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bullet hole listBulleted Lists

Punctuating Items in Vertical Lists

 

 

 

Which is easier to read?

Block text visually runs text together. It is wordy but saves space.  Using more than three or four lines on a web page causes the reader to skip over the last few lines. Did you actually read this last line?

A bulleted or numbered list:

  • visually emphasizes information
  • capsulizes a concept
  • facilitates reading comprehension

 

 

 

Punctuating Lists

Is a bulleted list punctuated like a sentence or is it something else all together?

Writers disagree on how to punctuate bulleted lists!  Before the word-processor, writers used outlines or separated list items with commas.  Then, Microsoft Word came along with bulleted and numbered list options.  The popularity increased and we are still trying to settle on how to punctuate bulleted lists.  The bulleted lists presented on this page are a blend of current usage.  The same punctuation conventions apply to numbered lists. 

 

A PUNCTUATED VERTICAL LIST A VERTICAL LIST

This style of list has an introductory phrase followed by a series of words, phrases or clauses that make up a complete sentence.  Bullets set off each list item. Sentence punctuation occurs as usual. (This style is used to set off a list from a larger body of writing. If the list does not require visual emphasis, then the items should be set into regular text style.) 

Another style of list has an introductory phrase followed by single words or short phrases. The vertical format and bullets set off each list item.  Additional punctuation is seen as repetitive and unnecessary. (This style is more commonly used when the list is independent of a larger body of writing.)

PHRASES SEPARATED BY COMMAS

Job applicants will need to have:

  • a high-school degree, 
  • a bachelors degree,
  • two years of experience,
  • three recommendations.

Q: Are commas and semicolons redundant (repetitive) when using bullets?
A:  Most manuals advise advise against using them, such as Chicago Manual of Style (6.127-30); APA (64).
  

INFORMAL LIST  (no attempt to make a sentence)

Items to take with you:

  • sunscreen
  • towel
  • bathing suit
  • sun umbrella

Q: Does an informal list, for example in a summer-camp flyer, need capitalization and punctuation?
A:   The informal style tends to use no punctuation for the list-items, and depending on the level of informality, may omit the colon after the introductory phrase as well.

PHRASES SEPARATED BY PERIODS

Job applicants will need to have:

–  A high-school degree. (AP Stylebook)

–  A bachelors degree.

–  Two years of experience.

–  Three recommendations.

Q: Does the period after the list item mean that applicants need only one item to qualify?
A: Logically speaking, a period at the end of each list-item would indicate the introductory phrase plus ANY (one) list-item makes a complete sentence. The result is an OR statement.
 

PUNCTUATION –QUESTION

What is the best sun-protection?

  • T-shirt
  • sunscreen
  • wet suit
  • UPF shirt 
  • sun umbrella


Q:  In a list in which a question is posed, where should the writer logically place the question mark, after each item or after the introductory phrase?
A:  In multiple choice style questions, it makes more sense to place the question mark with the introductory phrase.

PHRASES SEPARATED BY SEMI-COLONS

Job applicants will need to have    (APA Manual)

  • a high-school degree, GED or diploma; 
  • a bachelors degree, B.A., A.B., or B.S;
  • two years of experience, in marketing or branding;
  • three recommendations, high school, college, and recent employer.

Q: Does the period after the final list item mean that applicants need all four items to qualify?
A: Logically speaking, a semicolon or period at the end of the final item would indicate that ALL other items are part of the series concluding with the final list item. (AND)
  

PUNCTUATING FINAL LIST ITEM – ADVERTISING

Winners will receive

  • free airfare
  • a rental car
  • a hotel stay
  • dinner for two
  • and much more!

Q: In a promotional or commercial list, does punctuation detract from the message? 

Q: How does punctuation of a promotional list differ from that of a Power Point presentation at a business meeting? (See tables below for phrase length conventions.)

 

 

 

Style Manual Rules

CHICAGO MANUAL OF STYLE   (CMOS) ASSOCIATED PRESS STYLEBOOK  (AP)

"A vertical list is best introduced by a complete grammatical sentence, followed by a colon. Items carry no closing punctuation unless they consist of complete sentences. If the items are numbered, a period follows the numeral and each item begins with a capital letter.  To avoid long, skinny lists, short items may be arranged in two or more columns.  If items run over a line, the second and subsequent lines are usually indented."  CMOS (6.127-28)

"AP uses dashes, not bullets, for lists in news stories that follow a colon. After each dash, capitalize the first letter and use periods at the end of each section."  AP Stylebook Online (2009) Ask the Editor FAQ

A computer lab should include:

  • ergonomic desks
  • comfortable chairs
  • well-lighted areas
  • adjustable monitors
  • broadband Internet
  • dual-platform systems
  • secure logins
  • accessibility software

Write about your qualifications:   (initial capitals for longer phrases)

  • To illustrate with examples areas of competency
  • To detail skill sets
  • To demonstrate instances of applying creative thinking

To shutdown your computer:    (Periods occur after list items that are sentences.)

  1. Close all windows.
  2. Quit all open applications.
  3. Log out of your profile.
  4. Shutdown (Start menu / Apple menu).
      

These are letters and types of service most common in nationwide transmissions:

–  Spot DataStream news.

–  AP Basic service.

–  Most advances.

–  Weekly Features service.

–  Business and financial DataStream news.

–  Limited DataStream news.

 

AP Stylebook "Filing the Wire", p. 390  

The Chicago Manual of Style. 15th ed. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2003. Print.
 The Chicago Manual of Style. Web. http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org

AP Stylebook. The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law. 42nd ed. New York: Basic Books, 2007. Print.
AP Stylebook Online [2010]. Associated Press. Web.  http://www.apstylebook.com/

 

MICROSOFT MANUAL OF STYLE FOR TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS   (MMSTP) AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION  (APA)

"Introduce a list with a sentence or fragment ending with a colon. Begin each entry in a bulleted or numbered list with a capital. Use complete sentences. Use parallel construction. Use a period after each entry." (MMSTP 172)

"Alternatively, you may use bulleted lists within a sentence to separate three or more elements.  In these instances, captialize and punctuate the list as if it were a complete sentence." (APA.64)

The report should include:

  • Text
  • Tables
  • Diagrams
  • Pictures

The wordprocessor can:  

  • Create reports and fliers.
  • Compose letters.
  • Make data tables.
  • Perform file merges.

To shutdown your computer:   

  1. Close all windows.
  2. Quit all open applications.
  3. Log out of your profile.
  4. Shutdown (Start menu).

 

A bulleted list as indicated by the APA includes

  • no initial colon after the introductory phrase;
  • three or more elements;
  • puncutaion as if the introductory phrase and the elements were part of a complete sentence
  • optional use of conjunctions; and
  • a final period.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications., 3rd ed. Redmond: Microsoft Press 2003. Print.

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 6th ed. Washington, D.C:  American Psycological Association, 2010. Print.   

 

MLA HANDBOOK (MLA)  

"Use commas to separate words, phrases, and clauses in a series."  The MLA Handbook recommends in-text lists. In other words, don't include bulleted lists. If you cannot paraphrase, then include a table or appendix that presents your list of items. 

However, in the manual itself a numbered list occurs!  (MLA 136, 5.4.1)

During the recession, everyone had their wages cutback, millions lost thier jobs, tens of thousands lost their homes, many more suffered hunger and hardship.

 

 

 

 

Entries for pulications in print periodicals consist of several elements in a prescribed sequence.  This list shows most of the possible components of an entry for an article in a print periodical and the order in which the are normally arranged:

  1. Author's name (for more than one author, see 5.5.4; for a corporate author, see 5.5.5; for an anonymoous work, see 5.5.9)
  2. Title of the article (in quotation marks)
  3. Name of the periodical (italicized)
  4. Series number or name (if relevant; see 5.4.4)
  5. Volume number (for a scholarly jounal)
  6. Issue number (if available, for a scholarly journal)
  7. …

 

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th ed. New York:  The Modern Language Association of America. 2009. Print. 

  

 

 

 

 

 

List Variables

Punctuation, Parallel Phrasing and Capitalization

 

 

colon

 

Introductory Phrase or Clause Followed by Colon  
WORDS PHRASES, CLAUSES & SENTENCES

Introduce the list with an introductory phrase or clause and a colon. Optionally, omit articles (a, an, the) from the beginning of list items. (Also, note exception below using a period after the intro.)

Make sure that each list item reads grammatically with the introductory phrase or clause. If a list has fewer than three items, use a sentence instead of a list.

My duties were:    (phrase)

  • planning 
  • selecting
  • organizing
  • inviting
  • overseeing
  • cleaning up
  • collecting

CMOS (6.127- 6.130) 
 

We had several responsibilities:  (independent clause )

  • Fundraising events were planned bi-annually.
  • Venues and speakers were selected for each event.
  • Caterers, florists and greeters were hired to assist at events.
  • Invitations were emailed to encourage donor attendance.
  • Blind-auctions were used to raise additional money.
  • Events were hosted to network potential donors.
  • Donations were followed by thank-you letters.

CMOS (6.127- 6.130) 

APA uses no colon after the introductory clause (3.04)
 

 

Co-managed $1M in nationwide marketing activites for an indrustry leading 3D animation software.  (A complete sentence ending with a period.)

  • Researched competitive landscape and devised a marketing plan used to aggressively target a new insdustry segment.
  • Led co-marketing programs including customer testimonials, product demonstrtions, event planning.
  • Surveyed over 50,000 customers online gathering usage intelligence used in developing product roadmaps.

"Beverly B. Student: Resume & Cover Letter." USC Marshall School of Busines. 2010-2011 

 

 

 

slot machine: matched cherries

 

 

 

Parallel Phrasing of List Items
UNPARALLEL PARALLEL

Each item should be "parallel", use the same word form: noun, verb, adjective, verb phrase (gerund, infinitive, noun phrase or clause). Choose one word form and use it for all list items.

Each item below is "parallel", uses the same word form , and reads grammatically with the introductory phrase. Optional word forms: verbs, nouns, gerunds, infinitives, etc.

I was in charge of:

  • planning 
  • selected the venue and speakers (error)
  • organization of event (error)
  • invitations (error)
  • oversaw the event (error)
  • made sure to clean up (error)
  • donation collection (error)

I was in charge of:  (gerunds)

  • planning events 
  • selecting venues and speakers
  • organizing caterers, florists and greeters
  • sending out invitations
  • hosting and entertaining
  • cleaning up
  • collecting donations

 

I was in charge of:  (nouns)

  • the event plans
  • the venue and speaker selection
  • the caterer, florist and greetes organization
  • the invitation mailing
  • the hosting and entertainment
  • the clean up
  • the donation collectiion
     


Related Pages: Parallel Phrasing,   Gerunds Parallel Phrasing, Parallel Phrasing in Bulleted Lists

 

 

Use capital letters

 

Capitalization of List Items
LOWER CASE INITIAL CAPITAL

For words or short phrases, the initial letter of the first word of each list item is usually lower case; however, they can also be capitalized.  Apply the same capitalization style to all items.

For independent clauses (sentences), the initial letter of the first word of each list item is capitalized. AP Stylebook capitalizes all words and phrases. Chicago Manual of Style capitalizes all phrases and clauses.

 SINGLE WORDS

Job responsibilities:

  • planning
  • selecting
  • organizing
  • inviting
  • overseeing
  • cleaning up
  • collecting

CMOS – lowercase

 

  • Planning
  • Selecting
  • Organizing
  • Inviting
  • Overseeing
  • Cleaning up
  • Collecting

AP – capitalized


    

CLAUSES / SENTENCES

We promise:  

  • Every child should have a mentor. 
  • Every child should be able to participate in an apprenticeship.
  • Every child should be able to follow his or her dream.
  • Changing direction is not failure but a new beginning.

Write about your qualifications:     (Each list item is a phrase.)

  • To illustrate with examples areas of competency
  • To detail skill sets
  • To demonstrate instances of applying creative thinking

  CMOS & AP

 

SHORT PHRASES

We had several responsibilities:

  • planning events   (optional capitalization for short phrases)
  • selecting venues and speakers
  • organizing caterers, florists and greeters
  • sending out invitations
  • hosting and entertaining
  • cleaning up
  • collecting donations

CMOS – lowercase; AP – capitalized

SENTENCES

We had several responsibilities:   

  • Fundraising events were planned bi-annually.
  • Venues and speakers were selected for each event.
  • Caterers, florists and greeters were hired to assist at the events.
  • Invitations were emailed to encourage donors to attend.
  • Blind-auctions were used to raise additional money.
  • Events were hosted to network with potential donors.
  • Donations were followed up with thank you letters.

CMOS & AP

The Gregg Reference Manual and Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publication: Capitalize the first word in each list item regarless of whether it is a word, phrase or clause.)

 

 

 

 

semi-colon

 

Punctuation of List Items
PUNCTUATED VERTICAL LIST VERTICAL LIST

In this list style, commas and semi-colons are used after each bulleted list item . This style is used to set off text from a larger body of writing.  The punctuated list style is used to maintain the overall style of the document.

In this list style, bullets not commas or semi-colons separate the list items. Typographically, the list has more visual clarity (is less messy).

PHRASES  (COMMAS)

You will be selected if you have:

  • a high-school degree, 
  • a bachelors degree,
  • two years of experience,
  • three recommendations.

 


 Punctuating the list maintains the style of the larger body of writing.   

PHRASES

My duties included:

  • planning events  
  • selecting venues and speakers
  • organizing caterers,  florists and greeters
  • sending out invitations
  • overseeing the events
  • cleaning up
  • collecting donations

 The absence of punctuation marks increases visual clarity.

 

PHRASES THAT ALREADY HAVE COMMAS (SEMI-COLONS)

You will be selected if you have:

  • a high-school degree, GED or diploma; 
  • a bachelors degree, B.A., A.B., or B.S;
  • two years of experience, in marketing or branding;
  • three recommendations, high school, college, and recent employer.

Use commas after phrase list items. However, use semi-colons if the items already include commas.

INDEPENDENT CLAUSES (SENTENCES)

In my job, we had several responsibilities, for example:

  • Fundraising events were planned bi-annually.
  • Venues and speakers were selected for each event.
  • Caterers and florists were hired to assist at the events.
  • Invitations were emailed to encourage donors to attend.
  • Blind-auctions were used to raise additional money.
  • Events were hosted to network with potential donors.
  • Donations were followed up with thank you letters.

 

CLAUSES (SEMI-COLONS)

The committee decided:

  • a new budget director would be sought;
  • new fundraising drives would be started;
  • outstanding loans would be collected;
  • community partnerships would be established.

 

 

 

Chicago Manual of Style: "Items carry no closing punctuation unless they consist of complete sentences."

 

 

Using a period

 

 

Periods with List Items 
USE A PERIOD USE NO PERIOD

Use a period at the end of a punctuated vertical list if:  (1)  the list items complete the sentence begun by the introductory phrase; (2) if the content of the list item is a complete sentence; (3) if the list is used within a larger body of writing. (In such a case, phrase the list as a vertical sentence.)

Use no period if : (1)  the list is stylistically independent from a larger body of text or writing; (2) the list items are words or short phrases (sentence fragments); (3) the introductory statement is a complete sentence (independent clause) and does not require the list items to complete the sentence.

INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT FORMS A COMPLETE SENTENCE WITH LIST ITEMS

I had several management duties, including:  

  • planning events, selecting venues and speakers;
  • organizing caterers, florists and greeters;
  • sending out invitations;
  • overseeing the events, welcoming guests and cleaning up;
  • sending out thank-you notes and collecting donations period

Use a period after the final list item, if the list items are grammatically essential to completing the sentence begun by the introductory phrase, (especially after such as, for example, including, namely.)
 

PHRASES 

My duties varied:  

  • planning events
  • selecting venues and speakers
  • organizing caterers, florists and greeters
  • sending out invitations
  • overseeing the events
  • cleaning up
  • collecting donations

CMOS – no periods; AP – periods

INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT FORMS A COMPLETE SENTENCE WITH LIST ITEMS

In my job, I made decisions, such as:

  • who was going to plan the event, 
  • where the event was going to be,
  • how the event would be funded,
  • what the theme would be,
  • how many people we could invite period

Use commas after list items that are phrases. However, use semi-colons if the phrases already include commas.)
 

SHORT PHRASES

In my job, I made decisions:

  • who was going
  • where we were going
  • how we were going
  • what time to go

CMOS – lowercase; AP – capitalized

 

EACH LIST ITEM IS A COMPLETE SENTENCE

In my job, we had several responsibilities, for example:

  • Fundraising events were planned bi-annually period
  • Venues and speakers were selected for each event period
  • Caterers and florists were hired to assist at the events period
  • Invitations were emailed to encourage donors to attend period
  • Blind-auctions were used to raise additional money period
  • Events were hosted to network with potential donors period
  • Donations were followed up with thank you letters period

WORDS  (no attempt to create sentences)

Education:

  • San Francisco State University, M. A.
  • University of California, Berkeley, A. B
  • University of California, Davis
  • Palos Verdes High School

Hobbies:

  • Dancing (tango and hip-hop)
  • Fishing (fly fishing)
  • Cycling (moto-cross)

 

  AP Style: Use periods at the end of each section.  AP Stylebook Online (2009) Ask the Editor FAQ

 Microsoft Manual of Style  "Begin each entry in a bulleted or numbered list with a capital. Use complete sentences. Use parallel construction. Use a period after each entry."

Chicago Manual of Style: "Items carry no closing punctuation unless they consist of complete sentences."

 

 

 

 

Bulleted vs. Numbered List
BULLETED LIST NUMBERED LIST

"Use a bulleted list for an unordered series of concepts, items or options rather than a sequence of events or steps. Capitalize the first word of each bulleted entry. Use parallel construction. Use a period at the end of each list item." Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publication p.49

A numbered list is used for a sequence of events or steps.

You will be selected if you have:

  • a high-school degree  (capitalization varies with style manual)
  • a bachelors degree
  • two years of experience
  • three recommendations

 A bulleted list may imply that ANY of the items is required to complete the introductory statement.

You will be selected if you have:

  1. a high-school degree
  2. a bachelors degree
  3. two years of experience
  4. three recommendations

A numbered list makes it clear to the reader that ALL items are required to complete the introductory statement.

 

 

 

 

Including And in a List
"AND"AFTER A LIST ITEM IN-TEXT SOLUTION

My duties included:

  • planning events;
  • selecting, organizing and finding venues and speakers; and
  • sending out invitations;
  • overseeing the events;
  • cleaning up  and
  • collecting donations.

Most manuals indicate it is unnecessary to set off text with bullets as well as add punctuation and conjunctions.  If you want to use semicolons (;) and conjunctions, delete the bullets and just write a sentence.

APA examples do indicate that it is acceptable to use a conjunction in a list.  APA  

CMOS Q& A – "If your list forms a sentence, yes, semicolons work well, and there’s no rule against using and."

My duties included planning events; selecting, organizing and finding venues and speakers; sending out invitations, overseeing the events, cleaning up and collecting donations.

Either use a vertical list and let the bullets function as the separators, or use an in-line list and use full puncutation and conjunctions.

My duties included (1) planning events; (2) selecting, organizing and finding venues and speakers; (3) sending out invitations (4) overseeing the events, cleaning up  and (5) collecting donations.

Solution - lightbulb

  PopQ 11/16/2008

 

 

 

Resources

 

 

 

 

Word bullet optionsPractice

Fix the Bullet List

 

 

  1. Punctuate the following lists by checking the appropriate boxes.
  2. Compare your response with the answer.

# YOUR RESPONSE CHECK YOUR ANSWER
1. STYLE: VERTICAL LIST (informal)

My hobbies are
  • swimming
  • horseback riding
  • cycling
  • soccer

Punctuation:  (select one or more option)



Add a period after each list item.
   

 

Text View Answer 1
2. STYLE: VERTICAL LIST (resumé)


I have had various jobs, for example
  • an assistant to a city mayor
  • a director of a non-profit organization
  • a board member of a disaster relief program

Punctuation:  (select one or more option)




 

Text View Answer 2
3. I have participated in several national service programs
  • I have worked on the Shoreline Clean-up Project
  • I work with Habitat for Humanity
  • I spent a year in the Peace Corp

Punctuation:  (select one or more option)


Add a semi-colon after list items 1-2 and a period after item 3.
   

Text View Answer 3
4. STYLE: VERTICAL LIST

My tasks were 
  • to make a database
  • add names to the database
  • sending out newsletters

Punctuation:  (select one or more option)

Text View Answer 4
5. STYLE: VERTICAL LIST (advertising)

Our service philosophy is:
  • to serve whoever comes in through our doors
  • to assist with a smile
  • to show respect
  • to value our customers

Punctuation:  (select one or more option)

Capitalize the initial word of each list item.
Add a semi-colon after list items 1-3 and a period after item 4.

Text View Answer 5
6. To remove a lid from a jar that is stuck
  1. place the lid under hot water for ten seconds
  2. gently tap the lid against a hard surface
  3. use a rubber glove to twist the lid off

Punctuation:  (select one or more option)

Capitalize the initial word of each list item.

Add a semi-colon after each list item.

Text View Answer 6

7. ADVERTISING

Zip Airline offers
  • more leg room
  • in flight entertainment
  • beverage and meal service
  • lowest fares any where

Punctuation:  (select one or more option)

Text View Answer 7
8. POWER POINT PRESENTATION

The elements of email etiquette
  • General Format
  • Writing long messages
  • Attachments
  • The Curse of Surprises
  • Flaming
  • Delivering Bad news
  • Electronic mailing lists

Punctuation:  (select one or more option)

Text View Answer 8
   

 

 

 

Text View of Answers

 

 

ONE OPTION OTHER OPTION(S)

1.   My hobbies are:

  • swimming
  • horseback riding
  • cycling
  • soccer

Chicago Manual of Style

back  Q1

My hobbies are:

    –  Swimming.
    –  Horseback riding.
    –  Cycling.
    –  Playing soccer.

AP Style

2.   I have had various jobs, for example:

  • assistant to a city mayor
  • director of a non-profit organization
  • board member of a disaster relief program

Chicago Manual of Style - does not capitalize the initial word or use punctuation in short phrases.





back Q2

I have had various jobs, for example:

  • Assistant to a city mayor
  • Director of a non-profit organization
  • Board member of a disaster relief program

I have had various jobs, for example:

  • Assistant to Mayor Newsome, Mayor of San Francisco;
  • Director of  Resolve, a non-profit organization;
  • Board Member, Hand in Need, a disaster relief program.

Capitalize list job titles. In a punctuated list, use semi-colons for list items in which commas are already present.

3.   I have participated in several national service programs:

  • I have worked on the Shoreline Clean-up Project.
  • I work with Habitat for Humanity.
  • I spent a year in the Peace Corp.

AP and Chicago Manual of Style – capitalize initial word and use periods after sentence list items.
back Q3

  

4.   My tasks were: 

  • to make a database
  • to add names to the database
  • to send out newsletters

All styles use parallel word forms as list items:  to make/ to add/ to send or make/ add/ send or making/ adding/ sending.

back  Q4

I had three tasks:  (Phrase as a complete sentence.)

  • To make a database
  • To add names to the database
  • To send out newsletters

This option, shown in the Chicago Manual of Style, capitalizes list items that are longer phrases.  In contrast, AP uses periods after each list item.   

5.   Our service philosophy is:

  • To serve whoever comes in through our doors
  • To assist with a smile
  • To show respect
  • To value our customers

Chicago Manual of Style  Note – "to" can be omitted.  It is unlikely that either CMOS or AP would put "to" at the end of the introductory phrase because of the "split infinitive" issue.

back Q5

Our service philosophy is:  
    – To serve whoever comes in through our doors.
    – To assist with a smile.
    – To show respect.
    – To value our customers.

AP Style – use dashes, capitals and periods.

6.   To remove a lid from a jar that is stuck:

  1. Place the lid under hot water for ten seconds.
  2. Gently tap the lid against a hard surface.
  3. Use a rubber glove to twist the lid off.

AP and Chicago Manual of Style – capitalize initial word and use periods after sentence list items.

back Q6

 

 

7.   Zip Airline offers

  • more leg room
  • in flight entertainment
  • beverage and meal service
  • lowest fares any where

Bullet lists in advertising are often shown free of punctuation to improve the visual appeal (an uncluttered, cleaner look) .

back Q7

Zip Airline offers

  • More leg room
  • In flight entertainment
  • Beverage and meal service
  • Lowest fares any where

This option, shown in the Chicago Manual of Style, capitalizes list items that are longer phrases.  

8.   The elements of email etiquette: (This informal style makes no attempt to make a complete sentence.)

  • general format
  • writing long messages
  • attachments
  • the curse of surprises
  • flaming
  • delivering bad news
  • electronic mailing lists

Chicago Manual of Style – does not capitalize initial word or use punctuation in short phrases.

back Q8

The elements of email etiquette are:

  • general format 
  • writing long messages
  • attachments
  • the curse of surprises
  • flaming
  • delivering bad news
  • electronic mailing lists

Chicago Manual of Style – suggests using a complete grammatical sentence. The introduction attempts to make a complete statement with each list item.