What do you capitalize in a bulleted list?

In most cases, experts recommend that you start each bulleted item with a capital letter. We're so programmed to capitalize only proper nouns and the first word of a complete sentence that it almost seems wrong to capitalize single words and phrases.

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Simply so, do you capitalize the first letter after a bullet point?

A capital letter typically marks the beginning of a sentence. If a list is introduced by a complete sentence, each bullet point needs to begin with a capital letter. This is why it is better to use a colon to introduce a list in which each item is a single word or consists of only two or three words.

Subsequently, question is, do you capitalize bullet points after a colon? When listing items one by one, one per line, following a colon, capitalization and ending punctuation are optional when using single words or phrases preceded by letters, numbers, or bullet points. If each point is a complete sentence, capitalize the first word and end the sentence with appropriate ending punctuation.

Keeping this in consideration, how do you punctuate a bulleted list?

Punctuating Bullet Points

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

How do you list things in a paragraph?

Format for Lists

1. Use a colon to introduce the list items only if a complete sentence precedes the list.
2. Use both opening and closing parentheses on the list item numbers or letters: (a) item, (b) item, etc.
3. Use either regular Arabic numbers or lowercase letters within the parentheses, but use them consistently.

Related Question Answers

What is a bulleted list?

A bulleted list or bullet list is a series of items preceded with symbols instead of numbers. Below is an example of such a list. Item one. Item two.

What is bullet point format?

Formatting with Bullets Points When using bullets, be consistent throughout the document with the formatting (e.g., capital letters and punctuation at the start and end of each bullet). Choose whatever format you like, but be consistent throughout your document.

How do you do bullet points?

First, you can follow these steps:

1. Position the insertion point where you want the bullet to appear.
2. Choose Symbol from the Insert menu.
3. Use the Font drop-down list to select the font you want to use for the bullet.
4. Double-click on the bullet character you want inserted.
5. Click on Close.

How do I write bullet points?

Best Practices for Bullet Points

1. Emphasize the beginning of the bullet point, as in this list, when the first few words capture the main idea.
2. Make bullet points consistent in structure.
3. Punctuate bullets consistently.
4. Avoid ending bullet points with semicolons.
5. Avoid making bullet points so long that they look like paragraphs.

Do you capitalize every word in a bulleted list?

In most cases, experts recommend that you start each bulleted item with a capital letter. We're so programmed to capitalize only proper nouns and the first word of a complete sentence that it almost seems wrong to capitalize single words and phrases.

Do I use periods in a bulleted list?

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.

Why are dot points used?

Bullet points are punctuation marks used to indicate a list of items. Definition from Oxford: 'Bullet points are used to draw attention to important information within a document so that a reader can identify the key issues and facts quickly.

Do you use commas in a bulleted list?

No need for any kind of punctuation for bulleted or numbered lists. Commas and semicolons are used to separate things to avoid confusion. If the items are in a list, they're already separated, so there's no way they can be confused, and so no need for anything. You only need commas and semicolons in a sentence.

What makes a complete sentence?

Sentences always begin with a capital letter and end in either a full stop, exclamation or question mark. A complete sentence always contains a verb, expresses a complete idea and makes sense standing alone. This is now a complete sentence, as the whole idea of the sentence has been expressed.

Do you capitalize bullet points?

If the text of your bullet point is a complete sentence (or multiple sentences), use capital letters and punctuation. Capitalization is a style choice—with sentence fragments, you can choose to start each with either upper- or lower-case letters.

Do you punctuate bullet points in a resume?

Skip the periods. Remember: Bullet points are often fragments rather than complete sentences. But if you choose to use a period for one phrase, use one for every bullet to maintain consistency and make your resume look more uniform and professional.

How do you create a bulleted list in Word?

To create a bulleted list:

1. Select the text you want to format as a list.
2. On the Home tab, click the drop-down arrow next to the Bullets command. A menu of bullet styles will appear.
3. Move the mouse over the various bullet styles.
4. The text will be formatted as a bulleted list.

What is a dot point?

noun. any of a number of items printed in a list, each after a centred dot, usually the most important points in a longer piece of text.

How do you make a bullet point on a Mac?

Press the keys "Option," "Shift" and "8" to insert a black bullet, which is hollow from the middle.

Do you write out numbers?

A simple rule for using numbers in writing is that small numbers ranging from one to ten (or one to nine, depending on the style guide) should generally be spelled out. Larger numbers (i.e., above ten) are written as numerals.

Do you capitalize after a colon?

Here's our suggestion: generally, the first word following the colon should be lower-cased if the words after the colon form a dependent clause (that is, if they could not stand on their own as a complete sentence). If the following phrase is a complete (independent) clause, you may choose to capitalize it or not.

What is the correct punctuation for a list?

• If the items in the list are single words or phrases with no internal punctuation, put a comma at the end of each item.
• If the items in the list are phrases or clauses with punctuation in them, put a semicolon at the end of each item.

Do you capitalize in a numbered list?

Capitalization. If your list item is a complete sentence, capitalize the first letter. If your list item isn't a complete sentence, you can choose whether or not to capitalize the first letter—it's a style choice.

How do I put bullet points in Excel?

How to add bullet points in Excel using Symbol menu

1. Select a cell where you want to add a bullet point.
2. On the Insert tab, in the Symbols group, click Symbol.
3. Optionally, select the font of your choosing in the Font box.
4. Select the symbol you'd like to use for your bulleted list and click Insert.