Lists

Lists Within Sentences

Within a sentence, separate items in a list with commas or with semicolons if the items in the list include commas. See also the "Punctuation" page.

  • The roommates came from Boise, Idaho; Akron, Ohio; and Burnaby, British Columbia.

Numbered Lists

Introduce items in a vertical list with numbers only when the order matters. Otherwise, use bullets or other typographical symbols. If items are numbered, use a period after each number and capitalize the first word of each item. Follow the same end-punctuation guidelines as for bulleted lists. Avoid putting long sentences or a string of sentences in list form; rather, set them as numbered paragraphs.

If you are the first one to spot a fire:

  1. Close your office door behind you.
  2. Find and pull the nearest fire alarm.
  3. Leave the building via the nearest stairwell.

Bulleted Lists

Capitalize the first word of each item in a bulleted list. Use periods at the end of complete sentences. Do not use punctuation at the end of single words or phrases. Do not use semicolons at the end of list items.

Use parallel construction for items in a list. For example, begin each item with the same part of speech and use the same sentence structure, voice and verb tense. 

The text introducing a list may end with a period, colon or no punctuation, depending on the context (following and as follows require a colon). 

This course has several graded projects:

  • A midterm test
  • A final exam
  • A team project
  • A research paper
  • A weekly log for analyzing your field work

When you move to college for the first time, you usually:

  • Bring too many things for your dorm room
  • Forget a few essential items
  • End up sharing some items with your roommate

Apply these guidelines consistently to similar types of lists within a document or webpage. In print materials, use a full or partial line space before and after all vertical lists.