help organize material effectively. By providing clear, concise summaries, bullet points can highlight essential elements without overwhelming the audience with dense paragraphs. Scientific writing has specific requirements for clarity and structure, making the use of bullet points even more crucial. In this guide, we will explore the effective use of bullet points in research papers, discussing best practices and common pitfalls to avoid. Discover how to leverage bullet points to make your research paper more engaging and accessible.

Introduction to Bullet Points

Importance of bullet points.

Bullet points play a crucial role in research papers by streamlining complex information and presenting it in a more organized manner. They help to break down intricate data sets, theories, or arguments into smaller, more manageable pieces. This not only aids in the clarity of your paper but also ensures that readers can easily follow and understand the main points. Moreover, bullet points can quickly draw attention to essential facts or conclusions, making it easier for readers to identify key takeaways. Well-designed bullet points can attract the reader’s attention when skimming a document, helping them to quickly absorb multiple subtopics. By incorporating bullet points, you can enhance the overall readability of your research, ensuring that your audience remains engaged and retains more information. This method is especially beneficial when dealing with lengthy or detailed sections that might otherwise overwhelm readers if presented in a continuous block of text. Additionally, using bullet points is a valuable strategy for writing professional and interesting academic papers, as it improves the structure and visibility of the text.

When to Use Bullet Points

Knowing when to use bullet points in a research paper is essential to maximize their effectiveness. Bullet points are particularly useful when you need to list multiple items, such as research findings, hypotheses, or key arguments. They are also effective for presenting step-by-step procedures, summarizing complex ideas, or highlighting important facts and statistics. When dealing with long paragraphs that contain several key points, breaking them down into bullet points can make the information more accessible. Following specific guidelines and rules for using bullet lists in academic writing is crucial to ensure clarity and proper formatting.

Using bullet points can also help reduce word count and make the content more succinct, attracting the reader’s attention when skimming a document. However, it is important to use bullet points sparingly to avoid cluttering your paper. Overuse can diminish their impact and make your document look unprofessional. Therefore, reserve bullet points for sections where they can significantly enhance clarity and comprehension, ensuring that your research remains well-structured and reader-friendly.

Bullet Points in Academic Papers

Incorporating bullet points in research papers can significantly improve both the presentation and absorption of information. A well-structured bullet point list, with careful consideration for capitalization, punctuation, and consistency, is especially useful in sections such as literature reviews, methodology, and results, where complex data and numerous details must be communicated clearly. They allow you to summarise literature sources, outline procedural steps, or list significant findings concisely. This concise format helps readers quickly grasp the main points without wading through dense paragraphs. Moreover, bullet points can aid in structuring your argument logically, making it easier for readers to follow your reasoning. List items should be distinct from each other; for example, if the 3rd list item is closely related to the 2nd list item, it should be combined or omitted. It is crucial, however, to ensure that each bullet point is concise and directly relevant to the topic at hand. Unnecessary details should be avoided to maintain the effectiveness and clarity of your list. By thoughtfully using bullet points, you can enhance the readability and impact of your research paper, ensuring that your key messages are communicated effectively.

Formatting Bullet Points

Consistent style and structure.

Maintaining a consistent style and structure for bullet points in your research paper is vital for coherence and readability. Consistency ensures that your document looks professional and that the information is easily digestible. Start by choosing a uniform bullet style, such as dots, dashes, or numbers, and stick with it throughout your paper to ensure a consistent format. Each bullet point should begin with a capital letter for uniformity and readability. Additionally, keep the length of each bullet point similar; short and concise is usually best. Sentence structure in bullet-point lists is crucial to make the content easier to scan. Avoid mixing full sentences with fragments within the same list. If you use full sentences, punctuate them properly. On the other hand, if you use fragments, omit the final punctuation. This uniformity helps readers focus on the content rather than getting distracted by inconsistent formatting. By adhering to a consistent style and structure, you can enhance the clarity and professionalism of your research paper.

Numbered Lists vs Unnumbered Lists

Choosing between numbered and unnumbered lists depends on the context and purpose of your bullet points in the research paper. Numbered lists are ideal when the order of items is critical, such as step-by-step procedures or ranking of importance. They help readers follow a specific sequence and understand the hierarchy of the points being made. For instance, when outlining the methodology of an experiment, a numbered list can clearly convey the sequence of actions to be taken.

A run-in list, which is included as part of the general text, can be separated in different ways, such as using a colon or numbering the items within the list.

Unnumbered lists, on the other hand, are suitable for presenting items where order does not matter. They are useful for listing related points, characteristics, or examples without implying any particular sequence. For example, when summarizing multiple findings or literature sources, unnumbered lists can present the information in an organized manner without suggesting any precedence. By choosing the appropriate type of list, you can enhance the readability and logical flow of your research paper.

Length and Clarity

The length and clarity of bullet points are crucial for maintaining the effectiveness of your research paper. Each bullet point should be concise, ideally no longer than one or two lines. Brevity ensures that key points are communicated quickly without overwhelming the reader. Avoid lengthy sentences and complex language; instead, use simple, direct wording to convey your message. Each point should be specific and directly related to the main topic, avoiding any unnecessary details that could distract from the core information.

Clarity is equally important. Use precise language and make sure each bullet point is easily understood at a glance. Ambiguity can confuse readers and diminish the impact of your points. If a concept requires further explanation, consider whether it is better suited to a full paragraph rather than a bullet point. By focusing on length and clarity, you ensure that your bullet points effectively highlight critical information, making your research paper more engaging and accessible.

Enhancing Readability

Breaking down complex information.

Breaking down complex information into bullet points can significantly enhance the readability of your research paper. It is important to use a complete sentence as the lead-in line for a list. When faced with intricate data, theories, or lengthy explanations, bullet points allow you to present the information in manageable chunks. This segmentation helps readers to digest and retain the material more efficiently. Instead of navigating through dense paragraphs, readers can quickly scan bullet points to grasp the essential points.

For example, if you are presenting the results of a multifaceted study, bullet points can summarise key findings, making it easier for readers to understand the outcomes without getting lost in elaborate details. Additionally, bullet points can highlight specific aspects of a theory or model, providing clear and concise explanations. This approach not only makes your paper more accessible but also ensures that the critical information stands out, helping your audience to focus on the most important elements of your research. By breaking down complex information, you enhance both comprehension and engagement.

Visual Appeal and Spacing

The visual appeal and spacing of bullet points play a crucial role in enhancing the readability of your research paper. Proper spacing between bullet points ensures that each point stands out clearly, preventing the text from appearing cluttered. Adequate white space around bullet points makes the content more inviting and easier to navigate, allowing readers to quickly find and understand the information. Best practices for writing and formatting bulleted lists include tips for consistent punctuation usage and adjusting indents and spacing to make the list visually appealing and easy to scan.

In addition to spacing, the alignment and indentation of bullet points contribute to a clean and organised appearance. Consistent indentation helps maintain a structured look, making the document appear more professional. Furthermore, using bullet points with a simple design, such as dots or dashes, avoids visual distractions and keeps the focus on the content.

Incorporating headings or subheadings above groups of bullet points can also improve visual appeal by breaking up the text and providing context. By paying attention to visual appeal and spacing, you can make your research paper more reader-friendly and engaging.

Using Bullet Points for Emphasis

Using bullet points for emphasis can significantly enhance the impact of your research paper. Bullet points naturally draw the reader’s eye, making them an effective tool for highlighting crucial information, key findings, or important arguments. When you want to ensure that certain points are not overlooked, presenting them in a bulleted format can make them stand out from the surrounding text.

For instance, summarising critical results or pivotal conclusions in bullet points can underscore their importance, ensuring that readers pay special attention. Additionally, bullet points can be used to emphasize comparisons, contrasts, or lists of advantages and disadvantages, making these elements more conspicuous and easier to follow.

However, to maintain their effectiveness, use bullet points judiciously. Overemphasizing too many points can dilute their impact and make the document appear cluttered. By strategically using bullet points for emphasis, you can enhance the clarity and persuasiveness of your research paper, guiding readers to focus on the most significant aspects of your work.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overuse of bullet points.

While bullet points can enhance readability and organisation, overusing them in your research paper can be counterproductive. Excessive use of bullet points can make your document appear fragmented and unstructured, detracting from the flow of your narrative. When too many points are bulleted, the reader may struggle to see the connections between them, leading to confusion and a lack of cohesion in your argument.

Moreover, overloading your paper with bullet points can diminish their impact. If every other paragraph is a list, the emphasis intended by using bullet points is lost. To avoid this, use bullet points selectively, reserving them for sections where they genuinely add value by improving clarity and highlighting key information.

Balance is key; combine bullet points with well-written paragraphs to maintain a smooth and engaging flow. By avoiding the overuse of bullet points, you can ensure that your research paper remains coherent, impactful, and professional.

Inconsistent Formatting

Inconsistent formatting of bullet points can undermine the professionalism and readability of your research paper. Variations in bullet styles, indentation, or punctuation can distract readers and disrupt the flow of information. For example, mixing dots and dashes or alternating between full sentences and fragments within the same list can create confusion and make your document appear disorganised.

To avoid these issues, establish and adhere to a consistent formatting style for your bullet points. Choose one type of bullet (e.g., dots, dashes, or numbers) and stick with it throughout the paper. Ensure that each bullet point follows the same structure, either using complete sentences with appropriate punctuation or fragments without end punctuation.

Additionally, maintain uniform indentation and spacing for all bullet points to enhance visual appeal and clarity. Consistent formatting not only makes your research paper easier to read but also conveys a sense of meticulousness and attention to detail. By avoiding inconsistent formatting, you can produce a more polished and professional research document.

Irrelevant Information

Including irrelevant information in your bullet points can dilute the effectiveness of your research paper. Bullet points are meant to highlight key points and essential information, so adding extraneous details can overwhelm readers and obscure the main message. Irrelevant information can lead to confusion and distract from the critical points you aim to communicate.

To avoid this mistake, carefully evaluate the content of each bullet point. Ensure that every item directly relates to the main topic or argument you are addressing. If a piece of information does not add value or clarify your point, it is best left out. Aim for precision and relevance, focusing on the most significant aspects that support your research.

By keeping your bullet points concise and relevant, you maintain the clarity and impact of your paper. This approach not only enhances readability but also ensures that your audience can easily follow and understand the core elements of your research.

Practical Examples and Tips

Effective bullet points in action.

To illustrate effective bullet points in action, consider a section summarising key findings of a study on climate change. Instead of a dense paragraph, use bullet points to highlight the main results:

• Temperature Increase : Global temperatures have risen by 1.2°C over the past century.
• Sea Level Rise : Average sea levels have increased by 20 centimetres in the last 50 years.
• Glacial Retreat : Significant glacial melting has been observed in both polar regions.
• Extreme Weather Events : There has been a 30% increase in the frequency of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and heatwaves.

These bullet points are concise, directly relevant, and formatted consistently, making it easy for readers to grasp the critical findings at a glance. Each point uses clear and straightforward language, ensuring that even those unfamiliar with the topic can understand the main conclusions. By employing bullet points in this manner, you enhance the readability and impact of your research, making your key points stand out effectively.

Editing and Revising Bullet Points

Editing and revising bullet points is crucial to ensure they are clear, concise, and effective. Start by reviewing each bullet point to verify its relevance and alignment with the main topic. Remove any redundant or irrelevant information that could distract from the key message.

Next, focus on clarity. Make sure each bullet point is easily understandable at a glance. Use simple and direct language, avoiding jargon and overly complex sentences. If necessary, rephrase points to enhance readability.

Consistency is another important aspect. Check that each bullet point follows the same structure and style, whether that means using full sentences or fragments. Ensure uniform punctuation and indentation for a polished appearance.

Finally, consider the overall flow and organisation. Arrange bullet points logically, so that they build upon each other coherently. By meticulously editing and revising your bullet points, you can significantly improve the clarity and impact of your research paper, making it more engaging and accessible for your readers.

Final Checklist for Bullet Points

Before finalizing your research paper, run through a checklist to ensure your bullet points are as effective as possible:

• Relevance : Verify that each bullet point directly relates to the main topic or argument.
• Clarity : Ensure each point is easily understandable, using clear and straightforward language.
• Conciseness : Keep points brief and to the point, avoiding unnecessary details.
• Consistency : Check for uniform formatting, including bullet style, indentation, and punctuation.
• Logical Order : Arrange bullet points in a logical sequence that enhances the flow of information.
• Impact : Assess whether the bullet points highlight the most critical aspects of your research, ensuring key messages stand out.
• Visual Appeal : Make sure there is adequate spacing between bullet points for a clean and organized appearance.

By following this checklist, you can enhance the readability, coherence, and professionalism of your research paper, ensuring that your bullet points effectively communicate the essential information to your audience.

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Content tags

The complexities of academic writing are an uncontestable part of scientific research and reporting. But it’s up to the author to build the reader’s comprehension of the thought processes and methodology behind the experiment, from inception to outcome. To do this, it’s expected that a lot of specialized terminology is used, data is analyzed and explained, and other higher-level writing is included in the content.

As the author puts together the article with the intent of publishing it towards a wide audience, they have to consider what they are saying, how they are saying it, and how they are setting it up in the paper. Too much content put together without breaks for the brain to pause and consider what was read makes it difficult for the reader to understand the writing, no matter how simplistic it is. With structural tools like bulleted lists and numbering, the reader’s comprehension of your work can be improved, and it doesn’t take much from you to get the job done.

Separating Your Work With Bullets and Numbers

It’s common in academic articles to see bullets and numbers used to organize the content inside the document. Sometimes they are given to help the reader see what they can expect in the upcoming section; sometimes they’re used to separate items in a listing manner. Regardless of the reason for the bullets or numbers, they must be consistent and formatted according to the proper style of your paper.

Some of the most common list types include:

●      Run-ins, used as part of the text but separated with colons to show a list is the following part of the sentence. Without the colon designating the continued thought, the list itself ends up as a fragment.

●      Run-ins, also used as part of the text but separated by numbers instead of a colon.

●      Vertical lists to separate a long sentence instead of following the thought with a run-in list. In these lists, there is no need for bullets or ending punctuation as long as the leading sentence is complete. However, if the list entries finish the leading thought as complete sentences, do use bullets and punctuation.

●      Vertical lists with numbers and letters similar to an outline format can break up a complicated set of information by following a leading sentence.

No matter which way you choose to separate your text, be sure you’re following the proper style guide for the journal you are publishing with.

How to Use Bullets the Right Way

There are some guidelines to using bullets and numbered lists besides following the style requirements. You also need to make sure you’re limiting your bullets to only the key points you want to separate. Don’t overuse them or it makes your paper look unprofessional and detracts from the importance of the lists you want the reader to truly comprehend.

Bullets and numbers can be used with listings, examples, or to shorten a complex description. They’re also good for added support with details, to designate steps in a process, to give a list of parts or ingredients, and to define terms.

However, you should never use bullets or numbers of any kind in your thesis statement, introduction, or conclusion. They don’t work as hooks, and shouldn’t be used in quotes.

In general, bulleted lists should account for no more than one-quarter of your entire paper, and that’s pushing the limit. In some cases, a sub-paragraph might be a better choice.

Switching to Sub-Paragraphs Instead

Bullets are great to help the reader comprehend some parts of your paper. However, a sub-paragraph might be the way to go if you have a topic that is overly lengthy and complex. Sub-paragraphs are broken down underneath a smaller header and each paragraph has its own main idea and supporting details that cover the main topic in the section.

Sub-paragraphs work best when you have to give a lot of data or details but you’re talking about one major topic.

Both bullets and sub-paragraphs are common ways to break down a paper, and, when used right, they show your knowledge as an author.

• Afghanistan
• Åland Islands
• American Samoa
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
• Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Bouvet Island
• British Indian Ocean Territory
• Brunei Darussalam
• Burkina Faso
• Cayman Islands
• Central African Republic
• Christmas Island
• Cocos (Keeling) Islands
• Congo (Democratic Republic of the)
• Cook Islands
• Côte d'Ivoire
• Curacao !Curaçao
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
• Faroe Islands
• French Guiana
• French Polynesia
• French Southern Territories
• Guinea-Bissau
• Heard Island and McDonald Islands
• Iran (Islamic Republic of)
• Isle of Man
• Korea (Democratic Peoples Republic of)
• Korea (Republic of)
• Lao People's Democratic Republic
• Liechtenstein
• Marshall Islands
• Micronesia (Federated States of)
• Moldova (Republic of)
• Netherlands
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand
• Norfolk Island
• North Macedonia
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Palestine, State of
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Puerto Rico
• Russian Federation
• Saint Barthélemy
• Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Martin (French part)
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• Sint Maarten (Dutch part)
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
• South Sudan
• Svalbard and Jan Mayen
• Switzerland
• Syrian Arab Republic
• Tanzania, United Republic of
• Timor-Leste
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turkmenistan
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• United States of America
• United States Minor Outlying Islands
• Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
• Virgin Islands (British)
• Virgin Islands (U.S.)
• Wallis and Futuna
• Western Sahara

Writing Clear Science

Learn to write clearly and succinctly, without sacrificing the accuracy of your topic..

How to structure bullet point lists

What are bullet point lists?

When lists are presented with one list item per line, following an indented marker or symbol. they are commonly referred to as ‘bullet points’ or ‘bulleted lists’. Bullet point lists are widely used in science report writing but are rarely used in peer-reviewed journal articles (primarily due to save space).

What is the purpose of bullet points lists?

Bullet point lists are generally used for unnumbered and unordered lists and allow information to stand out separately from paragraphs and other surrounding text. Well-designed bullet points help attract the reader's attention when skimming a document and help them to quickly absorb multiple subtopics.

Making sure that bullet points are structured correctly also helps writers to clarify their thinking. Bullet point lists avoid the need to force a sentence or paragraph to contain lengthy and unwieldy lists. They allow the writer to be more succinct as the repetition needed to link connected sentences within a paragraph can be removed. They can also help to reduce the word count if the list is composed of simple phrases or sentence fragments rather than complete sentences.

The problems with the use of bullet point lists

Many writers are unsure how to structure bullet point lists and use them incorrectly. Some writers use paragraphs when they could have used bullet points and some overuse bullet points instead of writing paragraphs. Some writers haphazardly throw all types of information into bullet points, making them difficult to read. Therefore, guidelines are necessary.

When and how should bullet point lists be used?

There are different ways to structure bullet points. However, ensuring consistency and clarity of meaning is crucial. Two common questions I’m asked are, “ Should bullet points be capitalised ?’ and “ Should bullet points be followed with commas or semi-colons ?” My answer to both is, that it depends on what you are writing and how your structure your introductory elements and list items. An introductory element is the use of a phrase, sentence fragment or complete sentence to introduce the bullet point list.

1. Bullet point lists are introduced with a phrase, a sentence fragment or a complete sentence (introductory element). 

The introductory element is usually followed by a colon (See Example 1).

The following is a brief overview of:

- my understanding about the broad types of software tools on offer.

- how different pricing models influence my choice of tools.

- the current software tools I regularly use for writing, teaching and managing my training consultancy.

- what to keep in mind when searching for good software tools.

(from ‘ FAQ: What software tools do I use for writing and teaching ?’)

2. Each list member must logically complete the meaning conveyed in the introductory element .

As Example 1 is introduced with a sentence fragment (‘ The following is a brief overview of: ’) each list item must form a grammatically-correct complete sentence when combined with it. For example, the second list item would be read as: “ The following is a brief overview of how different pricing models influence my choice of tools .” This is why the first word of each list item is not capitalised and why full stops are used at the end of each list item.

It is very common for writers to avoid this important guideline and not check to see if each list item logically follows on from the introductory element. An incorrect way to represent the information in Example 1 would be as follows:

Hypothetical (incorrect) Example 2

- Includes a current list of software tools I regularly use for writing, teaching and managing my training consultancy .

- Also some tips to keep in mind when searching for the good software tools.

The last two list items, although still relating to the topic, do not follow on from the introductory element. For example, the 3rd list item would read, “ The following is a brief overview of Include a current list of software tools I regularly use for writing, teaching and managing my training consultancy . ” This does not make sense.

3. If an i ntroductory element stands alone as a heading, it doesn’t need any punctuation (see Example 3 below). 

- Plans are not meant to be perfect but act as a guide to your thinking and a framework to further develop the project you are working on.

- Keep all versions of your plans for future reference or to use as templates for future projects.

- Ask colleagues for feedback on your plans as well as your document drafts.

 (from ‘ The essentials of science writing: plan before you write ’ )

4. If the bullet points are composed of complete sentences, they should be each be treated as a normal sentence with capitalisation and terminal punctuation (e.g. full stop, question mark) (see Example 3 above).

5. Consistency is crucial:

- Use the same symbol or marker for your bullet points throughout your document.

- Although you may have different types (structures) of bullet point lists within the same document, all list items within a bullet point list should be the same format: all phrases, all sentence fragments or all complete sentences.

This is another reason why Example 3 is incorrect as the 3rd point is a complete sentence, while the 4th point is a sentence fragment and both are dissimilar in structure to the first two points.

6. Bullet point lists items that are phrases or sentence fragments need no punctuation (see Example 4 below).

Common writing problems often reflect that a writer has not thoroughly considered who their audience is, or what they need. This can cause the following problems:

- providing too much (or not enough) detail or background information

- providing too much detail on unrelated sub-topics or on a well-known topic

- using the wrong language or unfamiliar terminology

- assuming the audience ’s level of interest in, or understanding of, the topic

(from How to identify your target audience ,)

7. Ensure that your list items are distinct from each other (compare examples 5 & 6).

An example of distinct list items:

I agreed to the following decisions:

- the start date of the project.

- that the consultation committee have a  maximum of five registered members .

- the due date of the first stage of the report.

An example of indistinct list items:

- how different pricing models influence the way I research software tools.

In this example, the 3 rd list item is closely related to the 2 nd list item, so I would either combine them all leave point 3 out.

8. The list items can be presented in any order. If they must be presented in a certain order, they should be numbered and considered a ‘numbered list’ and not a bullet point list (See example 7).

Example 7 .

Example of a numbered list

Steps to complete your enrolment:

• Read the terms and conditions.
• Download and complete the application form
• Email the application form to [email protected]
• Follow instructions in enrolment notification email.

9. Use commas or semi-colons at the end of each list item if you are presenting a list as though it was part of an entire sentence (see Examples 8 and 9). 

Hypothetical Example 8 (with commas)

The site contained the following species:

- Eucalyptus saligna,

- Eucalyptus siderophloia,

- Eucalyptus oreades and

- Eucalyptus regen s.

As a complete sentence this would be written as “ The site contained the following species: Eucalyptus saligna, Eucalyptus siderophloia, Eucalyptus oreades and Eucalyptus regen s.”

This type of bullet point list could also make a complicated list easier to read than if it was written in a sentence (see Example 8).

Hypothetical Example 9 (with semi-colons)

- Acacia daviesioides (over 3 dozen seedlings);

- Acacia glaucoptera (3 shrubs);

- Acacia incurve (over 1000 small to medium shrubs);

- Eucalyptus saligna (over 200 seedlings);

- Eucalyptus siderophloia (one large tree and 3 saplings);

- Eucalyptus oreades (six saplings) and

- Eucalyptus regen s (over 300 trees).

As a complete sentence this example would be written as “ The site contained the following species: Acacia daviesioides (over 3 dozen seedlings); Acacia glaucoptera (3 shrubs); Acacia incurve (over 1000 small to medium shrubs); Eucalyptus saligna (over 200 seedlings); Eucalyptus siderophloia (one large tree and 3 saplings); Eucalyptus oreades (six saplings) and Eucalyptus regens (over 300 trees).

If you find you are writing these types of sentences or bullet point lists, depending on the type of document you are writing, it might be better to use tables instead.

© Dr Marina Hurley 2021 www.writingclearscience.com.au

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How to do a seriation in an APA paper? Bulleted lists, numbered lists, etc.?

How do you include a list or a series of points in your paper? 

APA has rules on how to present lists to help the reader see the organization of key elements within sections, paragraphs and/or sentences in a paper. When using seriated lists, choose terms or phrases that are similar or in parallel throughout the list.

APA allows for three types of seriated lists:

• Lettered lists
• Numbered lists
• Bulleted lists

 Each is identified and given in the examples below:

Lettered Lists

Use a lettered list when you want to present a series within a sentence.  Each item is preceded with a letter within parentheses.  Note that this form or seriation may not draw as much of the reader's attention as a bulleted or numbered list.  

The study tested three groups of students: (a) children who attended a publicly funded pre-K program, (b) children who attended a privately funded pre-K program, and (c) children who did not attend a pre-K program.

Numbered Lists

Use numbered lists to display complete sentences or paragraphs in a series. 

The survey included the following questions:

1. What pre-reading strategies were covered in the session before the assessment?

2. Did the pre-reading strategy training improve performance on the assessment?

3. What outcomes were achieved through the pre-reading strategy training?

NOTE : Some may interpret items in a numbered list to be presented in order of importance.

Bulleted Lists

In some situations, a numbered list may give the impression that one item in the list is more important than another; a bulleted list may be preferable.  

Note: If you are reproducing, quoting, or paraphrasing a list taken from a source, the citation would appear at the end of the last item.  (APA 6th edition rules included a semicolon after each item in the list and a period following the last item listed.  APA 7th edition has removed all punctuation in the list.) Two variations on how that type of citation might look are below:

Example of a bulleted list presented as phrases:

Elisabeth Kulber-Ross is widely credited with identifying five stages of grief that many people go through when facing a terminal illness:

• acceptance (Hebert, Moore & Rooney, 2011, para. 9)

Hebert, Moore, and Rooney (2011) indicate that Elisabeth Kulber-Ross is widely credited with identifying five stages of grief that many people go through when facing a terminal illness:

• acceptance (para. 9)

Example of a bulleted list presented as sentences

Follow these steps to successfully search a library database:

• Develop a list of terms that describe the concepts you want expressed in an article.
• Combine the search terms with Boolean connectors by using the OR connector to link synonyms and the AND connector to connect concepts.
• Perform a search and modify the search statement to find desired results.

Example of a bulleted list that contains both phrases and sentences

SMART is a popular method for setting personal goals because well-written goals:

• Specific:  have a clear and high-specific end point.
• Measurable:  can be tracked.
• Attainable:  are realistic.
• Relevant: are in agreement with the organizational goals.
• Time-Bound: have a specific timeframe.

Here is a chart from APA that will help you pick which type of seriation to use:

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

Hebert, K., Moore, H., & Rooney, J. (2011). The nurse advocate in end-of-life care.  The Ochsner Journal, (11) 4, 325-329.

• General Education & Other
• Last Updated Feb 23, 2021
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• Answered By Suzanne Schriefer, Librarian

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Questions may be answered by a Librarian, Learning Services Coordinator, Instructor, or Tutor. 

Vertical Lists, Bullets

Q. A vertical list lettered with “a.,” “b.,” “c.,” etc. (using periods after each letter) is provided in a document. Later on in the write-up, I reference this list with the sentence, “[Name] has managed projects that cover items a through f.” Do “a” and “f” require some kind of punctuation or special treatment?

A. To refer to a lettered list item, you can normally use italics regardless of how the letters are punctuated in the list itself. For example, you could refer to item a or, if the letters in the list are capitals, item A . This is an application of the rule about using italics to refer to letters as letters (see CMOS 7.64 ). To refer to a number, on the other hand, use regular type regardless of whether the numerals are arabic or roman: item 1, item I, item i.

But if the letters or numbers in the list are in parentheses, then you can use parentheses in the text: item (a), item (i). One advantage of this approach is that lowercase letters and roman numerals in particular are easier to read when placed in parentheses. Whichever choice you make, be consistent.

[This answer relies on the 17th edition of CMOS (2017) unless otherwise noted.]

Q. When a vertical list is introduced by a phrase (rather than a complete sentence), how is it punctuated?

A. Chicago recommends punctuating a phrase that introduces a list as if the list were a continuation of a sentence begun by the introductory phrase. This holds true whether the list is run into the text or presented vertically:

The items included bananas, pears, and grapes.

The items included

bananas pears grapes

Many writers would add a colon after “included”—especially in the example with the vertical list, whose structure seems to warrant it. But a colon would separate the verb “include” from the objects it introduces.

To avoid that problem, add “the following” or otherwise reword the introduction so that it becomes an independent clause:

The items included the following:

or, for example,

The bag included three varieties of fruit:

See CMOS 6.130 for more examples and information.

Q. Which of the following is correct to introduce a list?

1. My service includes: 2. My service includes

Should the colon be used after the word “includes”? From my understanding, a colon should not be used after a verb (or a preposition). Also, the sentence “My service includes” is not a complete sentence by itself.

A. You are right. “My service includes” is not grammatically complete, because the transitive verb “includes” is missing a direct object. If you wrote “My service includes the following,” a colon should follow.

Q. What is the proper way to punctuate or structure a bulleted list of items that ends with “and much more!”? Thank you!

A. “And much more” can be the last item in the list, or it can be the first words of a paragraph that continues after the list. Punctuate the items as you would a list in running text. For guidelines on punctuating different kinds of lists, please see CMOS 6.127–32 .

Q. I am evaluating annual reports for a large business, and have been unable to find the answer to my question of when to write numbers as words and when to use numerals when they begin the items in vertical (bulleted) lists. For example: sixty-nine people chose . . . or 69 people chose . . . Which is the correct choice? I would certainly appreciate your answering my question and I have no understanding of the reason this issue isn’t discussed in information concerning vertical lists.

A. Often when an issue is not discussed in CMOS it’s because it calls for common sense and flexibility rather than a one-size-fits-all rule. Our hope is that users can apply guidelines from other sections and use their judgment. At the beginning of chapter 9 you can find guidelines for spelling out numbers. For a vertical list, weigh the options: Are the listed items sentences, which read better with spelled-out numbers at the beginning? Are all the numbers at the beginning of a sentence? Can they be moved? Are there big, nonround numbers like 345 and 6,712, which are awkward to spell out? Look at your text and decide what style works best for making your lists readable. If numerals work best for some lists and words for other lists, you might decide that consistency need not be a goal except within a given list.

Q. I have a question about bulleted lists and capitalization. I’ve always written lists with the first word capitalized and then subsequent words, not (unless proper nouns of course). A colleague believes that every word other than prepositions or conjunctions should be capitalized.

—No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives

—No Artificial Colors, Flavors, or Preservatives

I can’t seem to find a “rule” on this. Any help?

A. When a colleague wants to do something you find bizarre, the burden is on her to produce the rule. After all, CMOS doesn’t have the space to write “Don’t do this; don’t do that” with regard to every possibility. Meanwhile, you might point out that none of the examples of lists or outlines in CMOS 6.127–32 show headline-style capitalization of the items.

Q. When creating an outline for a research paper, does each object in the list regardless of hierarchy need to be a complete sentence?

A. In Chicago style, outline entries should be grammatically parallel whether they are all sentences or all fragments. However, your professor or thesis adviser might have rules that diverge from Chicago style, so it’s best to ask.

Q. I’m an editor for a training department. In our instructional material we often have long lists of objectives. Using Chicago’s standard for vertical lists ( CMOS 6.130 ) makes them a little hard to read. Do you have an alternate suggestion? The instructional designers feel that it takes away from the meaning of the objectives when we reword the lead-in to be a complete sentence. For example, they don’t like “At the completion of this module you will complete the following.” They don’t like it because instructionally you’re not always “completing” something. Other ideas?

A. The instructional designers are reasonable to object to a sentence that sounds redundant and doesn’t accurately reflect what follows, whether it’s complete or not. Your job is to write the sentence so it works for them (as elegant and accurate) and for you (as a complete sentence). Ask them to supply the wording that satisfies them most by giving them a template with a blank or some multiple choices, such as “The following are (objectives? tasks? goals?) for this module:” or “Here are some topics you’ll explore:” and see if that makes them happy.

Q. I do not believe it makes sense to use a bulleted list of one item. If it is just one item, should it not simply be a paragraph? At the end of many of our sections in an advocacy guide we have “Advocacy Reminders.” Sometimes there are many; sometimes there is only one reminder. It seems to me if there is one reminder it should be a paragraph.

A. Although logically a list should have more than one item, bullets are more forgiving, especially if throughout a book like yours, reminders are formatted in a special section the same way in every chapter. The visual cue of the identical formatting would override a quibble about the logic of a single bullet point. Your bullets can be considered more like decorations than hierarchy markers.

Q. Is it ever okay to start a list with a sentence ending in a period instead of a colon? (“To determine the answer, use the following concepts.”) Does it matter if the list is set off by bullets or that the typesetting is different (by color or font, etc.)? What is the preferred method if both ways are correct? What if it is not a complete sentence? I appreciate the response. Me and a fellow copy editor are at odds.

A. Chicago’s preference is to use a colon, but there are times when a period might better serve. Please see CMOS for details on how to punctuate vertical lists and for examples that include sentences and sentence fragments. If you use a period, the list items should begin with capital letters. (P.S. I am averting my eyes from “Me and a fellow copy editor are at odds”—please tell me that this is just your fun email-writing style, or if it isn’t, that you aren’t editing anything important to our national security.)

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MLA Formatting Lists 

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Note: This page is new and reflects added guidance published in the latest version of the MLA Handbook (i.e., MLA 9).

Though they should be used sparingly, lists are a great way to convey information in an easily digestible and recognizable format. Lists are either integrated into the prose or set vertically, dependent on the list’s purpose and the amount of information presented.

INTEGRATED INTO THE PROSE

 Lists that are integrated into the text can be introduced by text itself:

        Baldwin was known for his astute sociological observations, meticulously crafted sentences, and decidedly metropolitan dialogue.

Or they can be introduced with a colon:

       Baldwin was known, mainly, for three things: his astute sociological observations, meticulously crafted sentences, and decidedly metropolitan dialogue.

SET VERTICALLY

 There are a number of ways to properly format a vertically set list. Numbered lists should only be used when the nature of the list necessitates a specific order.

LISTS INTRODUCED BY A COMPLETE SENTENCE

Lists can be introduced by a sentence in the body, which should end with a colon. The items can be complete sentences or fragments. The first letter of each list-item must be capitalized if the items are complete sentences. Each sentence requires punctuation.

Keeping with Cabral’s teachings, we must ask the following questions while interacting with social issues:

       Do our solutions consider the stated needs of the community we are speaking for?

       Do we have a clear strategy?

       Do we have realistic expectations?

If the items are not complete sentences, they should be bulleted or numbered. These should also be introduced with a colon at the end of a sentence. In both formats, begin each item in lowercase. Bulleted items do not require punctuation. Numbered items, beyond their respective numbers, should follow the same guidelines as a list-item that continues the sentence that introduces it (detailed below).

LISTS THAT CONTINUE THE SENTENCES THAT INTRODUCED THEM

Some sentences can be stratified into vertically-set lists. These lists should be considered, technically, as one single sentence. Do not introduce the list with a colon. Simply begin the sentence as you normally would and then format each item onto a separate line. End each item with a semicolon, closing the second-to-last item with a semicolon, followed by the word “and” or the word “or”. End the final item with the closing punctuation of the sentence.

Several health-food stores are focusing on customer safety by

       requiring that essential oil manufacturers include skin irritation warnings on their bottles;

       documenting the temperature of all frozen produce upon arrival; and

       performing all mopping after hours, in order to prevent accidents.

Bullet items that continue sentences do no not require punctuation, nor do they require a colon to introduce them.

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 List Things in an Essay (APA and MLA)

Essays usually follow a consistent format but every now and then something happens to throw that pattern off. Lists may be required in essays, which might throw off the piece’s general formatting, organization, and syntax. Let us go through how to list things in an essay.

When adding a list of subtopics or themes, lists of recommendations, phases of analysis, components of an item, and the like, readers often get your point fast. The key to using lists in an essay is to employ proper punctuation and grammar, as well as to maintain a consistent grammatical style.

Anything less than 3 items should not be listed in your essay.

Lists frequently appear in essays, posing problems for formatting, paragraph structure, and grammar. When you include:

• subtopics or themes
• evaluation checklists
• complex lists of ideas
• steps in project planning
• component pieces of an item

With lists, readers immediately grasp your message. Punctuation and parallelism in grammar are some of the important tools for creating lists in essays. Here is how to list things in an essay.

Ways to List Things in Your Essay

1. listing with bullets.

Bulleted lists aid in the organization of texts and project ideas by eliminating the necessity for a chronological order of events or concepts. Maintain a consistent listing style throughout. Following the bullet style, statements should begin with capital letters and end with simply the correct punctuation. Bulleted lists aren’t the best format for listings in chronological order.

The APA lists are quite effective at establishing concepts, and they are organized in a variety of ways based on the type of information conveyed.

Find the most effective technique of establishing the facts about your subject matter after reviewing your work and confirming that your professors do not prohibit bullet points.

Consider whether an MLA numbered list or any other APA list would showcase your content more effectively. Find a technique to list things in an essay, specifically the MLA numbered list, when the specific points of your topic require a specific order in which they must be given.

Bullets are a good option in research papers.

If there isn’t a specific chronological order, a bulleted list is another option for listing items in an essay.

Lists that aren’t too long should be organized as separate paragraphs or under their titled sections rather than as vertical lists. However, for extremely thorough information, the bulleted list is still the best alternative.

Bullet points should be indented at least one inch from the left margin, which is a standard recognized formatting style. Lists with double spaces and precise quotations from their sources are more efficient.

Create a brief topic sentence that explains your motives just as soon as you’re about to introducing a sentence, and then include all those items in your list in an orderly manner that pertains to that statement.

When Do You Use Bullet Lists?

Exercise some restraint when employing bullet points in your academic writing assignments. The last thing you want your essay to look like is a smallpox sore.  Many of the circumstances and ways in which you might use bullet points in your article include the following:

• Significant emphases on interpretation
• In the case of listings
• Clarification of step-by-step instructions
• Formulating recipes and component lists.
• When you want to condense descriptions
• To provide evidence to support your essay points
• When making use of illustrations

When Bullet Points are not allowed

Watch closely for patterns in how frequently you employ them. The bullet points should not take up more than a quarter of the total space on your page.

However, there are some instances in which using bullet points in an academic composition is a strict no-no. Here are some examples of such situations:

• When writing your thesis statement.
• When writing a conclusion in your paper.
• Within the context of a detailed illustration.
• In the case of quotations.
• Within the first paragraph of the introduction.

2. Listing with Numbers

For numbered lists, they’re ideal for describing a series of events or a logical arrangement of thoughts. When writing an APA format list, the standard format is to start with numerals and end with a full stop. The next logical step is to begin your listed item with a capital letter after the period has been removed.

In their papers, psychologists and experts in the social sciences use the APA style. These APA lists are quite effective at establishing concepts, and they are organized in a variety of ways based on the type of information conveyed.

Using colons and bracketed numbers

There are numerous methods for enumerating things such as statements. The first of these ways involves writing the number in parentheses: Here’s an illustration:

Dinosaurs lived 4 million years ago: (1) first evidence to support, (2) second evidence, and (3) third evidence written here. 

It’s important to pay attention to the numbers inside the parenthesis, and it’s not a good idea to utilize only one bracket once the number has been written. If the introduction of your supporting claim is an incomplete sentence, do not begin the list with a colon. You could try the following:

Here are the pieces of evidence: (1) the first evidence, (2) the second evidence, and (3) the third proof.

Using semi colons and bracketed numbers

If one of your pieces of evidence also has a comma in the middle, use semicolons to separate the elements. Changing it from a run-in text to a vertical list is the easiest method to get around this.

Naming the numbers

Here, instead of writing 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on, you will use first, second, third, fourth, and so on.

This other way to list data include separates statements using the serial versions of the numerals.

For instance.

The following are the arguments to support it. First (insert evidence). Second (here is the evidence). Third, here is the evidence. 

It is not a good practice to use semicolons to join all the pieces into one big claim since itemizing facts into one phrase necessitates the use of parentheses.

3. Lists with Letters

In this case, semicolons are utilized to properly divide APA-styled lists. They often use (a) lowercase letters; (b) within parentheses; and (c) semicolons to divide their sentences.

They often use (a) lowercase letters; (b) within parentheses; and (c) semicolons to divide their sentences. You should get the idea from there.

4. Running Text Lists

To identify elements in a list, Oxford commas are employed in run-in-texts. It’s known as the serial comma, and it comes before the conjunction. The main ingredients for recipe ABC are tomatoes, chilies, onions, and cilantro.

5. The First Sentence of the Introduction

When you create a numbered or unnumbered list in conjunction with a thesis statement or the introduction sentence, you have the option of either concluding the list or leaving it incomplete. It all depends on the structure of the essay and the methods used to list items. The colon should only be used with statements that have been completed.

A good example would be: “When making the perfect cup of coffee, you would usually need the following ingredients:”

Other than that approach, you could write “For the best cup of coffee, ensure that you” — think this approach only if every item on the list could self-sufficiently conclude a sentence that began with this structure.

6. Listing Single Items

Sometimes, what you need to list come as a complete statement, then each list item can be a single word, an expression, or a complete sentence, depending on the situation. The only requirement is that you adhere to a consistent pattern throughout the list. If you find yourself in this circumstance, write it in all capital letters and only use the full stop for complete statements.

7. Punctuation

Only statements and phrases that help to bring the structure to completion should be used when it is still unfinished. There should be a period at the end of each of them. Never use commas or semicolons, and avoid appending items from the second to the final one in a list unless necessary.

8. Deciding on a List

Ensure that your plans for really using that structure are expressed in that manner prior to deciding on a list format. For short itineraries with only a few things to say about each of them, it is ideal to utilize them as a statement in the run-in text. It is necessary to utilize a semicolon in order to neatly arrange the elements that will be listed within the sentence after the colon.

In contrast to our first case, lengthy statements that are to be incorporated into lists are difficult to deal with when they are presented as statements alone. In this case, the things should be separated into separate paragraphs or mentioned within a single lengthy paragraph, depending on their importance. It is best to break up long sentences inside a paragraph into separate paragraphs and number them in an essay. It is also best to bullet point or title them in an essay.

9. Separators

The usage of dividers such as “2)” or “(b)” in lists created with run-in-text should only be done when absolutely essential. The language and punctuation, in other words, fall short of the purpose of distinguishing the items on a list. Furthermore, despite this, you might want to think about doing a second rewrite to alleviate the complication and improve the overall comprehension of the section.

Using roman numerals and lowercase letters alternately, create simple outlines with a number of levels of difficulty. This method of defining your work and identifying each item in a list is the most effective technique to use multilevel lists. You should follow this order:

• Roman numbers
• Capitalized letters
• Arabic numbers
• Lowercase letters
• An Arabic numeral marked by parentheses or placed within brackets is a type of numeric expression.
• Lowercase letters, mainly denoted by parenthesis or put within brackets.

How to List Things in an Essay APA Style

Always make sure that all of the items on a list are syntactically and conceptually equivalent. For example, all of the items could be nouns, or all of the items could be phrases that begin with the word “and.” In the vast majority of cases, lists are simple lists in which commas (or semicolons in the case of lists in which items contain commas) are used between items, including immediately before the final item (see more information and examples on the lettered lists page). The use of lettered lists, numbered lists, and bulleted lists are all permitted in APA Style in order to draw additional attention to specific items.

Bulleted and numbered lists are permitted by the APA Style rules; however, if you’re unsure whether or not your instructor will allow them in your assignment, you should check with your instructor before submitting your work. See the section below for information on how to format lists.

Bulleted lists in the APA format

Depending on how the sentence is structured, the capitalization and punctuation for each bulleted item will differ. The first letter of the first word in the bulleted text should be capitalized, and the paragraph should be terminated by placing a period after the last bullet (see “Lists, Part 5: Bulleted Lists” in the APA Style Blog). As an illustration:

• This is a complete sentence.
• This is an additional sentence.

This is the final sentence of the bulleted list.

The bulleted list that separates three or more elements within a sentence is “capitalized and punctuated as if it were a complete sentence,” according to the style guide (American Psychological Association, 2010, p. 64).

APA 7th Edition

Bulleted and numbered lists are allowed by the APA Style rules, but if you’re unsure whether or not your instructor will allow them in your assignment, you should check with your instructor before submitting your work. Always keep in mind that, because bulleted or numbered items only provide undetailed information and do not include analysis, and because the goal of formal academic writing is to showcase your analytical thinking, these lists should be used sparingly in favor of conveying your ideas in full sentences and paragraphs. See the section below for information on how to format lists.

Lists with bullets

The capitalization and punctuation used for each bulleted item is determined by whether the items are complete sentences or sentence parts in the paragraph below. It is acceptable to capitalize the first letter of the very first word and to end the paragraph with a period in case the bulleted text is a complete sentence.

How to Make a List in MLA Format

Vertical lists are uncommon in essays written in humanities departments around the world, and they are most often used as run-in text within a sentence, with a colon marking the beginning of the list.

As an illustration, “Mark Twain has written five books: The Adventures of Mississippi, The Prince and the Tramp, A Tramp At Home, Life on the Finn, and My Early Life”.

The colon, on that note, is not used before a list when the list if those items are the object of the verb that announces them.

For instance, “Mark Twain’s recently published books include The Adventures of Mississippi, The Prince and the Tramp, A Tramp At Home, Life on the Finn, My Early Life.”

Although it is possible to include numbered lists in an MLA essay, it is recommended that you avoid doing so as much as possible. The use of lists in your essay can be accomplished in a variety of ways, so you should inquire about your professor’s preferences before proceeding.

Can I Use Bullets in a Research Paper

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Can research papers have bullet points?

When writing a scientific paper, you can wonder can a research paper have bullet points. Yes, there’s nothing wrong with it. It should be noted here that you should stick to one type of bullets in a research paper throughout the work, thus avoiding unnecessary variety. Also, you should take into account that among the characters serving the punctuation there is a certain hierarchy in which the square or dot stands higher than the dash (pause), above which figures are the letter and the number above the letter.

Can you use numbers in a research paper?

Sure! Using numbers in a research paper is another means of structuring the work. One more common question about preparing the research paper is can I write numbers in a research paper. Yes, you can use numbers as your bullet points. If the paper is relatively long, you can assign a number to each part of the paper and a sub-number for smaller parts. You can also use numbers as the bullet points for your listings.

One of the most common reasons for not accepting a scientific article for publication is an incorrect text structure. Of course, a good structure does not guarantee anything: not only good research is needed, but also a clear text is written in the correct language, as well as many other issues. But just the lack of a proper structure shows that you do not know what the research paper is all about.

Many magazines in their guidelines for authors give information on the maximum volume of the text, guidelines for the preparation of charts, attachments, bullets, numbers, etc. However, as many magazines do not indicate what structure of the text the authors have to use. It is assumed that this is obvious and understandable by itself. And such approach often causes problems, especially among young scientists from countries where practically no time is spent on (doctoral) studies for the development of academic papers and workshop competences, enabling them to achieve their scientific goals.

The structure is just a common standard, but the editorial staff often assume implicitly that it is known by everybody. The most classic structure of the scientific text is the structure called IMRAD: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion.

However, Literature review and Conclusion do not have to appear in every text. Literature review often appears in the introduction and takes 1-2 paragraphs of a detailed description of the state of research. As well as a Conclusion section – it is often not a mandatory part of the scientific paper.

In addition to the sections related to the “content” of the text, there are also parts of the text which are essential for the visibility, recognisability, and searchability of our text. They are such “typical” parts as title, abstract, bullet points, numbers, keywords or acknowledgments.

Let us take a look at different parts of IMRaD structured article.

Introduction.

The main purpose of the section is a presentation of the objectives of the work. In this part, a research hypothesis and the research subject must be highlighted (apart from the objectives).

One must describe the approach of research, research perspective and what the results bring to science.

In this part, the following questions should be answered:

• What did we study?
• Why is the research problem taken up important?
• What did we know about this problem before we started research?
• How did our research extend the knowledge about the problem?

Bullet Points in Literature Review

The aim of this section is sketching the theoretical background and recalling the most important similar works on a given topic. In this part, one should focus on texts published in the best magazines, scientific issues and other literature.

You should refer to “primary literature” (original research work + review articles), not textbooks. This information you can also structure in numbers.

Feel free to order a research paper online from our service.

Materials and Methods

The main goal of this section is to show how the “empirical base” was acquired, what is it at all and how it will be analyzed. Objectives of the section: objective presentation – as far as it is possible – of key results, but without their interpretation. It only shows what results you have achieved.

You should also highlight the next points in this chapter:

• A detailed description of the methods used.
• Description of procedures used (experiments, questionnaires in bullets etc.)
• The procedure used for collecting materials (use numbers for that).
• Description of search criteria.
• Description of reagents (if needed).
• Description of the control group (a group of people, etc.)

The goal of this section is to show what do the results of the research mean and why the analysis is important. In this section, you should answer such questions:

• What have we established new in our research?
• What did others know and what do we know now?
• What are the similarities and differences in results in numbers?
• What conclusions can be drawn from this?
• What research plans do we have?
• Have our results confirmed the hypothesis?

Now let us take a look at how to prepare other additional parts of your paper where you can also use bullet points and numbers

The title is a summary of the main ideas of our research. Therefore, it should contain exact words to describe the content and purpose of the article adequately.

It is important that the title of the article highlights the content of the article, encourages others to read the article, encourages scientists representing various fields to study the article.

Here are basic tips for good title development:

• The title should contain up to 12 words.
• The title should contain as much information as possible.
• The title should be specific.
• The title should not be a question.
• The title should be understandable.

The abstract is probably the most important part of the paper. Here are the reasons for it:

• Abstracts are rated.
• Abstracts are published.
• Abstracts are searched.
• Abstracts co-decide whether your paper will be quoted.

Keywords section

You are probably wondering how many keywords you can use in your research paper. Most magazines require from 5 to 12 keywords. Sometimes you have to choose keywords from the special magazine’s list of keywords but don’t forget to use bullets or numbers when enumerating the used keywords.

Keywords may consist of many elements, e.g. “civil society,” they must contain all relevant terms from the title and the abstract. The best keywords consist of 1 to 3 words.

The style of the references list depends on the guidelines of the journal and the indicated bibliographic style.

“Acknowledgments” are a formal statement in which we thank others for the participation in the project, but above all, we recognize someone’s “contribution” to the research process.

In this section, you should never thank for things that are not directly related to the research.

References part (or “Acknowledgments”) contains simple thanks, without dedicating the work to “mom, father, wife, and brother.”

Whom can we thank:

• People who gave us scientific advice led us in our arguments.
• Participants of the discussion.
• People who commented on working versions of our text.
• People who provided samples.
• Students and assistants who helped in research.
• Technical workers.
• Grant institutions. Here you should mention the name of the financing institution, the name of the grant and structure it in the bullets or numbers.

What is the best way to thank people in your research paper?

You should indicate only the first and last name of the person and do not use titles, positions or prizes.

So, now you know how to create a nice structured scientific article, what chapters should it include. You have also found the answer to the question “can you use bullets in a research.

So can we use bullets in research paper?

Yes – it is the simplest answer we could ever give. Moreover, it is advisable to use bullet points for a number of reasons.

• Bullet points structure the work.
• They help the writer focus on the specific idea.
• Bullet points make the paper look thought-out.
• They help manipulate the reader’s attention by putting an emphasis on the section with bullet points.

oth bullets and numbers are indispensable parts of any research paper because it makes the work more structured.

These basic principles are universal for all disciplines. Naturally, each journal may require some additional sections (e.g., separate information about financing or a conflict of interest). However, the basic requirements for the structure of the research paper analyzed in this article do not change.

Now you are ready to prepare a qualitative paper for the publication. Good luck!

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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.

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Should bullet points be used on research posters

From my search on the internet on how a research poster should be designed I got a lot of different opinions on best practices.

The area where opinions seemed particularly diverging were the use of bullet points. Some ( 1 2 3 ) suggested to replace any longer paragraphs with bullet points, while others were staunchly opposed to the use of bullet points for any reason ( 4 5 ).

I can see validity in both. However I would be interested if there is a reason to use one over the other to improve readability and engagement.

• presentation

• To me, they would be appropriate for most research posters at a conference. See if you can find similar publications for that conference in past years or conferences in the same field of research, and compare with them, please. –  JosephDoggie Commented May 18, 2022 at 16:15

3 Answers 3

Bullet points are a tool and like any tool it can be used well and it can be used poorly. Bullet points are great for displaying an unordered list of items. This is not saying that the order in which they are presented does not matter didactically, only that the content of one does not rely on knowledge of the content of another.

Now how does this relate to posters? I can only speak for myself here, but I rarely read a poster from top to bottom. I will skim bits, I will skip sections I deem less important and I will jump around a lot. This works great with the type of information described above. But bullet points do not create this kind of information, they only signal to me that the provided information is of this type.

That is I think, where a lot of the criticism stems from. If you just write some consecutive paragraphs of text and put a bullet point in front of every one of them, you are actively misleading me, because your layout tells me I can skip around, while the content should be read in order. In turn, if things should be read in order, signal that to me by enumerating them or if need be, by putting them as consecutive paragraphs into some block in your layout.

On the flip-side though, if you can, avoid the latter. Long paragraphs don't work well for the type of reading described above. But this does not mean that you should put bullet points in front of them, but that you should think about, if it is possible to restructure the information usefully in such a way that bullet points (or enumerations) are the best way to display this information. If you can, then maybe do so. If this does not work, then use paragraphs.

tl;dr: Use the right tool for the job, but don't be afraid of changing the job to suit the tool you want to use.

I have a strong opinion on this:

A : Don't use bullet points they just add visual noise with no gains.

General comment on : "suggested to replace any longer paragraphs with bullet points," Here the problem with most scientific poster appears: A lot of people want to basically write a paper onto a wall. But a poster is a different format than a text, so you have to think of how to make best out of it.

Q : What is the goal of a poster in a poster presentation?

A : First, to be a bait to draw attention and kick-start a conversation. Second, to guide the conversation.

And this does not work, when you add a huge amount of text onto a poster. So you would like to have the minimal amount of text on a poster, so it is still comprehensible but also is easy to digest. That's why you should use bullet point-like style instead of a wall of text.

But you should not use bullet points. What is the information content of a bullet point? None! So, instead use text of different size, make text bold or italic, or use some color to visually structure the information on your poster without using bullet points. And always align things in the correct way.

One of my posters where you can see how we did this is available here .

• 2 This is a subjective answer—font sizes/styles/colors can be considered just as much as visual noise as bullet points. –  Greg Martin Commented May 18, 2022 at 1:51
• If one changes a color, one should change a font or style, per accessibility rules. –  JosephDoggie Commented May 18, 2022 at 16:17
• I agree with your first point yet disagree with the second approach. Consistency matters. FWIW, I also find the use of multiple colors, multiple font sizes, and boxes inside boxes next to boxes can be distracting. –  Jeffrey J Weimer Commented May 19, 2022 at 21:02

I fully agree to @mlk: A poster is not a paper on a wall. It's a completely different format.

Maybe the #BetterPoster approach is a good inspiration for what you should focus on...

It uses a magnitude of the poster to just bring attention to your research question and most(!) important result as a conversation starter. More details and some sort of paper-outline can be much smaller and may use bullets or other formatting.

The whole this is to draw the visitors attention to your research. The design is also intended that you as an author are standing close and can answer questions right away. The poster uses only some small proportion of its area for supporting figures, diagramms, tables, ... in small font, as you and the interlocutor are standing close to the poster. All other visitors are still able to see the main takeaway.

https://astrobites.org/2020/02/28/fixing-academic-posters-the-betterposter-approach/

• 5 While this link may answer the question, it is better to include the essential parts of the answer here and provide the link for reference. Link-only answers can become invalid if the linked page changes or disappears. –  Glorfindel Commented May 17, 2022 at 14:10
• 2 Thanks for that comment. I edited my answer to be more informative, even without the link. –  Markus Seizinger Commented May 18, 2022 at 15:10

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How to Insert Bullet Points in Excel – Step by Step Guide

Streamline Excel presentations with quick bullet points insertion techniques. Learn keyboard shortcuts, custom lists & more for... read more

#ez_toc_widget_sticky--1 .ez-toc-widget-sticky-container ul.ez-toc-widget-sticky-list li.active{ background-color: #ededed; } Steps To Follow

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When I first started working with documents and presentations, I found that inserting bullet points could really help organize information and make it more digestible. In this article, I’ll walk you through the simple steps to insert bullet points in your documents, ensuring your content is clear and visually appealing.

Key Takeaways:

• Excel’s Bullet Point Myth : Excel can effectively display bullet points, challenging the common belief that it’s only for numbers.
• Why Use Bullets : Bullet points enhance readability, highlight key findings, and organize complex data sets, making information clearer and more digestible.
• Efficient Shortcuts : Quick keyboard shortcuts like Alt + Numpad 7 and 9 streamline adding bullet points, saving time and improving data presentation.
• Custom Formatting : By customizing number formats, you can automatically add bullets to cells, creating a cohesive and personalized look for your lists.
• CHAR Function : The CHAR function allows for unique bullet styles, offering flexibility and creativity in how you present bulleted lists in Excel.

Table of Contents

Unlocking Excel Bullet Points: A Quick Introduction

The basics of bullet points in excel.

In the digital realm of spreadsheets, the narrative that Excel can’t accommodate bullet points is a myth that I’m here to dispel. Excel may be renowned for crunching numbers, but it’s also robust in displaying textual data.

Utilizing bullet points in Excel might be unconventional, but it’s surprisingly simple and incredibly effective for enhancing readability and structuring information. They help in creating lists, emphasizing key points, and making instructions crystal clear.

Why You Might Need Bullets in Spreadsheets

Bullet points offer a visual queue in spreadsheets, transforming blocks of text into organized and digestible points. When handling complex data sets, bullets can:

• Highlight key findings or critical tasks within a project plan
• Make lists of assumptions or inputs more noticeable in financial models
• Provide clarity in outlining steps in a process or instructions for spreadsheet users
• Enhance the presentation of a list within a cell, breaking monotony and aiding focus
• Serve as a convenient way to organize product features, agendas, and meeting notes within individual cells

Bullet points also encourage brevity and compel us to present thoughts concisely. While Excel is typically seen as a numbers-centric tool, incorporating bullets can amplify its textual capabilities, enabling a smoother flow of information for those who rely on it for data storytelling.

Mastering Shortcuts to Efficiency

Add bullet points with keyboard shortcuts.

Adding bullet points quickly in Excel is a hidden gem of efficiency that’s as simple as a flick of a few keys. If your keyboard has a number pad, here’s the trick:

• For a filled round bullet, I press Alt + Numpad 7.

• For a hollow round bullet, I tap Alt + Numpad 9.

These shortcuts save us from the tedious journey through various menus. Plus, they are perfect for rapidly bulleted lists. Whether summarizing project tasks or itemizing data points, these keyboard shortcuts become second nature with a little practice, making data presentation in Excel more dynamic and reader-friendly.

Diving Deep: Excel’s Custom Formatting

Crafting custom bullet lists with number formatting.

Crafting custom bullet lists with number formatting in Excel allows for a cohesive look and a personalized touch. By setting up a custom number format, we enable any cell to automatically include a bullet point when text is entered. Here’s how I do it:

STEP 1: I select the cells where I want the bullets to appear.

STEP 2: Then, I press Ctrl + 1 to bring up the Format Cells dialog box.

STEP 3: Next, I navigate to the Number tab and select Custom.

STEP 4: In the Type box, I insert a bullet point, add a space for separation, and type “@” to represent text.

My selected cells are primed to start with bullet points before any text I type.

This custom formatting option is especially useful when I’m working with lengthy lists or when I need to apply the same bullet style frequently across different worksheets.

Utilizing CHAR Functions for Unique Bullets

Sometimes, the classic bullet point just doesn’t capture the nuanced distinction I’m looking to make in Excel. This is where the CHAR function becomes a secret weapon for creating unique bullets. It’s as straightforward as using simple formulas.

Here’s the technique:

STEP 1: To begin, I enter =CHAR(149) into a cell to get a standard bullet point.

STEP 2: To pair this with text from another cell, I concatenate: =CHAR(149) & " " & A2 , assuming A2 contains the milestone or item I wish to list.

STEP 3: By copying this formula down the column, I quickly generate a bulleted list next to my original items.

This CHAR function method provides us with an a la carte menu of bullet styles to choose from, each with its unique code, empowering our Excel documents with both functionality and style.

Exploring Alternative Methods

Symbol insertion for bullet mastery.

Discovering the wealth of options within Excel’s Symbol insertion feature was a game-changer for my bullet point use. When I don’t have a numeric keypad or need a specific bullet style, I go through this process:

STEP 1: First, I select the cell where I desire the bullet point.

STEP 2: Then, I navigate to Insert > Symbol, which brings up a treasure trove of symbols.

STEP 3: I often choose the Wingdings or Webdings font for a variety of bullet styles. Once I find the bullet symbol that fits my needs, I click ‘Insert’ and ‘Close’.

This method elegantly circumvents the limited bullet options found in other Excel features and broadens the horizon for data decoration. Plus, the freedom to choose from various fonts instills creativity and differentiation in spreadsheets.

FAQs: Insert Bullet Points Quickly

How do i add bullet points.

To add bullet points in Excel , use keyboard shortcuts like Alt + 7 , copy and paste from another program, insert symbols via Insert > Symbol , or use the CHAR function with =CHAR(149) . These methods help organize text efficiently.

How to make a list inside a cell in Excel?

To make a list inside a single cell in Excel, type your first item, then press Alt + Enter to create a new line within the same cell. Repeat this for each item on your list. Add bullet points by pressing Alt + 7 before each item if desired, to neatly format your in-cell list.

Can I Create a Default Bullet Point Style in Excel?

Yes, you can create a default bullet point style in Excel using a custom number format. Select the cells you want to format. Open the Format Cells dialog with Ctrl + 1 . Go to the Number tab, select Custom, and enter your bullet symbol followed by a space and “@” in the Type field. This will apply the bullet style to any text in the formatted cells.

How do I add bullet points to an Excel chart?

Adding bullet points to an Excel chart usually involves the axis labels or titles. You cannot directly insert a bullet point, but you can create bullet points in a cell using the methods mentioned before and then link those cells to your chart axis labels or title for the same effect. This offers an organized, polished look to your charts.

How Do I Align My Text and Bullets Neatly in Excel Cells?

To align text and bullets in Excel, first highlight your list. Then, go to the Home tab and select your desired alignment. Use the Increase/Decrease Indent buttons to adjust the spacing as needed.

John Michaloudis

John Michaloudis is a former accountant and finance analyst at General Electric, a Microsoft MVP since 2020, an Amazon #1 bestselling author of 4 Microsoft Excel books and teacher of Microsoft Excel & Office over at his flagship MyExcelOnline Academy Online Course .

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