Punctuating Bullet Points

In business writing courses, the most common question about punctuation involves how to punctuate bullet points. It's important, since these days we write as many bullet points as paragraphs.

Let me tell you how I punctuate them, and then I will touch on other ways recommended by prestigious style manuals.

Here is what I recommend:

• Use a period (full stop) after every bullet point that is a sentence (as these bullets do).
• Use a period after every bullet point that completes the introductory stem.
• Use no punctuation after bullets that are not sentences and do not complete the stem.
• Use all sentences or all fragments, not a mixture.

Directly below is an example of bullet points that complete the introductory stem. Below that example is a version that does not need periods.

I like living in Seattle because of its:

• Access to culture, natural beauty, and work opportunities.
• Moderate climate--not too hot or too cold.
• Liberal politics and social attitudes.

Here are the things I like about living in Seattle:

• Access to culture, natural beauty, and work opportunities
• Moderate climate--not too hot or too cold
• Liberal politics and social attitudes

There is an exception to putting periods after bullet points that complete the stem sentence: If they are one word or a short phrase that feels like an inventory or shopping list, do not use end punctuation. Below is an example:

I like living in Seattle because of its:

• Culture
• Natural beauty
• Work opportunities
• Moderate climate
• Liberal politics
• Social openness

I generally follow The Gregg Reference Manual's rules on punctuating bullets. However, Gregg also uses periods after bullets that are dependent clauses and long phrases.

Garner's Modern American Usage, a reference manual I respect and use, also inserts periods at the end of bullet points--if they begin with a capital letter. However, Garner notes:

"If you begin each item with a lowercase letter, put a semicolon at the end of each item, use and after the next-to-last item, and put a period after the last item."

The Chicago Manual of Style has pages of rules and examples of bullet points, but it agrees with the Garner style quoted above, calling the style "vertical lists punctuated as a sentence." Here is my example of that style:

It is my responsibility to [Garner uses a colon here but Chicago does not]

• provide participant prework questions for your roster of attendees;
• review participants' responses and writing samples; and
• customize the workshop to match individuals’ and the group’s needs.

To me, the style above is too fussy for business writing. It doesn't look crisp or energetic.

For more about those efficient chunks of text we use so often, read my post "Best Practices for Bullet Points."

If you would enjoy commenting on bullet point style, please do.

Lynn
Syntax Training

Comments

[David__Boughton]

These rules make sense, but what about that colon in the Seattle example? Shouldn't you leave it out after the word "its"?

You haven't used a complete sentence, so I would say you can't use a colon.

Also, how can you use a capital letter in that same situation if the points are a continuation of that sentence? (Access, Moderate, Liberal))

[Jeannette Paladino]

Glad you wrote about this. I've always wondered which way to go so have usually used bullet points. Now I know the difference. Thanks.

[Lynn Gaertner-Johnston]

Hi, David. We have several correct ways to handle bullet points. It is acceptable to use the colon in the example you mentioned, because the points are set off in a list. I follow "The Gregg Reference Manual" rules on colons.

As for the capitalization question, "The Chicago Manual of Style" agrees with you.

Thanks for dropping by.

Lynn

[Lynn Gaertner-Johnston]

Hi, Jeannette. I am glad you found these guidelines helpful.

Lynn

[Business Writing and Editing at Word Nerds]

Hi, Lynn.

We use a different style for bullet points in Australia. If providing business writing to the Australian market, see our linked blog post for an explanation. The style is based on minimal capitalization and punctuation.

Michael

[Lynn Gaertner-Johnston]

Hi, Michael. Thank you for referring us to your blog post with its excellent examples.

I was surprised to see the full stop only at the end of the final bullet when the items are fragments. That is a unique style. As you noted, writers will need to consider that style choice when writing to Australians.

Thanks for enlightening us.

Lynn

[Mutimba Mazwi]

Thanks for the informative piece. Two questions:
a) Where does the full stop go: behind the brackets or inside .) or .)?
b) And the question mark?
Regards,
Mutimba

[Lynn Gaertner-Johnston]

Hello, Mutimba. I am surprised I have not yet blogged on that topic. I will write a post to answer your questions soon.

Thank you for asking.

Lynn